FatherDillard.org
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			Background
		In early March of 2002, Kathryn Barrett Gaines, an associate history professor at Xavier University, LA, contacted the Archdiocese of Washington to accuse Monsignor Russell Dillard of inappropriate behavior with her and a younger sister while they were members of a high school youth group he moderated in the late 1970’s-early 1980’s. These allegations came during the height of media coverage of sexual abuse allegations against Roman Catholic clergy and the conviction of a former Archdiocese of Boston priest who had a history of child molestation accusations that were hidden from parishioners and local authorities. Ms. Barrett Gaines allegations are disputed by others who were members of the youth group at the time and by two priests who lived in the rectory where much of the inappropriate behavior is alleged to have taken place. Father Dillard, who has maintained that his relationships with the two women were not inappropriate, denies her allegations. In a disputed series of events, the Archdiocese of Washington placed Monsignor Dillard on administrative leave and took him to a residential facility for psychological evaluation on Thursday, March 21, 2002. He is currently waiting for Archdiocese of Washington officials to decide his fate. This site is maintained by parishioners, supporters and friends of Father Dillard who want to see all accused clergy afforded due process during this time of heightened media attention and pressure on the church. We believe that Father Dillard has been the victim of a rush to judgement by church officials more anxious to contain a public relations crisis than to seek truth and justice.