NKyTribune staff
A priest working on a service project at Glenmary Home Missioners in Vanceburg (Lewis County), Kentucky has been recalled to headquarters amidst allegations of inappropriate contact with two teenage volunteers.
Fr. Glockner (provided)
According to a releases from Glenmary Home Missioners and the Diocese of Covington, Fr. David Glockner, 84, “inappropriately touched two high school students, both minors, while working on a service project in Lewis County.”
The organization is not under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Covington. Fr. Glockner had been serving at Holy Redeemer Church in Vanceburg, which is in the Diocese of Covington, since 2012.
Both of the volunteers were women and the incident has been reported to the Lewis County Sheriff’s office and Kentucky State Police for investigation.
Glenmary Home Missioners issued the following release regarding the allegations:
Glenmary Home Missioners Father David Glockner, 84, was removed from ministry and recalled to the society’s Cincinnati headquarters Tuesday after allegations of inappropriate contact with two teenaged volunteers.
The volunteers, two minor women, were working on a construction project Tuesday afternoon on behalf of Emmaus Farm in Lewis County, Ky. when the alleged contact occurred.
Within 24 hours Glenmary President Father Dan Dorsey recalled Father Glockner and reported the allegation to the Lewis County Sheriff’s office and to the Diocese of Covington. Father Glockner arrived at Glenmary headquarters Tuesday evening where he will be stationed while the matter is investigated.
“Upon receiving the allegations, I immediately recalled Father Glockner to headquarters and told him he would be staying here for an indefinite period of time,” Father Dorsey said. “In addition to contacting the Lewis County Sheriff and Bishop of Covington, I also reached out to the chaperone of the volunteer group to offer pastoral care of our Hope and Healing team to the two students. Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of anyone who is in contact with Glenmary.”
Father Glockner had been serving at Holy Redeemer Church in Vanceburg, Ky. in the Diocese of Covington, since 2012.
Anyone with information concerning abuse by a Glenmary priest, brother or lay coworker is encouraged to contact civil authorities as well as Glenmary President Father Dan Dorsey at 513-881-7402.
In a statement, the Diocese of Covington indicated it will provide for the pastoral needs of parishioners in the Vanceburg parish:
In the wake of learning, Wednesday, August 7, that Glenmary Home Missioner Father David Glockner has been removed from ministry and recalled to the society’s Cincinnati headquarters, the Diocese has implemented its Safe Environment protocols and will provide for the pastoral needs of the parishioners at Holy Redeemer Parish, Vanceburg.
Father Dan Dorsey, president, Glenmary Home Missioners, notified Bishop Foys that the manager of Emmaus Farms reported she had received an allegation Tuesday, August 6 that Father Glockner had “inappropriately touched two high school students, both minors, while working on a service project in Lewis County.”
Emmaus Farms is a non-profit, volunteer, immersion service retreat organization located in Vanceburg, Ky. The organization is not under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Covington.
Upon learning of the allegations, Father Dorsey recalled Father Glockner to the Glenmary headquarters in Cincinnati, where he will be stationed while the matter is being investigated.
“I am grateful to Father Dorsey for his quick response to the allegations,” said Bishop Foys. “The diocese will offer any assistance needed during the investigation.”
Removal from ministry is not substantiation of an allegation but is a part of safe environment protocols while the matter is investigated.
Per diocesan policy, Ms. Schack, Thursday, August 8, reported the incident to the Kentucky State Police.
Since 2012, Father Glockner has served the pastoral needs of Holy Redeemer Parish, Vanceburg, as sacramental minister and parochial administrator. In those seven years, there have not been any allegations of inappropriate behavior against Father Glockner.
The Diocese has reached out to a representative of the teens’ families to offer pastoral assistance. Along with Glenmary, the Diocese’s primary concern is the safety and well-being of those in its care.
Anyone with information concerning abuse by anyone ministering in the Diocese of Covington is encouraged to contact the appropriate civil authorities as well as Margaret Schack, diocesan Safe Environment director at (859) 392-1500.
Safe Environment and reporting information is available on the diocesan website www.covdio.org.
Contact the Northern Kentucky Tribune at news@nkytrib.com
