Father Escalante is finally coming home to Saint Francis de Sales. The truth has been brought into the light and his good name is being restored after all this pain. Thank you for staying by his side when things looked darkest.
June 24, 2019
Final supporters
We the undersigned, request that the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia return Father Ronald Escalante to his parish as pastor of Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Purcellville as soon as possible. We also request that the diocese do their utmost to rectify the damage to his name and reputation by releasing the results of their investigation in as fully a transparent manner as possible. Every person involved in creating and allowing this lie to perpetuate are guilty of violating the 8th Commandment. We will not sit idly by as good and holy priests have their lives and vocation destroyed at the whims of those who just wish it to be so.
Fr. Escalante was placed on administrative leave in late 2018 due to an alleged boundary violation involving a minor. The diocese then issued a press release (see here) that was picked up by various news media. A local reporter then released an article here in April 2019 that confirmed with three sources that a disgruntled staff member had convinced a parish family to make up a false accusation about Father Escalante and report it to the diocese. The outcome of the above actions by parish staff, the accuser and the diocese is that a priest’s name and reputation were permanently damaged. In cases of real abuse, this is a necessary outcome, for justice and for the protection of society, but in cases where there is no abuse, this is scandalous, defamatory, and frequently irrepairable.
We the undersigned, believe that having done even a modicum of due diligence, the diocese should have realized that the charges were at best minor, and at worst, the work of those operating under false pretenses. The diocesan polices that were developed to handle serious cases of sexual abuse should not have been used to remove Fr. Escalante from the parish and permanently damage Fr. Escalante’s name and reputation. The criminal investigation lasted less than a week and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office completely cleared Fr. Escalante. Five months have gone by, and the diocese still has not released the results of their investigation.
We the undersigned, in addition to much of the Catholic faithful and the world, have witnessed with sadness and frustration the many years of mishandling and disgusting behavior of countless clergy in the Catholic hierarchy. Those who should be most trusted, abuse their trust and perpetrate great harm to children entrusted in their care. This petition is one means we have of letting the hierarchy know loud and clear that the Catholic faithful are paying close attention, to ensure that good priests are not being mistreated and banned from public ministry due to overzealous or false accusations.
Updates
May 3, 2019
Seeing one hundred people sign this shows me that I am not the only one who remembers the truth about Father Escalante. This is about restoring the integrity of a man who served our parish with such genuine heart.
Reached 500 supporters
May 2, 2019
Reached 100 supporters
May 1, 2019
May 1, 2019
Seeing the momentum pick up brings me so much hope for Father Escalante. We are almost at one hundred signatures and reaching that total will show the diocese that we are not going away quietly. Please send this link to your parishioners and friends right now so we can push past this mark.
358 Comments
Fr Escalante is a wonderful priest and has worked tiresly for St Francis. He has done an outstanding job of pulling the parish together and building Our Lady of Victory Hall and rebuilding the Church. We are praying that he returns to St Francis.
I think it is disgraceful that Father Escalante has been cleared of all charges yet is not back in his parish where he belongs. All involved should be ashamed of themselves. This is not right. #bringbackfatherescalante
Based on my interactions with Fr. Escalante and Fr. Escalante's interactions with my children, I would not have expected any inappropriate behavior or “boundary issues” from Fr. Escalante. I do not believe the allegations against him and wish his return to our Parish as the pastor.
I am not Catholic but I have met Father Escalante as have my husband, daughter and close friends who are parishioners. Hugging a child - the purported allegation here - is not a sin. As I understand it, this is the only allegation, and a poor one at that.
Please return Fr. Escalante to his flock at St. Francis de Sales Parish. His faithful parishioners are in need of their good shepherd. May the light of truth bring an end to this darkness and may Fr. Escalante's good name be restored once and for all!
God Bless him
Father Escalante married us here and he’s been nothing but a true blessing in our life. Would love to have him back.
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Father Escalante is finally coming home to Saint Francis de Sales. The truth has been brought into the light and his good name is being restored after all this pain. Thank you for staying by his side when things looked darkest.
June 24, 2019
Final supporters
We the undersigned, request that the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia return Father Ronald Escalante to his parish as pastor of Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Purcellville as soon as possible. We also request that the diocese do their utmost to rectify the damage to his name and reputation by releasing the results of their investigation in as fully a transparent manner as possible. Every person involved in creating and allowing this lie to perpetuate are guilty of violating the 8th Commandment. We will not sit idly by as good and holy priests have their lives and vocation destroyed at the whims of those who just wish it to be so.
Fr. Escalante was placed on administrative leave in late 2018 due to an alleged boundary violation involving a minor. The diocese then issued a press release (see here) that was picked up by various news media. A local reporter then released an article here in April 2019 that confirmed with three sources that a disgruntled staff member had convinced a parish family to make up a false accusation about Father Escalante and report it to the diocese. The outcome of the above actions by parish staff, the accuser and the diocese is that a priest’s name and reputation were permanently damaged. In cases of real abuse, this is a necessary outcome, for justice and for the protection of society, but in cases where there is no abuse, this is scandalous, defamatory, and frequently irrepairable.
We the undersigned, believe that having done even a modicum of due diligence, the diocese should have realized that the charges were at best minor, and at worst, the work of those operating under false pretenses. The diocesan polices that were developed to handle serious cases of sexual abuse should not have been used to remove Fr. Escalante from the parish and permanently damage Fr. Escalante’s name and reputation. The criminal investigation lasted less than a week and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office completely cleared Fr. Escalante. Five months have gone by, and the diocese still has not released the results of their investigation.
We the undersigned, in addition to much of the Catholic faithful and the world, have witnessed with sadness and frustration the many years of mishandling and disgusting behavior of countless clergy in the Catholic hierarchy. Those who should be most trusted, abuse their trust and perpetrate great harm to children entrusted in their care. This petition is one means we have of letting the hierarchy know loud and clear that the Catholic faithful are paying close attention, to ensure that good priests are not being mistreated and banned from public ministry due to overzealous or false accusations.
Updates
May 3, 2019
Seeing one hundred people sign this shows me that I am not the only one who remembers the truth about Father Escalante. This is about restoring the integrity of a man who served our parish with such genuine heart.
Reached 500 supporters
May 2, 2019
Reached 100 supporters
May 1, 2019
May 1, 2019
Seeing the momentum pick up brings me so much hope for Father Escalante. We are almost at one hundred signatures and reaching that total will show the diocese that we are not going away quietly. Please send this link to your parishioners and friends right now so we can push past this mark.
358 Comments
I have known Father since his days at Good Shepherd. He is a dear friend who helped me through a painful divorce back then. I have NEVER met anyone more suited to or in love with his vocation! This situation has been nothing less than a travesty and tragedy.
Fr Escalante is a wonderful priest and has worked tiresly for St Francis. He has done an outstanding job of pulling the parish together and building Our Lady of Victory Hall and rebuilding the Church. We are praying that he returns to St Francis.
I think it is disgraceful that Father Escalante has been cleared of all charges yet is not back in his parish where he belongs. All involved should be ashamed of themselves. This is not right. #bringbackfatherescalante
Based on my interactions with Fr. Escalante and Fr. Escalante's interactions with my children, I would not have expected any inappropriate behavior or “boundary issues” from Fr. Escalante. I do not believe the allegations against him and wish his return to our Parish as the pastor.
I am not Catholic but I have met Father Escalante as have my husband, daughter and close friends who are parishioners. Hugging a child - the purported allegation here - is not a sin. As I understand it, this is the only allegation, and a poor one at that.
Please return Fr. Escalante to his flock at St. Francis de Sales Parish. His faithful parishioners are in need of their good shepherd. May the light of truth bring an end to this darkness and may Fr. Escalante's good name be restored once and for all!
God Bless him
Father Escalante married us here and he’s been nothing but a true blessing in our life. Would love to have him back.
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I have known Father since his days at Good Shepherd. He is a dear friend who helped me through a painful divorce back then. I have NEVER met anyone more suited to or in love with his vocation! This situation has been nothing less than a travesty and tragedy.