A personal disclaimer in posting this story. I am a Priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis and was still in active ministry when stories about Father Jiang's alleged sexual misconduct with youngsters first broke. I have followed developments regarding these allegations through the years and continue to do so as circumstances warrant.
A Roman Catholic priest with a controversial past will not be assigned to a parish in the fashionable St. Louis Hills neighborhood of the Archdiocese.
The announcement about Father Joseph Jiang came down in a letter from Archbishop Robert Carlson and St. Gabriel Archangel Church’s Pastor, Monsignor John Shamleffer, after many parents voiced their concerns when they learned of his assignment to their parish earlier this year.
A meeting where parents would have been asking about Fr. Jiang’s appointment was cancelled.
Father Jiang was twice accused of sexual misconduct involving children.
Both charges were eventually dropped.
Some parents said they are pleased with the Archbishop's decision but the matter could have been handled better.
In the letter, Archbishop Carlson stated that he plans to meet with school and parish leadership to talk about discuss concerns and “work toward a better understanding of what Father Jiang has gone through, the reaction to his appointment on the part of so many parishioners, the work that the Church has done over the years to safeguard our children, and then to discuss where we go from here as a parish and as an archdiocese."
A spokesperson for the Archdiocese said Father Jiang remains in residence at the Cathedral Basilica for the moment.
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