Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska
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September 7, 2022Yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, Sept. 6) the Anchorage Daily News published an article about Fr. Gerardus Hauwert, IVE regarding an allegation of misconduct while he was serving in the Diocese of San Jose in 2011. Father Gerardus is currently serving at Immaculate Conception Church in Fairbanks. The ADN article is based on a previous article published in the San Jose Mercury News in 2018. When the ADN contacted us about the 2018 article the following statement was released:
Father Gerardus Hauwert is a priest of the Institute of the Incarnate Word currently serving in the Diocese of Fairbanks. Father Hauwert came to Fairbanks at the recommendation of his religious superiors after having served in Greenland, the Diocese of Peterborough in Ontario, Canada and the Diocese of San Jose in California. We are aware of the October 21, 2018 Mercury News article related to allegations against Fr. Hauwert. We reached out to the Diocese of San Jose and confirmed that at no time were his priestly faculties suspended and he remained a priest in good-standing. He has left each of his pastoral assignments as a priest in good-standing in the respective dioceses he has served. Consistent with the policies of the Diocese of Fairbanks, Fr. Hauwert passed the criminal background check and completed the annual safe environment training that is required to serve in this diocese.
We as a diocese are committed to creating a safe environment for everyone. Please remind the faithful that if they are aware of abuse they are encouraged to report the abuse to local law enforcement agencies and to contact our Victim Assistance Coordinator, Alicia Menard, at 907-374-9553.
Rev. Robert Fath, JCL
Diocese of Fairbanks
Vicar General/Judicial Vicar