Since May of 2019, the Lepanto Institute has been spotlighting the Diocese of Arlington’s handling of possible false allegations leveled against one of its priests. In November of 2018, Fr. Ronald Escalante, pastor of St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Purcellville, VA, was removed from his parish due to an alleged “boundary violation.” This past May, the Lepanto Institute published an article with interviews of parishioners who made multiple attempts to give important information to the … [Read more...]
Did Arlington Diocese Ignore Key Evidence of Possible False Allegation Against Priest?
Evidence obtained by the Lepanto Institute sheds new light on an ongoing investigation led by the Diocese of Arlington into one of its priests. A statement and cover letter sent to the diocese in early April indicate that the diocese may have ignored vital evidence regarding an alleged victim accusing the priest of improper conduct.In November of 2018, Fr. Ronald Escalante, pastor of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Purcellville, Virginia, was removed from his parish without … [Read more...]