STATEMENT REGARDING JAMES BEINE

Archdiocese of St. Louis
Office of Communications

News Release

March 20, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:
Terry Edelmann
Catholic Education Office
Phone: (314) 792-7304

STATEMENT REGARDING JAMES BEINE

ST. LOUIS — The Archdiocese of St. Louis has released the following statement regarding Mr. James Beine:

“James Beine was suspended on July 8, 1977, by Cardinal John Carberry and was barred from exercising his priestly ministry.

“On June 9, 1994, Archbishop Justin Rigali held a press conference at which he specifically addressed two lawsuits against Beine and said that the suits were based on allegations of sexual abuse with children.

“On June 11, 1994, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch ran an article in which Chester Edmonds from the St. Louis Public Schools was quoted as saying the district had moved Beine as soon as it learned of lawsuits against him.

“It is unfortunate that Superintendent Hammonds has not identified the individual who allegedly wrote a letter to the St. Louis Public Schools in support of Beine. Without seeing the letter, we cannot comment about it or verify it.

“However, as early as 1990 then-Archbishop John L. May wrote to priests in the Archdiocese warning them of Beine, who reportedly had set up a ministry in St. Charles. ‘Many have been victimized and defrauded,’ Archbishop May wrote in regard to Beine’s ministry. Had someone approached Archbishop May or another church authority requesting information about Beine, similar information would have been provided”

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