Exclusive: Prince William, Fredericksburg priests accused of sexual misconduct

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY — Three priests who served in Prince William County are suspected of sexually abusing minors, according to the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, which encompasses Catholic parishes in Prince William County and Fredericksburg.

Reverend Kevin Downey, O.F.M., served as Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Triangle from July 2011 to May 2016.

According to a statement from Franciscan Friars Holy Name Province in New York from April 2017, Reverend Downey was placed on a leave of absence in May of 2016. Downey was accused of abuse outside of the Arlington Diocese, though it’s unclear where it allegedly occurred.

Father William J. Erbacher served at Sacred Heart Catholic Church near Dale City from 1993 to 1997. He’s been accused of sexual abuse of a minor in 1974 when he was serving at Brothers of the Holy Eucharist church in Louisiana, according to the Diocesan website. The Arlington Diocese was not aware of the allegations when he was made an ordained priest in 1987.

Erbacher was removed from active ministry in 2001. In 2010, he was directed to live a life of prayer and penance. Since then, Erchacher has been banned from Mass, administering sacraments, or wearing clerical attire to represent the church.

When asked about the time between 2001 and 2010, when Erbacher removed from ministry to then being directed to live a life of prayer and penance, Catholic Diocese of Arlington spokeswoman Angela Pellerano states, “In canon law cases, the process of gathering evidence, assembling the case, and deliberation and resolution by the [Vatican] can be time-consuming.”

Father Andrew W. Krafcik also served at Sacred Heart from 1991 to 1996 and retired from the church. He was removed from the ministry in 2002 and then defrocked two years later.

Father Tran Dinh Nhi served at Holy Family Catholic Church in Dale City from  2000 to 2005. He is accused of sexually assaulting a minor in 2006 and was removed from the ministry, according to the diocese. A review board found the accusation of sexual abuse against him was credible, though Nhi denies it.

“He remains removed from public ministry pending a final determination of his canonical status,” a press release states.

In Fredericksburg, three priests who served at Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church are accused of sexual abuse of minors. Father Christopher Buckner is accused in a 2007 incident and has since been removed from public ministry, according to a press release.

A review board found the accusation credible. Since then Buckner has fallen ill and was allowed to retire.

Father John J. Munley served at Saint Mary’s from 1987 and died in 1995. The date of the abuse is not being provided by the Arlington Diocese in order to protect the victim.

Reverend Robert Hermley, OSFS, also served at St. Mary’s in Fredericksburg from 1991 to ’92 and was accused of abuse that occurred outside the Diocese. The church declined to provide further details. “To avoid unintentionally revealing personal information regarding victims, we feel it is best to not publicize this information,” Pellerano wrote in an email to Potomac Local.

No priest who is still practicing in active ministry has been credibly accused of sexual abuse, the Diocese says.

Anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse should contact local law enforcement.