April 12: Bishop statement on fatal shooting at Austin-East HS, September 22:Diocese distributes $123,000 for charitable outreach He has since been forced to refile his lawsuit under his legal name but Knox News is not naming him as he alleges he was a victim of a sexual assault. Twitter@tyler_whetstone. July 12: Diocese of Knoxville Schools receive reaccreditation David Clohessy, former executive director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said the diocese's statements regarding the bishop's involvement with the board is "an enormous stretch, if not absurd and laughable. Shelton is one of two priests who had documents subpoenaed for thelawsuit brought by a former church employee who has accused a former seminarian of raping him. We have searched our records and have no way to verify if an officer did speak with the plaintiff in the lawsuit," Knoxville Police Department spokesperson Scott Erland said in a statement Wednesday. The Catholic Diocese of Knoxville has asked a judge to allow it to keep secret internal documents as it defends itself in an explosive sexual abuse lawsuit. He cited health problems as a key reason. Stika has brazenly violated multiple provisions of the pope's key accountability law, Vos Estis Lux Mundi. July 16:Vietnamese Catholic community established in Chattanooga Knoxville Catholic Diocese, Bishop Stika accused of rape cover - WVLT Offices And Ministries - Diocese of Knoxville - Knoxville, TN Bishop Richard Stika authorized the Diocese of Knoxville to pay nearly $50,000 in private university tuition and living expenses for a former seminarian he knew had been accused of rape. Catholics all across East Tennessee woke up to the news that Bishop Richard Stika had resigned, a seismic shift in church leadership that was beginning to look inevitable the longer Stika hung on. Second lawsuit against Knoxville diocese:Knoxville Catholic diocese accused of improper sexual abuse investigation, lawsuit alleges, Lawsuit against Nashville diocese:Judge sentences former Catholic Sunday school teacher for abuse at Murfreesboro parish, The complaint against Punnackal states the priest locked the adult female plaintiff in a room on Feb. 17, 2020 and "fondled her breasts and buttocks.". Knoxville diocese worked to intimidate victim, federal lawsuit says High-ranking Catholic clergy conducted a fact-finding visit to the Diocese of Knoxville late last year, three sources confirmed to Knox News, as two lawsuits targeting the local church over its handling of sex abuse allegations are ongoing. Make our community, our society and our republic stronger by supporting robust local journalism. 'You represent God': In Knoxville diocese, a kayaker and a bassist The diocese argues it needs protection specifically because of the continued publicity that this litigation has garnered over the past year most recently exhibited by the multitude of articles published by the Knoxville News Sentinel over the past month., Jim Wogan, diocesan spokesperson, told Knox News in an email the diocese is only seeking to protect "a very, very small percentage of the total materials provided" and "would not restrict the use of the materials in litigation., Documents and communications of its sexual assault review board. Together, we pray for an openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit during this time of transition for the Diocese of Knoxville. Unpacking NCAA's verdict on Tennessee, Jeremy Pruitt and why the Vols can finally move on, Casey Pruitt avoids penalties in Tennessee NCAA recruiting scandal, Tennessee football updates as NCAA punishment announced for Jeremy Pruitt, The week in politics: Why Nashville tourism group wants action on guns, How Dr. Keith Gray plans to build patient trust as UT Medical's leader, It's really hot. High-ranking Catholic authorities scrutinize Knoxville diocese amid sex A priest who is a witness in the lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville suddenly left his Oak Ridge parish after he was told he was likely to be transferred to another parish. Father Resen's retirement was among several moves announced by Bishop Richard F. Stika in June that take effect this summer and will impact seven diocesan parishes. Tyler Whetstoneis an investigative reporter focused on accountability journalism. The pope's practice to date has been to stay silent when a guilty bishop is finally forced from office. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) A former Catholic Diocese of Knoxville employee is suing Bishop Richard Stika and the diocese over an alleged rape coverup. Church watchdogs said Sheltons pending removal was retaliation for standing up to Stika in recent years. Antony Devassey Punnackal, of St. Mary's Catholic Church, groped her while he counseled her after the death of the father of her infant. Healing starts with the priests. They sought intervention by a Vatican representative, records show, in the fall of 2021. She tried to show Punnackal a memorial video of her child's father, but the priest was uninterested. Diocese of Knoxville - Latest news - Catholic News Agency Stika's decision . A number of priests grew increasingly frustrated and offended by Stika's leadership, records show. By so doing, Pope Francis has functioned as a collaborator, not as a leader., Co-founder of Road to Recovery, a sex abuse survivors advocacy agency in New Jersey. June 7:Catholic Charities hires Lisa Healy as chief operating officer During Tuesday's mass, Iorio invoked the Golden Rule at least four times, clearly trying to drive home a point. K noxville Catholics lost their bishop this week and gained an apostolic administrator after Bishop Richard Stika announced Pope Francis had accepted his resignation June 27. Iorio said he would have liked to celebrate a mass of thanksgiving for Stika. Around 6:30 a.m. June 27 , the Rev. The complaints, which came from both priests and laity in Al Humbrecht's cell phone buzzed with a new text message from a fellow priest in the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville.. "And I shared this with him in a loving way directly because scripture says that we need to go to the person if we disagree. Stika later told a group of priests the allegations against the former seminarian were boundary issues," but that description is not supported by the report from the seminary. Its likely, Connell said, that the Vos Estis reports about Stika are what prompted a visit to the diocese last fall by high-ranking church officials. The Chancery, Diocese of Knoxville 805 S. Northshore Drive Knoxville, TN 37919 Phone: 865-584-3307 Fax: 865-584-7538 Experts in church law told Knox News its not typical to require people to sign nondisclosure agreements to speak to high-ranking clergy, and the move is not supported by church law. Parks & Rec funding up, new Lonsdale park moves forward. August 9:Catholic bishops issue statement on pending execution Follow him on Twitter @tyler_whetstone. January 3:Diocese to host pre-Lenten retreat and conferences: Renowned spiritual author Father Jacques Philippe to speak, December 6:Bishop Richard F. Stika released from hospital She said the diocese worked to discredit and intimidate her after she said she was sexually assaulted in 2020 by a Gatlinburg priest. Theres a sense of relief and in one sense, a sense of a kind of positive sense. The visit - known as an apostolic visitation - was headed by . In addition, I am disappointed that Stika was allowed to resign, rather than removed from his position by the Vatican and charged with canonical crimes. An unnamed plaintiff is suing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville and its bishop, alleging the diocese did not properly investigate sexual abuse allegations against a former employee. Father Antony D.Punnackal, the priest who is also a defendant in the suit,is on suspension from his role as pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Gatlinburg after agrand jury indicted him in January on charges related tothe same incident. Here is a look at the findings of Knox News investigation. Employment Opportunities. One of the plaintiff's attorneys, Patrick Thronson, said in an interview Wednesday he is not aware of any criminal investigations related to this case. It is about time that Bishop Richard Stika resigned and relieved the parishioners of the Diocese of Knoxville his autocratic and corrupt practices, Hoatson said in an email to Knox News. The diocese is comprised of four deaneries: Chattanooga, Cumberland Mountain, Five Rivers, and Smoky Mountain. Bishop Stika at Father Peter Iorio's installation in 2020. Pope Francis should have removed Stika long ago when complaints from his priests began pouring into the Vatican, she said in an emailed statement to Knox News. Our position is he absolutely has and continues to maintain his innocence through this whole thing, Punnackal attorney Michael Green told Knox News. Why does producer Eduardo Verstegui consider Sound of Freedom success a miracle? Follow him on Twitter @tyler_whetstone. The 46-page complaint against the Knoxville diocese devotes 10 pages to alleged abuse committed by a diocesan employee against the plaintiff. Simply put, Doyle said, something had to trigger the apostolic visitation.. The Diocese. Judge denies protective order request in Knoxville Diocese lawsuit Diocese of Knoxville on Twitter: "RT @cnalive: On July 14, the Church His actions are deliberate and self-serving moves that are hurtful to his flock and his priests., Canon lawyer and priest in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee with a long history of supporting abuse victims. The diocese has said it can't comment because of litigation. In the course of reporting on the lawsuits, Knox News has published a number of articles detailing different aspects of how the diocese has, and has not, held itself accountable. "In my discernment it is a sweet day because Bishop Stika has resigned," he said. Attorney for John Doe who sued the diocese claiming Stika interfered with an investigation and worked to discredit him after he alleged a former seminarian raped him. In a letter to Saint Louis University in Missouri viewed by Knox News, Stika confirmed the diocese would pay $48,258 for the 2021-22 school year. July 21:Diocese of Knoxvilleresponds to lawsuit: Bishop issued letter to clergy, staff The dismissal was explained in a letter from the president-rector of Saint Meinrad Seminary to Stika dated March 1, 2021. July 6:Notre Dame High School announces new leadership hires ThatKnox County lawsuit alleges the diocese mishandled an investigation into claims that one of Stika's assistants raped a musician working for The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville. March 5:Bishop issues coronavirus directive for Masses in diocese The Diocese of Knoxville announced Thursday it has reinstated one of its deacons who was suspended in July following an allegation of inappropriate behavior with a child. All rights reserved. Pope Francis should now publicly state the reasons for Stika's removal, she continued. The grand jury indicted Punnackal on one count of sexual battery and one count of sexual battery by an authority figure, according to records included withthe lawsuit. The lawsuit quotes several articles published byThe Pillar. Documents related to Vos Estis,' and why its important. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (ChurchMilitant.com) - A Tennessee diocese is entangled in a web of conflicting statements and infractions against the Dallas Charter in its handling of a clergy sex abuse. Shelton left without my knowledge and permission, Stika wrote. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - A lawsuit filed in Knox County alleges that the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville and its Bishop, Richard Stika, failed to stop the rape of an employee then attempted to cover the incident up. Punnackal eventually unlocked the door and the woman fled. Whats more, the dioceses lawyer also is a member of the review board, meaning the same person is simultaneously defending the diocese and conducting what's supposed to be an independent investigation into the allegation. Such an allegation, true or not, could cause problems for the womans pending asylum claim, and the investigator knew this, the lawsuit says. One June day in 2021, priests of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville convened in a Gatlinburg, Tennessee, hotel conference room. Phillips has been the lawyer for the diocese since 2010, according to his online resume. April 13: Diocese announces new president for Notre Dame HS Stika declined, via a diocesan spokesperson, to say whether he still thinks nearly two years later that John Doe is a predator and someone who groomed the seminarian for abuse. "The feeling among our priests (was) that they were afraid of retribution, they were afraid to really come out and help us in any way publicly," Higgins said. I guess I would argue its worse, Stikas behavior, he told Knox News. April 15:Bishop Richard F. Stika issues statement on Notre Dame Cathedral fire These lawsuits cracked open the inner workings of the diocese. Two people who played key roles in a review by the diocese into whether a seminarian raped a diocesan employee in 2019 told Knox News that Stika interfered by firing the investigator, independently confirming allegations that are detailed in a lawsuit by the man who says he was sexually assaulted. Subscribe online atknoxnews.com/subscribe. March 15:Cathedral dedication stone visits area parishes It also makes several allegations about the bishop overreaching in an investigation of abuse claims, using information reported last year by anews agency. The plaintiffs in all three cases are unnamed. Higgins, who had sought his replacement, said Stika covered up allegations against the seminarian, an accusation Stika told 10News was untrue. "Ward's double roles as review board member and diocesan attorney raise doubt about all of the board's decisions during his tenure," Barrett Doyle said. What we know about the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville - Yahoo Nine days later, a Knoxville diocese sexual assault review board member wrote to the victims assistance coordinator about the rape allegation, and the review board began investigating at the end of the month. 4:28 PM 7 min read Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on WhatsApp Share via Email A Vatican-ordered apostolic visitation will be conducted in the Diocese of Knoxville next week, several sources close to the diocese told The Pillar. The plaintiff contends he was subject to a pattern of grooming and details one instance on Feb. 5, 2019, when the plaintiff said theformer employee raped him, according to the lawsuit. The bishop left under the cover of darkness. Knoxville Diocese Caught in Contradictions Over Sex Abuse - Church Militant 2023 www.knoxnews.com. Stika, who turns 66 next week, and the Vatican announced Tuesday he was retiring. Theres likely nothing illegal about Wards placement on the board and his role as lawyer for the diocese, she said, but it could be a conflict of interest. The Rev. Follow him on Twitter @tyler_whetstone. It makes sense, then, Connell said, that the Vatican gave approval for the apostolic visit that took place the last week of November. Diocese of Knoxville on Twitter: "Save the date for #iGiveCatholic 2023 Records reviewed by WBIR show only the seminarian was interviewed; he portrayed his relationship with the musician as a friendship in which the musician became sexually aggressive toward him. Apostolic Administrator; . The Diocese of Knoxville was established on Sept. 8, 1988, out of the 36 eastern counties of the Diocese of Nashville. While Knoxvilles diocese names the board members, many dioceses do not, the AP found. Apostolic visitations often area signal that church leaders are concerned about a matterand gives them a chance to speak directly with people involved. She has spent time at intake facilities and temporarily gave up custody of her kids to the state, according to the lawsuit. She is in the process of recovering custody of her children," the complaint said. The priest reportedthe bishopscomments in a May 2021 email to a Louisville priest who was investigating the diocese on behalf of the archbishop in Louisville, who oversees the Knoxville diocese. The diocese also hired an investigator to look into the allegations and, after obtaining her employment documents, contacted police and told them the woman had committed employment fraud by working under a false name and asked for her to be arrested, the lawsuit says. This is the reality when you have an institution who perpetrated and enabled abuse for centuries acting as the primary investigator into these cases. In Knoxville diocese, a kayaker and a bassist prepare for the leap to priesthood He heard lots of talk about being saved this experience of great emotion but he couldn't pinpoint any such. The AP found it wasnt unusual for a diocese to place an attorney on one of these review boards, an immediate potential conflict of interest because the same person who handles abuse cases for the church could be hearing victims allegations. I think these review boards are rife with conflicts of interest, but this one seems more blatant and egregious than Ive ever seen, said David Clohessy, former executive director of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. Knoxville Diocese ready to move on after bishop's tumultuous tenure In details laid out in the lawsuit, the woman describes Punnackal's actions: Punnackal admitted in a court response to being alone with the woman on that day for a grief counseling meeting, butdenied he assaulted her. The Chancery, Diocese of Knoxville 805 S. Northshore Drive Knoxville, TN 37919 Phone: 865-584-3307 Fax: 865-584-7538 Subscribe online atknoxnews.com/subscribe. Tyler Whetstoneis an investigative reporter focused on accountability journalism. News Eucharistic Revival Avivamiento Eucharistico The History of the Diocese of Knoxville Cause of Sainthood for Father Patrick Ryan Ministries The Diocese Delegate of the Apostolic Administrator Office of Chancellor & Chief Operating Officer Office of the Chief Financial Officer Office of Stewardship & Strategic Planning Priests in the diocese had reached the point where they felt they couldn't say what they thought, Higgins said. Tyler Whetstoneis an investigative reporter focused on accountability journalism. Diocese of Knoxville: What to know about investigations and lawsuits If that's what occurred, either Archbishop Joseph Kurtz (the former bishop of Knoxville) or new Archbishop Shelton Fabre reported their findings to the Vatican. Antony Devassey Punnackal, of St. Mary's Catholic Church, groped her while he counseled her after the death of the father of her infant. The Diocese of Knoxville is undergoing a time of transition following the resignation of Bishop Richard F. Stika, who served the diocese as bishop for 14 years and announced his retirement on June 27. Follow him on Twitter @tyler_whetstone. Punnackal made advances in at least one of these meetings but was rebuffed. Yes, there are no reports that he himself assaulted or molested anyone. A spokesperson for the diocese declined to comment on the substance of the lawsuit. He becomes bishop emeritus. Or if I find out a board member is now in court defending an accused (priest) of the diocese then Im certainly not going to go to the church. Stika approved the new document that included changes to the review . Our client brought and maintained this lawsuit in the face of years of what we allege was severe intimidation and defamation. News Knoxville diocese accused of concealing sexual abuse investigation Stephanie A. December 16: Diocese partners with McNabb Center on sexual assault reporting The nondisclosure requirement was confirmed by three people with direct knowledge of the discussions. In a. December 5:Bishop Richard F. Stika resting after heart procedure All Rights Reserved. John Doe was a placeholder name in the lawsuit to protect the identity of a former church employee whoalleged a diocesan seminarian raped him. https://bit.ly/44n8y9j "Antony opened his heart to have a true missionary experience, to listen to the Lord, and to follow," Stika said in a 2017 article commemorating Punnackal's 25th year in the priesthood. And we think the public deserves more transparency as it relates to investigating survivors' allegations and bishop behavior. Unpacking NCAA's verdict on Tennessee, Jeremy Pruitt and why the Vols can finally move on, alleges the Rev. In a filing made April 11, the diocese did not dispute Stika's comments, saying they accurately reflected his opinion and understanding of the underlying circumstances and events based upon the information that was available to him at the time.. June 18:Bishop Stika issues statement on church shooting, The Chancery, Diocese of Knoxville Instead of the rabbit holes and distractions, Humbrecht told Knox News. Not naming the former employeeas a defendant in the suit "is certainly not any indication that we believe hes not responsible," Thronson said. August 11:Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz to attend cathedral Dedication Mass But this silence is inconsistent with the transparency he has promised. Later in the complaint, the plaintiff contends the diocesedid not properly investigate allegations of abuse, citingseveral news articles published by The Pillar last year about the controversy. Embattled Tennessee Bishop Resigns After Priest Complaints, Abuse The Rev. Stika, through a diocesan spokesperson, did not dispute the priest's recounting but declined to comment on "private conversations.". At the same time, however, I must voice my disappointment that Pope Francis did not proactively remove Bishop Stika from the office of Bishop of Knoxville, rather than allowing Stika the appearance of a graceful resignation. Another priest, the Rev. A spokesperson for the church said no complaints were made in the interim. The judge declined the church's request last summer but gave it the opportunity to revisit the request. Such an allegation, true or not, could cause problems for the womans asylum claim, and the investigator knew this, the lawsuit says. Knoxville diocese asks judge to allow it to keep documents - Yahoo News In Stika's account, the man is a predator who sexually abused the seminarian, according to new details included in a lawsuit by the alleged victim. Antony Devassey Punnackal, of St. Mary's Catholic Church, groped her, Knoxville priest: Bishop Richard Stika threatened to resign over former seminarian, Diocese says bishop wasn't on sex abuse review board, but evidence says he was in the loop, Knoxville seminarian accused of rape was booted from seminary over sexual harassment, Knoxville bishop authorized university tuition payment for ex-seminarian accused of rape, Faced with transfer, key witness in sex assault lawsuit against diocese leaves his parish, Bishop Richard Stika announced in a letter, lawsuit brought by a former church employee who has accused a former seminarian of raping him, Knoxville bishop admits to telling priests sex abuse victim was a predator, Knoxville priests wrote scathing letter about Bishop Stika as last resort in 2021, Priests had to sign NDAs to talk to bishops during diocese investigation, during a fact-finding visit by high-ranking church officials, In homily on sin, priest makes false claim about Knox News reporting, ongoing reporting on two separate sexual assault complaints, Knoxville diocese asks judge to keep documents secret, cites Knox News reporting, from private meetings of priests of the Diocese., related to complaints filed against Bishop Richard Stika, New filing claims Bishop Stika said John Doe was 'predator', required John Doe to refile under his legal name, Knoxville diocese argued John Doe should be named, Sources: High-ranking Catholic authorities scrutinize Knoxville bishop, officials received an apostolic visit late last year, a signal that church leaders are concerned about a matter, Sources: Bishop Stika interfered with the churchs investigation, Stika interfered by firing the investigator, named in the explosive sexual abuse lawsuit, made the churchs sexual abuse review board meetings much more secretive, Knoxville diocese used top priest to take sex abuse complaints, not therapist, the diocese leaders replaced the person with a top church official, The lawyer for the diocese held conflicting roles, the dioceses lawyer also is a member of the review board, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. February 21:Diocese of Knoxville will assist media during Dedication Week, August 28:Catholic parishes to help Hurricane Harvey victims Priests are known to speak mostly behind closed doors about church issues. For the sake of the victims harmed by Stika, we urge the pope to publicly condemn Stika's appalling, repeated abuse of his authority., Former executive director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. From there, Punnackal fondled her breasts and buttocks. That lawsuit is on hold while the priest, Antony Punnackal, faces prosecution for sexual battery in Sevier County. February 28:Cathedral dedication stone visits area parishes Lawyer for Knoxville Catholic diocese held conflicting roles in sex Do to others what you would want them to do to you.". 805 S. Northshore Drive News - Diocese of Knoxville For roughly 10 months after the death of the dioceses longtime victim assistance coordinator, the diocese leaders replaced the person with a top church official, not a licensed therapist. Knoxville Catholic diocese, Gatlinburg priest sued for sexual assault The woman "rebuffed Punnackal but he continued his assault," said the complaint. The churchs Diocesan Review Board was created to review sexual misconduct and assault allegations within the church, but the board failed to properly investigate the case, the lawsuit alleges. In a Feb. 12 homily on sin, a high-ranking clergyman of the Knoxville Catholic diocese condemned Knox News for itsongoing reporting on two separate sexual assault complaintsagainst the church and the dioceses efforts to obstruct the investigations and intimidate the alleged victims. Punnackal was later indicted by a Sevier County grand jury on two counts of sexual battery. Church knew about teacher's texts to girl he's charged with assaulting In a statement, diocesan spokesperson Jim Wogan said, the diocese is confident that no conflicts exist under the facts of the case.. It's pending. The Catholic Diocese of Knoxville has asked a judge to allow it to keep secret internal documents as it defends itself in an explosive sexual abuse lawsuit.