Madison priest was set to escort young adults on Rome trip despite allegations of abuse
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Laura Schulte, September 4, 2025
Patricia Moriarty, left, speaks about an assault at the hands of Fr. Andrew Showers last year in Chicago. She is comforted by advocate Sarah Pearson, right. (Laura Schulte/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
MADISON – Despite reports of abuse involving a priest in the Madison Diocese, officials were planning to allow him to escort a group of young adults to Rome next year, according to the diocese’s social media.
Andrew J. Showers’ arrest in Clintonville last month on suspicion of child sex crimes came after the diocese had already received complaints about his behavior, including a report of an assault of a young woman in Chicago last year.
At a Sept. 4 media conference, Patricia Moriarty said Showers approached her and her friends at a social event, introduced himself as a priest, then groped her underneath her clothes before sharing his business card with her.
Moriarty’s father, John Moriarty, said he called the diocese at least five times reporting the abuse, but was unable to speak directly with Bishop Donald Hying. John Moriarty did reach someone at the diocese and reported the abuse, he said. The family reported the incident to the Chicago Police, who conducted an investigation.
Patricia Moriarty said she wanted to share her story after hearing of Showers’ arrest to hold the diocese accountable and show others they knew the priest had assaulted others before.
“I made the decision to share my story in hopes that others will feel empowered and encouraged to speak their truth as well,” she said. “In my experience, this decision was far from easy. It meant revisiting an experience that left me feeling powerless, that I knew staying silent would only protect those who are selfish and wrong.”
