A priest for a Dinwiddie parish has been removed from his ministry as the result of an accusation of sexual abuse of a minor, according to a report in this week's edition of The Catholic Virginian.
The newspaper's July 25 edition reported that a statement — read to St. John, Dinwiddie parishioners during Masses of July 9 and 10 — informed them that Monsignor Joseph Pham had been removed from the ministry after the Office of the Bishop received a letter accusing him of the abuse.
The statement said the abuse took place more than 30 years ago when Pham was in college.
The Catholic Diocese of Richmond investigated the allegation as required by the Charter for the Protection of Children and the Diocesan Safe Environment Regulations, the statement said, and Pham "admitted the accusation is true and the incident did occur."
According to the newspaper, the statement said Pham will "be leaving the parish in the next few days."
A man answering Pham's cellphone number said he had no comment.
Diocesan officers did not immediately return phone or email messages Friday evening.
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