Richmond Catholic Diocese adds six priests to list of accused sexual abusers
The Catholic Diocese of Richmond on Thursday added six priests to a list of clergy accused of sexual abuse against a minor, bringing the total named to 49.
The additions come four months after Bishop Barry Knestout publicly named 43 priests he determined had credible accusations made against them. The move came in response to public outcry after a Pennsylvania grand jury report released last August found that at least 1,000 children were sexually abused by at least 300 Catholic clergy in the state.
“Back in February, when we published a list of clergy against whom there are credible and substantiated claims of child sexual abuse, we acknowledged the list would be updated,” Knestout said in a news release. “As we continue to engage with survivors of abuse and learn more about the history of our diocese, we continue our commitment to transparency. It is my sincere hope that the additions of these individuals will help provide healing for anyone who suffered at their hands.”
The six men named are Stanley F. Banaszek, Anthony M. Canu, Patrick J. Cassidy, Leonardo G. Mateo, Thomas D. Sykes and Vincent The Quang Nguyen. Five of the men have died, one of them this year. The diocese does not know where Nguyen is.
Five of them worked for religious orders and one, Cassidy, was a diocesan priest who had been assigned to nine churches throughout Virginia, including St. Paul in Richmond.
In February, the diocese had originally named 42 priests before adding one more name.
Becky Ianni, a leader of Virginia’s chapter of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, a group that advocates for abuse victims, said Thursday that she was pleased that the diocese is publicizing the names of additional accused abusers, but doesn’t think that the move go...
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director