The Diocese of Fall River (Massachusetts) announced on September 11 that it has restricted Monsignor Roger Landry, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, from the public exercise of priestly ministry after receiving complaints from several individuals regarding possible violations of the codes of conduct for priests. The priest has led the organization since July 2024, which channels missionary cooperation in the country under the Dicastery for Evangelization, and is a priest with notable public presence in American Catholicism.
The statement from the Diocese of Fall River, signed by Bishop Edgar Moreira da Cunha, indicates that the complaints come from several individuals and concern the codes of conduct of Fall River and the Archdiocese of New York, where Landry resided and served. The note specifies that none of the accusations involve minors and adds that the priest has requested a leave of absence from his position at the Pontifical Mission Societies. The diocese also recalls that Landry has the right to the presumption of innocence while the investigation continues.
The diocese maintains that, after an initial investigation conducted by the Archdiocese of New York and after consulting with it and with canonical advisors, there is sufficient evidence to restrict Landry from the public exercise of priestly ministry while the case is resolved. The restriction does not amount to a definitive canonical sanction: it is a precautionary measure adopted during the investigation.
Landry has released his own version of the events. The priest maintains that the accusations refer to alleged breaches of prudence, pastoral boundaries, and diocesan codes of conduct with adults. According to Landry, “there are no accusations of sexual activity of any kind” nor of misconduct with minors. “I maintain my innocence of any canonical violation or crime,” he stated, in his own translation, while assuring that he is cooperating with the investigation.
Continue reading at Infovaticana