Tuesday, February 9, 2010

ARCHDIOCESE — Glenmary Father Robert F. Poandl was indicted by a West Virginia grand jury last week on charges associated with an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor. He was released on bond and awaits trial.

On June 9, 2009, Father Dan Dorsey, president of Fairfield-based Glenmary Home Missioners, received the allegation against Father Poandl. The misconduct reportedly occurred in the early 1990s in West Virginia. The allegations were made by a man who currently resides in Cincinnati.

Father Poandl denied and continues to deny the allegation. According to the protocols and directives outlined in Glenmary’s Policies for Maintaining Ethical Ministry With Minors, Father Dorsey reported the allegation to the respective county attorneys for Butler and Hamilton counties in Ohio and the county attorney for Roane County, W.Va., the location of the alleged misconduct.
 
Father Poandl, a New Jersey native, was removed from his ministry assignment as pastor of three of Glenmary’s missions in Georgia: St. Christopher, Claxton; Holy Cross, Pembroke; and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Sand Hill. Since June 10, he has been living at Glenmary headquarters in Fairfield and has not been permitted to function publicly as a Catholic priest.

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and the Diocese of Savannah were informed of the allegation.

“This is a very difficult, painful time for everyone associated with this case,” Father Dorsey said. As the case has now entered the West Virginia judicial system, “We await a just decision based on the facts of the case,” Father Dorsey said. “It’s my hope and prayer that God’s love and guidance will help all those affected by this accusation find peace.”