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Monsignor Landry Restricted from Ministry Amid Allegations of Code-of-Conduct Violations
Confirmed
In Short: The Fall River Diocese has restricted Monsignor Roger Landry from public ministry pending the resolution of allegations involving violations of priestly codes of conduct, according to reports.
The Fall River Diocese, where Monsignor Roger Landry serves as a priest, has restricted him from public ministry pending the resolution of allegations involving violations of priestly codes of conduct, both for the Fall River Diocese and the Archdiocese of New York, according to EWTN News and the National Catholic Register.
Landry, who is the director of the Pontifical Mission Societies USA and has served in various prominent roles, maintains his innocence and states that the allegations do not involve any claims of sexual misconduct, according to his statement to EWTN News.
The investigative and disciplinary process is expected to last between 6 months and a year, during which time Landry will step back from public ministries and engagements, as stated in a privately circulated statement by The Pillar.
Landry, ordained in 1999 by Bishop Seán Patrick O'Malley, has held significant roles in the U.S. Catholic Church, including serving as a key coordinator for the liturgy of the beatification and providing live television commentary for EWTN, according to The Pillar.
What's confirmed
- The Fall River Diocese where Landry serves as a priest said in its statement that it had received allegations that included violations of priestly codes of conduct for both the Fall River Diocese and the Archdiocese of New York, the latter in which Landry currently serves.
- Diocesan leaders determined “that sufficient evidence exists to restrict [Landry] from the public exercise of priestly ministry, pending the resolution of this matter,” a decision it said was in line with its own policy.
- “There are no allegations of sexual activity whatsoever or of misconduct of any kind with a minor,” he said.
- “We are heartbroken by this painful situation involving Monsignor Landry, a longtime friend and valued collaborator who has contributed greatly to the Network’s mission of evangelization,” Warsaw said.
- Monsignor William King, a professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America, told EWTN News on Sept. 11 that typically in such situations a diocese will respond first by launching a preliminary investigation.
- The well-known priest said he was innocent of any canonical violations; the allegations involved no claims of sexual misconduct “whatsoever.” Monsignor Roger Landry, director of the Pontifical Mission Societies USA and a longtime contributor to Church commentary and analysis at EWTN Global Catholic Network, said on Sept.
- The statement said Landry “is entitled to the presumption of innocence while the investigation continues.” In his own statement also released on Sept.
- Landry, who was ordained to the priesthood by then-Fall River Bishop Seán Patrick OʼMalley in 1999, has served a variety of prominent roles in the U.S.
What's still developing
- In a separate statement on Sept. 11, the Pontifical Mission Societies USA said its chief operating officer Douglas Culp would serve as interim national director following Landry’s leave of absence.
- He was appointed to the role in 2024, at which point he was also granted the title of Monsignor.
- A priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Landry was educated at Harvard before entering seminary and trained for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.
- Landry did not respond to a request for comment by The Pillar by time of publication.
- In addition to being slated to serve as a key coordinator for the liturgy of the beatification, Landry had been scheduled to provide live television commentary on events around the beatification for EWTN, and was listed as a guest of honor at a gala dinner the Diocese of Peoria for the 2026 Sheen Awards in honor of Fulton Sheen.