Former Danbury Priest Investigated for Sexual Abuse of Minor

DANBURY, CT — A priest formerly assigned to a Danbury parish has been placed on administrative leave while allegations of his sexual abuse of a minor are investigated, the Diocese of Bridgeport announced Friday.

The Rev. Jaime Marin-Cardona was removed from ministry in September when the diocese received a letter indicating that parents were concerned by the priest’s "contact with a family member who is a minor," according to a statement by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano. The diocese triggered the investigation by sending a report to both the Connecticut Department of Children and Families and the Danbury Police, according to Caggiano.

"At that time, I immediately removed Father Marin-Cardona from ministry, ordered him to move out of the parish to an adult facility and restricted contact with any minor during the investigation," the bishop said.

In the initial interviews, the parents as well as the victim indicated that no abuse had occurred. As a result, DCF did not accept the report for further investigation. However, the police continued their investigation and based on information obtained, DCF and the Danbury Police both accepted the report for further investigation.

Marin-Cardona had been assigned most recently to Saint Mary Parish in Bridgeport. Previously, the priest had assignments at Saint Joseph Parish in Norwalk, Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Bridgeport, and Our Lady of Guadalupe n Golden Hill Road in Danbury.

"We are grateful that the parents came forward with their concerns, and we pledge to work with them in any way possible to bring about healing during this difficult time," Caggiano said. He also thanked the Danbury Police for their "sensitivity and professionalism in handling the investigation."

The allegations of sexual misconduct followed quickly in the wake of an October report that found 71 priests had been accused of abusing 281 children over 66 years in the Diocese of Bridgeport. Caggiano acknowledged the bad timing, saying the new allegations were "distressing in light of our diocesan efforts to move forward in healing and reconciliation after the release of Judge Holzberg’s Accountability Report."