Houston, Texas, Jun 5, 2019 / 16:06 pm
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston disputed reports that Cardinal Daniel DiNardo mishandled a sexual abuse claim against a priest, and denied that the archdiocese had ever received reports that the accused priest violated canon law regarding the sacrament of penance.
"The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston categorically rejects the unprofessional, biased and one-sided reporting contained in today's Associated Press story headlined 'The Reckoning.' At each step in this matter, Cardinal DiNardo has reacted swiftly and justly - and has always kept the welfare of the Pontikeses in mind. A number of the quotes attributed to the Cardinal are an absolute fabrication," the archdiocese said in a June 4 statement.
The statement was a response to a June 4 story from the Associated Press, which reported the claims of a Texas woman, Laure Pontikes.
Pontikes said that DiNardo permitted his former vicar general, who she says sexually coerced her, to transfer to another diocese and continue in ministry, after she was promised that he would not be permitted to serve as a pastor.