The Diocese of Toledo announced it is placing a priest on administrative leave because of an allegation he sexually abused a minor more than 25 years ago.
In a media release Saturday, Toledo Bishop Daniel Thomas said the Rev. Nelson Beaver was placed on leave as a precautionary step while law enforcement and church officials investigate the accusation. During that time, Father Beaver will not be allowed to continue duties as the pastor of Resurrection Parish in Lexington, Ohio, and St. Mary of the Snows Parish in Mansfield, Ohio.
“The allegation was not made in relation to these parish assignments,” Bishop Thomas wrote. “He is no longer residing at those parishes while on administrative leave.”
Father Beaver has denied the allegation, which is the only one filed against him, Bishop Thomas wrote in the relese. Information about the accusation was turned over to law enforcement and the diocese is also conducting an independent investigation, which will also be turned over to law enforcement, he said.
"We take every allegation of abuse of a minor with the utmost seriousness,” Bishop Thomas said. “Administrative leave is a first, precautionary step that safeguards and protects children while we start a canonical process of determining whether the allegation can be substantiated and whether a priest should remain in ministry."
A call to the diocese Saturday was not returned. The release does not make clear how church leaders learned of the allegation, where and when the alleged sex abuse occurred, and which law enforcement agency the diocese contacted. The release did note that the diocese extended “an offer of pastoral care” to the person who reported the allegation.
Claudia Vercellotti, a leader of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, sharply criticized the diocese and Bishop Thomas for sending the release on a weekend afternoon and the vague wording of the release — particularly when he wrote that the allegation was the only one made against Father Beaver.
“He can’t know that,” Ms. Vercellotti said. “The wording in this release creates a culture of shaming and secrecy and silence, and it makes it difficult for victims to think about coming forward when they’re made to believe that this is an isolated incident that no one knew about.
“Virtually every victim, including myself, has been told they were the only one. Only later did we learn that wasn’t the truth.”
Father Beaver has served some stints in Toledo, including in 1979 at Blessed Sacrament Parish, moving in 1981 to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, and eventually in 2004 at St. Hyacinth Parish until the summer of 2005.
Anyone who wishes to submit an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest, deacon, or anyone else affiliated with the Diocese of Toledo is asked to report it to law enforcement and to the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator at 419-214-4880. The dean of the area is expected to inform Father Beaver’s parishioners and offer all weekend masses at Resurrection and St. Mary of the Snows parishes. In addition, counselors are being made available during all weekend services.
First Published October 13, 2018, 9:24 p.m.
