The Diocese of Charlotte announces that Monsignor Mauricio West has stepped down from his position as vicar general and chancellor, effective Monday, March 25, 2019. His departure follows a recent finding by the Lay Review Board of the Diocese of a credible allegation of sexual misconduct.
The alleged events occurred in the mid-1980s when Monsignor West was the Vice President for Student Affairs at Belmont Abbey College, and involved multiple instances of unwanted overtures toward an adult student over a two-year period. In February, the individual met personally with the Lay Review Board to discuss the allegation.
Monsignor West has denied the allegation. During a period of counseling and assessment, he will be on a leave of absence from his ministerial duties.
While the alleged behavior did not constitute sexual abuse and did not involve a minor, it is the strict policy of the Diocese of Charlotte to refer all allegations by known accusers of potential sexual misconduct to the Lay Review Board for investigation. Misconduct includes boundary violations and improper behavior by clergy, lay people and church volunteers involving children and adults.
Personally, and on behalf of the Catholic Church, I extend our deepest apologies to the victim in this case and pray for all who have suffered from misconduct. The Diocese of Charlotte is committed to taking all necessary steps to root out all inappropriate behavior and to being open and transparent about our handling of all allegations of such conduct.
The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis
Bishop of Charlotte
Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari issues statement
BELMONT — Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari, chancellor of Belmont Abbey College, issued the following statement March 28 regarding the departure of Monsignor Mauricio West as vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte: (Editor's note: Monsignor West began his ministry as a Benedictine monk at Belmont Abbey, and he served for a decade in various faculty and administrative positions at the Benedictine-run college including director of residential life and vice president for student affairs and later sat on the college’s board of trustees.)
We were sorrowful to learn this week that an allegation of sexual misconduct against Monsignor Mauricio West, a current diocesan priest and former Vice President for Student Affairs at Belmont Abbey College, has been determined to be credible. The misconduct allegedly occurred mid-1980s during Monsignor West’s tenure at Belmont Abbey and involved an adult student, who claims to have been a victim of unwanted advances by Monsignor West.
Monsignor West has denied the allegations. Nonetheless, we are deeply sorry for the victim and have apologized personally to the individual. Although we cannot undo the past, we are dedicated to preventing such inappropriate behavior in the future.
We are thoroughly committed to the prevention of sexual misconduct of any kind. We investigate and remediate all claims according to state and federal laws and provide regular training and education to members of the Abbey community on the prevention of sexual harassment and misconduct.
While it is disheartening that a former student and our entire community have been hurt by this allegation, we are committed to honesty and transparency in handling all allegations of misconduct. We pray for the healing of all who have suffered from clerical misconduct and remain dedicated to our mission and to the welfare of our students. We have cooperated fully with the Lay Review Board of the Diocese of Charlotte in this matter.
For information regarding the safety and protection of Belmont Abbey College students, including our sexual misconduct policy, please visit: https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/campus-life/campus-safety/. For further information regarding the current allegation, which was reported to and investigated by the Diocese of Charlotte, please contact David Hains, Director of Communications for the Diocese.
Abbot Placid Solari, O.S.B.
Belmont Abbey
CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte has been found in compliance with the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” every year since the charter’s inception.
The diocese has passed independent audits of its child protection procedures every year since 2003.
The external audit – conducted by the Gavin Group in the early years of the charter and now by Stonebridge Business Partners of Rochester, N.Y. – monitors U.S. dioceses’ compliance with the charter, which addresses the Church’s commitment to respond effectively, appropriately and compassionately to cases of abuse of minors by clergy or other Church personnel.
The audit evaluates the diocese’s efforts to ensure the protection of children, including criminal background checks and educational awareness programs on recognizing and preventing abuse.
In the fiscal year that ran from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017 (the most recent figures available), the diocese ran 4,068 background checks, which are required on an ongoing basis for all diocesan employees and volunteers. Since 2002, nearly 57,000 background checks have been processed.
Since 2002, more than 48,900 adults have received training in the safe environment awareness program entitled “Protecting God’s Children.” In the 2016-’17 fiscal year alone, the diocese held 167 “Protecting God’s Children” workshops across the diocese for 3,517 participants.
“Protecting God’s Children” helps adults learn to recognize the warning signs of abuse and the many ways that sexual abuse harms victims, families, parishes and communities. It teaches them appropriate ways to respond to suspicious behaviors and how they can help to prevent abuse.
Since 2003, the diocese has invested approximately $1.2 million in this training program.
The diocese also provides financial assistance to victims and their families for counseling and other medical services. Since 1995, that has totaled approximately $633,000.
Since 2010, the diocese has reported costs incurred in connection with sexual abuse or misconduct lawsuits totaling approximately $1.4 million.
Diocesan insurance funds and the diocesan general fund were used for payment. None of these funds came from the Diocesan Support Appeal or from parish savings.
— Catholic News Herald
More online
Read the Diocese of Charlotte’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People”
At www.charlottediocese.org/human-resources/safe-environment: Get detailed information on the diocese’s Safe Environment programs
By the numbers
$1.226 million: What the Diocese of Charlotte has spent on “Safe Environment” measures, including criminal background checks and “Protecting God’s Children” workshops held across the diocese for clergy, religious, lay employees and lay volunteers
$633,000: Assistance to sexual abuse victims for counseling and other medical services
$1.397 million: Legal costs incurred from sexual abuse litigation, not already covered by insurance
How to report an allegation of abuse
Anyone having actual knowledge of or reasonable cause to suspect an incident of ministry-related sexual abuse is to immediately report the incident to civil authorities and/or the Diocese of Charlotte Chancery. The Chancery will then report the incident to the proper civil authorities.
All cases of alleged, known or suspected ministry-related sexual abuse of a minor must be reported to the proper civil authority. Anyone having actual knowledge of, or reasonable cause to suspect an incident of ministry-related sexual abuse by any Church personnel of the Diocese of Charlotte is to immediately report the incident to the Chancery, unless to do so would violate the sacrament of penance. The Chancery will then report the incident to the proper civil authority.
ONLINE: www.charlottediocese.org/human-resources/safe-environment
PHONE: Chancery at 704-370-6299 or the victim assistance line at 704-370-3363
EMAIL: David Harold, LCSW, the diocesan victim assistance coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
MAIL: Chancellor, Diocese of Charlotte, P.O. Box 36776, Charlotte, N.C. 28236
