A Catholic priest at a Northern Virginia church admitted he had sexual contact with a minor at another church and has stepped down from his position as pastor, according to a letter from the Diocese of Arlington.
Father Christopher Mould was the pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Clifton. Mould told Bishop Michael Burbidge on Tuesday the sexual contact happened "on one occasion" when he was parochial vicor at St. Thomas à Becket Church in Reston from 1992 to 1995, Burbidge said in the letter to parishioners.
The Arlington Diocese arranged for Mould to leave the rectory at St. Andrew the Apostle the same day and reported his admission to Fairfax County police, the letter says.
Mould resigned from St. Andrew the Apostle and currently holds no "ecclesiastical office, and he is not permitted to exercise priestly ministry," Burbidge says in the letter. Mould also cannot live near a church or school property.
"Father Mould has expressed deep contrition for his actions, and he accepts that there will be serious and severe consequences for them," Burbidge said.
Burbidge said the Arlington Diocese has never received a complaint about sexual abuse or misconduct against Mould, and encouraged anyone who knows of any clergy abuse to report it to the Virginia Attorney General's hotline and local police.
Anyone who has any information about this case can contact police at 703-246-7800.
