ANOTHER ONE

Official at New York Archdiocese Accused of Child Sex Abuse

Rev. John Jenik, a 74-year-old auxiliary bishop, has been removed from his position pending a Vatican review.

One of the highest-ranking officials at the Archdiocese of New York has been accused of abusing a minor and has been removed from his post pending an investigation by the Vatican, according to letters released Wednesday by Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan. The allegations against Rev. John Jenik—the 74-year-old auxiliary bishop for the archdiocese—dates back decades, according to a letter. The claims were deemed credible and substantiated by the archdiocese’s review board last month, according to The Wall Street Journal. They will now be reported to the local district attorney, the letter said. Jenik has steadfastly denied the allegations, saying that he never “abused anyone at any time” in a separate undated letter that was shared with parishioners. “I will ask the Vatican, which has ultimate jurisdiction over such cases, to review the matter, with the hope of ultimately proving my innocence,” Jenik wrote, adding that he hopes parishioners will “please pray for the person who brought this allegation against me.”