Deceased priests found credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor by Richmond Diocese

The Catholic Diocese of Arlington has been notified that the Diocese of Richmond has recently determined allegations of sexual abuse of a minor against four priests to be credible. Two of those priests served in the current boundaries of the Diocese of Arlington: Rev. Leo Creamer and Rev. R. Dixon Beattie.

Fr. Creamer was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Richmond in 1944 and died in 1991. When the Diocese of Arlington was formed in 1974, he was then incardinated as a priest of the Diocese of Arlington. His assignments in Northern Virginia included St. Leo in Fairfax (1961), St. Mary in Alexandria (1963-64), St. Louis in Alexandria (1969-78), and St. Mary in Fredericksburg (1978-87).

The credible allegation against him involved an incident prior to his incardination in the Diocese of Arlington.

Fr. Beattie was ordained in 1934 and died in 1971, prior to the establishment of the Diocese of Arlington. However, his assignments included two parishes in the current boundaries of the Diocese of Arlington prior to its formation: St. Charles Borromeo (1941-47), and St. Ann (1947-68), where he was the founding pastor.

To read the public statement from the Diocese of Richmond, go to richmonddiocese.org.

The Diocese of Arlington encourages anyone who knows of any misconduct or abuse on the part of any cleric or employee of the Diocese to report it to the Virginia Attorney General hotline (VirginiaClergyHotline.com), and also to contact the diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator at (703) 841-2530. The diocesan child protection policy is online at arlingtondiocese.org/clergyabuse.

Bishop Burbidge asks all in the Diocese of Arlington to pray that, through the mercy and compassion of Our Lord, all victims of sexual abuse may find healing and consolation.