Pope Leo XIV dismisses deacon from the clergy for abuse

Pope Leo XIV has personally intervened in a particularly serious case of abuse and dismissed a permanent deacon from the clergy for sexualised violence against children. The judgement, which the man received in prison in Latina near Rome, is final and cannot be appealed, as the diocese of Latina-Terracina-Sezze-Priverno announced on its website on Tuesday.

The man is accused of sexually abusing five minors between 2018 and 2023. Three of them were pupils in his religious education classes, a fourth boy had been officially placed in his care and a fifth was the son of a family friend.

In view of the seriousness of the crimes committed, the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith decided to forward the decision directly to the Pope. The proceedings were conducted by the dicastery's disciplinary section, which is responsible for so-called "delicta graviora" - particularly serious offences such as clerical abuse of people under the age of 18.

Suspension at the beginning of 2023

At the end of January 2023, Bishop Mariano Crociata of Latina withdrew the teaching licence of the then deacon following a personal interview, accepted his resignation from the teaching profession and suspended him from his duties as a precautionary measure. At the same time, Crociata opened preliminary proceedings under canon law and forwarded the documents to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. The diocesan education authority had previously reported doubts about the man's suitability.

Permanent deacons are authorised, among other things, to administer the sacrament of baptism, lead services of the word and preach, including at mass. They may marry and bury people, but not preside at mass or hear confessions. Unlike priests, they can be married and have a family. (KNA)