Arlington Cathedral Rector Placed On Leave Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegation

ARLINGTON, VA — The rector of the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington was placed on administrative leave in May after an allegation that he engaged in sexual misconduct with minors, the Catholic Diocese of Arlington said.

The Rev. Patrick L. Posey denied the allegation, according to the diocese. No determination has been made regarding the allegation.

The diocese said the alleged misconduct occurred between 1992 and 1993 outside the Diocese of Arlington. The diocese said it reported the allegation to law enforcement after receiving it and is cooperating with authorities.

Posey was ordained for the Diocese of Arlington in 1991, according to BishopAccountability.org, a Massachusetts-based nonprofits that tracks allegations of abuse in the Catholic church.

Posey was assigned to Sacred Heart in Winchester from 1991 to 1995; the diocesan mission in Banica, Dominican Republic, from 1995 to 2003; and St. Francis de Sales in Purcellville as pastor from 2003 to 2006, according to BishopAccountability's database.

Posey served as pastor of St. James in Falls Church from 2006 to 2019 before he was assigned in 2019 as rector of the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, according to the nonprofit.

Posey also served as diocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, dean of Deanery 1, director of the Propagation of the Faith for the diocese, board director of Caritas Lebanon and the Black and Indian Missions, and an Air Force Chaplain Candidate Program reserve officer, BishopAccountability said.

The diocese said the Rev. Nicholas Barnes has been appointed parochial administrator at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More.

The diocese said Posey, like other priests, diocesan employees and volunteers who work with children in the diocese, has undergone regular criminal background checks during his service.

The diocese asked anyone with information specifically related to the allegation to contact law enforcement. It also said anyone who knows of misconduct or abuse by a cleric or diocesan employee should notify civil authorities and contact the diocesan victim assistance coordinator at 703-841-2530.

The diocesan child protection policy is available on the Catholic Diocese of Arlington website.