Here is the text of my letter, which was read at all DOK parishes the weekend of April 17 and 18:

 

My dear friends in Christ,

 

As the bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville, I want to apologize to you all. The sexual abuse of minors by anyone is a travesty of the greatest magnitude and is an abomination before God. Last Wednesday a report of sexual abuse was brought to our attention, and I want to outline the steps we took as soon as we learned of it.

On Wednesday morning, April 14, Warren Tucker met with our chancellor, Deacon Sean Smith, and a member of our Diocesan Review Board. Mr. Tucker accused Father Bill Casey, a retired priest of the Diocese of Knoxville, of sexually abusing him while Father Casey was pastor of St. Dominic Parish in Kingsport between 1975 and 1980. At that time St. Dominic was a part of the Diocese of Nashville.

Within two hours of learning of the allegations of sexual abuse, we immediately took a series of steps, according to the procedures outlined in our longstanding diocesan policy on sexual misconduct. This policy is available on our diocesan website. We notified the district attorney’s office and the police department in the jurisdiction in Tennessee where the offenses were said to have taken place as well as the jurisdiction where Father Casey currently resides. That evening I met with Father Bill Casey, and he admitted that there was credibility to Mr. Tucker’s statement. Father Casey is ashamed of his actions and truly saddened by the harm he has caused Mr. Tucker, his family, the Church, and its faithful.

On Thursday morning I held a press conference at the Chancery to inform the community of our findings and to ask the media’s help in disseminating news of this case so that if there are other victims, they may also courageously step forward so that healing can begin.

As bishop of the Catholic Church of East Tennessee, I want to apologize to Mr. Tucker, his family, and to anyone else who may have been harmed by Father Casey or by anyone in authority in the Diocese of Knoxville. I applaud Mr. Tucker and all the brave men and women—the victims and their families—for seeking healing and justice, and I strongly encourage any victim of abuse to come forward.

As your shepherd, I want to assure you that we have acted swiftly to remove Father Casey from ministry and that he will never again function as a priest in the Catholic Church.

I know that you look to the Church for guidance and support. You have a right to expect your children to be safe at church and at school. And so, when we hear details of individuals abusing and molesting children, we are horrified, repulsed, and even heartbroken. Some of you may feel as though you have lost your faith in God and in the Church, in the midst of these difficult circumstances. It is my prayer that you will not allow the emotions of the moment to sway your thoughts, beliefs, and most of all, your faith.

I also want to publicly address my good and faithful brother priests. Every time an incident of sexual abuse involving a priest comes to light, it is like a punch in the gut to us. It brings us to our knees in sorrow, prayer, and penance—profound sorrow and prayer for the victim. These are our children too, and we hurt for the victims and their families. I also hurt for my brother priests who will once again have doubts about how people will look at them and what people will think. The abuse of children is not a problem that is limited to priests or caused by celibacy. It is a widespread problem in our society, and we must face it together.

I ask you to join me in praying for all victims of abuse throughout the world. I also ask you to pray for Father Casey. God’s mercy knows no bounds, but for Father Casey, who must now answer to the justice that is due, we pray that his own prayers and penance will bring divine assistance in bringing healing to the victims and to our local Church.

In conclusion, know that as I pray the Divine Office each morning and evening, I will be praying for all of you, that you will receive God’s healing embrace, his comfort, and his peace.

Sincerely in Christ,


Most Reverend Richard F. Stika


Bishop of Knoxville