NEWARK, Ohio — A central Ohio priest who had an assignment at the Catholic Church in Chillicothe is under investigation for allegations of child molestation.
The Diocese of Columbus placed 77-year-old Father Dean A. Mathewson on administrative leave this week after being notified that he is being accused of a sex crime.
According to the Diocese, the sexual abuse Mathewson is accused of took place during his time at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Newark in the 1990’s. Newark police authorities are investigating the incident, the Diocese said.
The Diocese said that Mathewson was an associate pastor at St. Mary, Chillicothe, with part-time teaching duties at Bishop Flaget High School from 1977 to 1981. There was no indication that authorities in Ross County had received any reports of sexual wrongdoing as of Wednesday morning during Mathewson’s time in the county.
“Diocesan officials notified Father Mathewson of the allegation and informed him of the details of the allegation,” the Diocese said on Wednesday. “He was formally placed on leave, and he was advised about the steps the Church would follow as a result of the allegation. As was explained to Father Mathewson, his placement on administrative leave was not an indication that the Diocese had determined that the allegation is credible. Rather, the preliminary investigation into the allegation has just begun.”
While the investigation is underway, Mathewson will be prohibited from the public exercise of his priestly ministry. He cannot publicly celebrate sacraments, wear clerical attire, be housed at any parish or on diocesan property, or identify himself as a member of the clergy.
The Diocese of Columbus encouraged anyone who may have claims of abuse by clergy or others associated with the Church to notify law enforcement immediately as well as the Diocesan Victim’s Assistance Coordinator.