Franciscans and Diocese Statements after Fr. David Morrier, who Worked at Franciscan University of Steubenville, is Removed from Public Ministry on Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
Franciscan Friars Third Order Regular of Saint Francis Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Minister Provincial
Media Advisory - Charges Filed Against Fr. David Morrier
April 9, 2021
Yesterday, the Third Order Regular Franciscans, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, learned that Fr. David Morrier, a member of the Province, was charged with one count of rape and two counts of sexual battery by a grand jury in Jefferson County (OH). The alleged charges occurred between November 2010 and the spring of 2013.
Fr. Morrier was removed from public ministry in 2015 due to allegations of sexual misconduct. He has not exercised public ministry since that time. Being removed from public ministry means that he has not publicly celebrated Mass or any sacraments. The Province has cooperated fully with the investigation into this matter.
The Province takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and urges anyone who has been a victim of sexual misconduct to call law enforcement officials immediately.
Office of the Minister Provincial
Franciscan Friars, TOR P. O. Box 137, Loretto, PA 15940-0137 Phone: (814) 419-8890 Fax: (814) 472-8992
Minister Provincial
Media Advisory - Charges Filed Against Fr. David Morrier
April 9, 2021
Yesterday, the Third Order Regular Franciscans, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, learned that Fr. David Morrier, a member of the Province, was charged with one count of rape and two counts of sexual battery by a grand jury in Jefferson County (OH). The alleged charges occurred between November 2010 and the spring of 2013.
Fr. Morrier was removed from public ministry in 2015 due to allegations of sexual misconduct. He has not exercised public ministry since that time. Being removed from public ministry means that he has not publicly celebrated Mass or any sacraments. The Province has cooperated fully with the investigation into this matter.
The Province takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and urges anyone who has been a victim of sexual misconduct to call law enforcement officials immediately.
Office of the Minister Provincial
Franciscan Friars, TOR P. O. Box 137, Loretto, PA 15940-0137 Phone: (814) 419-8890 Fax: (814) 472-8992
Source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lVMS2SM8y1oBliuayUPSLDiKHPhXxzGO/view?usp=sharing - http://www.franciscanstor.org/
DIOCESE OF STEUBENVILLE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Diocese Reacts to Franciscan Priest’s Indictment
The Jefferson County grand jury indicted Third Order Regular (TOR) of St. Francis
Father David A. Morrier on rape and sexual battery charges April 7.
The Steubenville Diocese first became aware of the case when the alleged victim
presented the allegations to the diocese in November, 2018. Although Father Morrier is not a
priest of the Steubenville Diocese, the diocese began an immediate preliminary investigation
with the alleged victim and officers with the Steubenville police department. The Diocese of
Steubenville submitted a report to the Minister General of the TOR’s in Rome as well as to the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Holy See on December 11, 2018. Since that
time, the diocese has continued to work with the Steubenville police department and has
provided updates on the investigation to the Holy See.
The Diocese of Steubenville takes allegations of abuse most seriously and encourages
victims of abuse to contact the local police department in whose jurisdiction the abuse occurred. Source: https://diosteub.org/
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