Diocesan Review Board concludes Father Michael Duesterhaus
not credibly accused of child sexual abuse
July 24, 2019
Since
March 14, 2018, the Diocese of Arlington has provided announcements and updates
regarding allegations of child sexual abuse and other inappropriate conduct
against Father Michael Duesterhaus. Father Duesterhaus was placed on administrative leave pending investigations
conducted by local law enforcement agencies and the Diocese of Arlington.
On January 17, 2019, the Diocese of Arlington was informed
that the Stafford County Commonwealth Attorney was not pursuing criminal
charges against Father Duesterhaus. This followed previous decisions in other
jurisdictions that no criminal charges would be pursued.
The Diocese subsequently completed its own internal
investigation of all allegations involving Father Duesterhaus. The information
gathered during that investigation was presented to the Diocesan Review Board,
and the Review Board reported to Bishop Michael Burbidge its determination
that, based on the available evidence, a credible allegation of sexual abuse of
a minor had not been made against Father Duesterhaus. Bishop
Burbidge accepted the Diocesan Review Board’s determination.
Concerns of other inappropriate conduct have been addressed
with Father Duesterhaus, consistent with the diocesan Code of Conduct for
Clergy, after they were investigated and assessed.
In light of these decisions, Father Michael
Duesterhaus is no longer on administrative leave, and is once again permitted
to exercise public priestly ministry. For the time being, his assignment is to
complete graduate studies he had already begun.