Msgr Roger Landry, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies USA, has been suspended from public ministry and has taken a leave of absence from that role following a series of misconduct allegations, it was announced on Friday, September 11.
The allegations do not involve minors.
The announcement was made by the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, where Msgr Landry is incardinated as a priest. He has served outside the diocese since 2015 and currently lives in New York. From 2015 until 2022, he was an attaché to the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.
“Following an initial investigation conducted by the Archdiocese of New York, where Monsignor Landry’s ministry is based, the Diocese of Fall River, after consultation with the Archdiocese and canonical advisers, has determined that sufficient evidence exists to restrict him from the public exercise of priestly ministry, pending the resolution of this matter. This action is consistent with Diocese of Fall River policy,” said the release from the Diocese of Fall River.
Msgr Landry is entitled to the presumption of innocence while the investigation is ongoing, the diocese noted. Anyone with other allegations against Msgr Landry is encouraged to contact the diocese.
In a statement written on Friday by Msgr Landry and shared with the Catholic Herald, he described the leave of absence as “voluntary” and said he had taken it “for the sake of protecting the important work of the Pontifical Mission Societies USA as well as my own reputation as a priest”.
The violations against him, said Msgr Landry, “involve alleged violations of prudence, pastoral boundaries, and diocesan codes of conduct with adults”, and do not involve sexual activity or misconduct with a minor.
“I maintain my innocence of any canonical violation or crime and will continue to defend my reputation to the best of my ability under the law of the Church,” he said.
Those who have raised allegations against him “deserve to be heard”, said Msgr Landry, adding: “I am grateful that canon law respects my natural human right to be presumed innocent and the right to preserve the good reputation I have enjoyed throughout the many years the Lord has given me the privilege to serve Him and His holy people.”
Msgr Landry requested prayers for him and “all those concerned”, including Bishop Edgar Moreira da Cunha of Fall River, during the investigation and ecclesial process into the allegations.
The investigation, he said, “might take up to several months”, and he is “cooperating fully”.
“Please pray for those who have brought these accusations. Please pray for my colleagues at the Pontifical Mission Societies USA and their vital work in spreading the faith. And please pray for me and all those who will be carrying this Cross with me.”
