Yet Another Viet Catholic Priest Tran Dinh Nhi [Virginia] Put on Leave after 'Credible' Molestation Charges of 2 Minor Girls

[Julie (English only!)]

Priest Put on Leave as Allegations SurfaceArlington Diocese Studies 2
Reports of Molestation

The Washington Post
Sunday, May 14, 2006

The Catholic Diocese of Arlington placed the Rev. Tran Dinh Nhi, 61,
on administrative leave after receiving "credible" charges that he
touched two girls inappropriately between 1975 and 1980, a diocesan
spokesman said.

Nhi has worked in nine Northern Virginia parishes since he came to the
United States from Vietnam in 1975. Most recently, he was assigned to
St. Ambrose in Annandale last year.

Diocesan spokesman Soren Johnson said Nhi has denied the allegations,
which came to officials' attention in March after one of the alleged
victims attended a program about how to spot child abuse. Discussions
with her led to a second woman, and a review of both cases by a
diocesan board found that the reports met "a basic threshold of
credibility," Johnson said.

Johnson said that the alleged incidents occurred in Fairfax County and
that the alleged victims were 13 to 17 years old at the time, but he
declined to provide further details. The diocese will continue its
investigation, and Nhi will remain on leave pending the outcome,
Johnson said.