Original Research Projects

2019-01. STUDY OF ACCUSED PRIESTS

The Dulles Research Institute’s first research project is a qualitative study of Catholic priests removed from ministry because of accusations of sexual malfeasance. Unlike most extant research in the field, which has tended to investigate sexual malfeasance in the priesthood using existing documents or interviews with Church officials, this study undertakes in-depth interviews of the accused priests themselves in order to learn how upbringing, education, seminary formation, perception of church teachings, and peer influences shaped their self-understanding and their understanding of sexuality. The study seeks to gain insight into the interaction of personal, situational, and environmental factors involved in sexual malfeasance in the priesthood, with an eye toward enabling policy makers within the Catholic Church to make informed decisions about screening and formation protocols and to develop effective programs and policies. Ultimately, the study aims to allow policy makers to identify and address the potential for sexual malfeasance before it occurs, rather than reacting to misconduct once it has already happened.

Principal Investigator: Lisa L. Sample, PhD (Criminology, University of Nebraska at Omaha)

IRB Approval: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Protcol #334-19-FB

Participants: Catholic Priests removed from ministry at least one year ago as a result of accusations of sexual malfeasance