Former Jacksonville bishops failed to report sexual abuse allegations, records show
The Diocese of St. Augustine told its parishioners in 2019 — for the first time — it knew of credible allegations against Fr. I-TEAM: St. Augustine Diocese says retired priest under investigation | Who are the 13 Diocese of St. Augustine priests credibly accused of sex abuse? The Diocese of St. Augustine would forward $3,000 every year to the Holy Ghost Order to be paid to Rev. Morgan and the pastor of his former parish at Cathedral Basilica St. Augustine Fr. Investigators said they found no children in “immediate danger” over the course of the two-year investigation but found problems in how the church has historically handled sex abuse allegations.
Retired priest, religion teacher accused of sexual relationship with teenager in 1977
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A retired Jacksonville priest and former religion teacher is under investigation over allegations he was in a sexual relationship with a teenager in 1977, police reports show. Father David Terrence Morgan, or Father Terry Morgan, was a 27-year-old religion teacher at Bishop Kenny High School at the time. The priest is accused of having a sexual relationship with the 17- or 18-year-old, lasting two to three months. The Diocese of St. Augustine told parishioners several months later -- the week of Christmas -- it was investigating multiple allegations against Morgan. The Diocese of St. Augustine refused to answer whether Morgan’s sabbatical coincided with the diocese becoming aware of allegations against the priest.
Who are the 13 Diocese of St. Augustine priests credibly accused of sex abuse?
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Top church officials in Northeast Florida published a list of 13 priests with credible allegations of sex abuse against them. All 13 have ties to the Diocese of St. Augustine, according to the Diocese, and are all either dead or were removed from ministry. The list released by the Diocese of St. Augustine included more names than the five previously reported by state prosecutors. Cornelius “Neil” Carr is one of the men identified in the Diocese of St. Augustine’s list of credibly accused. The Diocese of St. Augustine wrote Carr is alleged to have sexually abused a minor in 1991.
5 priests who worked in Diocese of St. Augustine were credibly accused of sexually abusing children
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – State investigators have named 97 priests who have been credibly accused of sexually abusing children within Florida’s Catholic churches. All of the cases were previously reported in the media following statements from the Diocese of St. Augustine or after lawsuits were filed. In March 2020, the Diocese of St. Augustine released a statement on Father Malone. The report also revealed 81 priests who were relocated to Florida after being credibly accused of sexual abuse in other parts of the country. Historically, authorities were not notified of abuse.”It’s still unclear how many of those relocated to the Diocese of St. Augustine.
Area Catholic schools push back school start dates due to PPE delays
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of St. Augustine on Thursday announced schools would begin the new school year on August 19, not August 10 as was previously planned. The schools affected include Bishop John Snyder High School, Bishop Kenny High School and St. Joseph Academy in St. Augustine, among others. The collection of schools is the latest in the area to postpone start dates due to COVID-19. Superintendent Decon Scott Conway said the schools are waiting for the delivery of sanitizing products, and instructional devices to upgrade the technology of the schools. We have had a few students test positive during our summer athletic workouts at the high school level, and we communicated with all parents and guardians regarding the positive tests.
Diocese of St. Augustine resumes public Mass
Catholic churches within the Diocese of St. Augustine reopened Sunday for Mass. A group of people waiting to go inside St. Pauls Catholic Church in Riverside waited patiently for the doors to open, 15 minutes before Mass began. It was the first time parishioners were allowed back into the church in weeks. He had with him a mask, which is required for all Catholic churches within the Diocese of St. Augustine. In addition, each church will offer additional services to accommodate parishioners, and Mass will continue to be streamed online.