A statement from the CIC (January 7, 2019):
Like many of you, we just learned of an instance of misconduct by a former director of the CIC, Father C. John McCloskey, while counseling a married woman in 2002. As reported in an online article by the Washington Post, the Prelature of Opus Dei (of which Fr. McCloskey is a priest) investigated the complaint, found it credible, removed Fr. McCloskey from his position at the CIC, placed restrictions on his pastoral activities, and reached a settlement with the victim. According to the Post, the woman remains close to Opus Dei, and is happy with the Prelature’s handling of the matter. The Post also reports that the Prelature is further investigating possible additional complaints about Fr. McCloskey’s behavior with women.
The CIC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity operating under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Washington. While Fr. McCloskey’s misconduct long predates the current CIC leadership, we are deeply saddened by this news. We wish to sincerely apologize — and offer our fervent prayers — to the victim, and anyone else who has suffered because of this misconduct by Fr. McCloskey.
