Priest in charge of sex crimes prosecution accused of hiding evidence

An American priest chosen by Pope Francis as the Vatican's sex crimes prosecutor in September has been reported to be among church officials who failed to report an abusive priest to law enforcement before the now-jailed and defrocked ex-priest committed other acts of sexual abuse.

The reports came after some documents were reviewed by the Boston Globe.

According to the Globe, Rev. Robert Geisinger, the second-highest-ranking leader of the Chicago Jesuits in the 1990s, knew as early as 1995 about abuse complaints against Rev. Donald McGuire, and he advised church officials as late as August 2002 on how to discipline McGuire.

Daily News reports that the newspaper cited legal documents including church records produced during lawsuits by McGuire’s victims.

Court documents also show that abuse complaints against McGuire date back to the 1960s, but the Jesuits failed for years to tell police.

84-year-old McGuire is currently in federal prison serving a 25-year sentence.

Daily news reports that the former spiritual adviser to Mother Theresa, who once commanded a worldwide following as a gifted teacher and philosopher, is considered one of the most influential figures convicted in the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse scandal.

However, Fr. Geisinger has declined to comment on the accusation, referring questions from the Associated Press to the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi.

Lombardi said in a statement that Geisinger has a “solid and proven record in child protection dating back nearly two decades.” Lombardi said that Geisinger, while serving with the Chicago Jesuits, “voiced concerns” about McGuire’s conduct and was the canon lawyer who prepared the case that led to McGuire’s dismissal from the clerical state.

“The Holy See fully expects Father Geisinger to continue to do an excellent job as Promoter of Justice, based on his prosecution record, his commitment to justice, and his concern for victims,” Lombardi said.

Meanwhile, David Clohessy, director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, released a statement Sunday urging Pope Francis to rescind the appointment of Geisinger as sex crimes prosecutor.

“Why on earth would Francis pick a priest with a problematic track record on abuse in the U.S. to deal with abuse worldwide?” Clohessy said. “Why choose one who so clearly and repeatedly refused to call the law or tell the truth about a notorious, now-imprisoned serial predator?”