Bishop denies inappropriate conduct By Catholic News Service
BILOXI, Miss. (CNS) — A complaint has been filed in Circuit Court in Gulfport alleging retired Biloxi Bishop Joseph L. Howze engaged in inappropriate conduct with an adult man. The incident allegedly took place in January 2007.
A letter from Biloxi Bishop Thomas J. Rodi was read at all weekend Masses March 8-9 to inform Catholics about the allegation.
In statement released on his behalf by his lawyer, Bishop Howze said he was “saddened by the events alleged in legal proceedings filed against me in the civil courts. I deny any inappropriate conduct.” He said he would make no further comment “until this matter is concluded before the courts.”
The complaint, which alleges the bishop inappropriately touched the plaintiff, asks for a jury trial and seeks unspecified damages.
In his letter, Bishop Rodi said, “A videotape recorded the event in question. The video, without any audio, does not clearly indicate what actually happened.”
Bishop Rodi also said that “when this video first came to my attention, because it is our practice to always fully cooperate with civil authorities, we promptly reported the matter to the district attorney. At no time was any effort made to hide the matter.”
He said because both parties in the matter are adults, no public announcement was made at the time.
Bishop Rodi went on to say the Diocese of Biloxi offered to pay for counseling for both Bishop Howze and the man bringing the complaint. The complainant did not accept the offer.
Since Bishop Howze is a retired bishop, he is not under the authority of the Diocese of Biloxi, nor the bishop of Biloxi.
In concluding his letter, Bishop Rodi asked for prayers both for Bishop Howze and for the man making the accusation.
“Let us also pray for one another,” he wrote, adding, “This is a most difficult moment in the life of the church of the Diocese of Biloxi.”
Bishop Howze referred all calls about the allegation to his lawyer, Joseph Hudson of the Gulfport firm of Hudson & Smith, who faxed the bishop’s statement to Catholic News Service (CNS) March 11.
“I ask for your prayers for me and the adverse party and for the grace of almighty God on all involved and concerned as we search for the truth through the legal system. I ask for your continued confidence in me in this difficult time,” the bishop said in the statement.
Bishop Howze, now 84, retired in May 2001. At the time of his retirement, he was the top-ranking active African-American bishop, having served as a bishop since 1972 and head of the Biloxi Diocese since 1977.
rcuit Court in Gulfport alleging retired Biloxi Bishop Joseph L. Howze engaged in inappropriate conduct with an adult man. The incident allegedly took place in January 2007.