Vatican rules on fate of former Charlotte pastor accused of inappropriate behavior
The Rev. Patrick Hoare's removal as pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church amid accusations of misconduct involving youth was justified under church law, the Vatican City-based government of the Roman Catholic Church has ruled.
St. Matthew in Ballantyne is the largest Catholic parish in Charlotte and among the biggest in the U.S.
Charlotte Catholic Bishop Michael Martin revealed the Holy See's ruling in a statement to St. Matthew parishioners published Thursday in the diocesan newspaper, Catholic News Herald.
The Holy See ruled on Hoare's appeal of his removal in 2020 by then-Charlotte Catholic Bishop Peter Jugis.
Hoare's removal followed a review by the diocese's Lay Review Board of 'specific claims of boundary violations with minors.' The board found 'a semblance of truth' to the allegations, Martin wrote.
Jugis placed Hoare on administrative leave in December 2019 based on decades-old allegations of sexual abuse of a minor that arose in Pennsylvania, a decision criticized by some of Hoare's former parishioners, the Observer previously reported.
A Change.org petition at the time calling for Hoare's return as pastor received 1,840 signatures. The petition describes Hoare as 'our beloved priest, spiritual director, and pastoral shepherd.'
Hoare said at the time that the sexual allegations were false and that the alleged incident occurred before he became a priest.
His appeal of his dismissal prevented the diocese from appointing a new St. Matthew pastor, Martin said. He said he will appoint one when diocese-wide priest assignments 'are finalized in the coming days.'
Martin's statement did not say where Hoare is now.
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