[Stmonicaparent-list] Note from Mrs. Dellino and Parish letter

[St. Monica Parent Email list]

Dear St. Monica School Families,
You may or may not be aware of recent events regarding Father Dennis Kemp
being put on administrative leave. Included below is the text of a letter
that will be mailed to all St. Monica Parishioners this week. Please know
that I share your concerns about this very difficult situation. Be assured
that I am being given excellent support and guidance from the Archdiocese
and I am confident that St. Monica School and Parish will remain strong
through this trying time. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate
to contact me. I look forward to a successful school year together!

 

God bless,

 

Pam Dellino

Principal

St. Monica School

206-232-5432 x152

 

pdellino at stmonicasea.org

 

July 31, 2007

Dear Parishioners,

As you may or may not be aware, Archbishop Alex Brunett made a parish wide
announcement at

all Masses on the weekend of July 28-29. The news was shared that on
Thursday morning, July 26th,

Father Dennis Kemp voluntarily accepted administrative leave following a
series of events that transpired

over the last two weeks regarding an allegation involving inappropriate
conduct with a minor.

According to Archdiocesan policy and requirements of civil law, the matter
was reported

immediately to the Mercer Island Police who have investigated the
allegation. While they have decided

not to press criminal charges at this time, there may have been serious
violations of Church particular law,

both of the Archdiocesan policies as well as those articulated in the United
States Conference of Catholic

Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and
Essential Norms.

The Archbishop has initiated the canonical processes called for in these
situations to investigate

the allegations and he will convene the Archdiocesan Review Board to assist
him in assessing the

outcome of the investigation and to provide a recommendation about the
disposition of this case.

It is important that you understand that Father Kemp's leave does not
presume his guilt or

innocence; it provides time for the investigation to take place. Fr. Kemp
has indicated his willingness and

desire to cooperate with the investigation and has expressed his strong
urging that this matter not be a

cause of division for the parish and school community.

A parish meeting is being planned for August 13th at 7:00 p.m. in the Gym at
which time

representatives from the Archdiocese will be available to answer your
questions as appropriate and

provide you an update on the canonical process. In the interim, the
Archbishop has entrusted the overall

administration of the parish to us: Deacon-candidate Larry McDonald and
Deacon Jack Warfield who will

be responsible for the coordination of all the liturgical aspects of parish
life. During this time, Archbishop

Brunett, Bishop Tyson and Bishop Elizondo will ensure pastoral support for
our parish community.

 

These are the most complicated and trying of situations. We pray that you
suspend judgment at

this time and allow the process to move forward. We can assure you that from
our experience we have

the utmost confidence that the Archdiocesan processes and policies are being
followed and that they will

result in justice and compassion for all concerned.

At the same time, we must be mindful of those individuals who have been
impacted by this

situation, and care for those who have placed their trust in us and come
forward with this information. In

addition, we want to encourage anyone who has experienced or has information
about any alleged

incident of inappropriate conduct with a minor by clergy or lay ministers to
go to the Diocesan

confidential email: hotline at seattlearch.org, or to call 1-800-446-7762. You
may also visit our parish

website at www.stmonica.cc or the Diocesan website www.seattlearch.org for a
list of resources and

contact information.

In the meantime, we call on all parishioners to continue to pray and support
our parish during this

difficult time.

Yours in Christ,

Larry McDonald Deacon Jack Warfield

Parish Administrator Liturgical Administrator

 

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