The Catholic Diocese of Richmond released a statement on Thursday celebrating the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope.

Comments are going around on social media, saying there were problems with administration.

A man who once served in the St. Andrew church in Roanoke has been accused of child sexual abuse, according to the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.

RICHMOND, Va. The Catholic Diocese of Richmond has announced it has started a review of child sexual abuse allegations involving four retired or inactive priests. According to a release from the dioceses office, none of the accused priests are actively serving in ministry and the diocese has not reached a conclusion on any of the allegations. The accused priests will not be allowed to publicly practice until the rivew is over, and officials say the accused are presumed innocent until the review is over. We continue to pray for their healing and for their loved ones who support them.The Diocesan Review Board will make recommendations to Bishop Knestout as part of the review process which the diocese says will help Bishop Knestout determine a response to the allegations. Officials say the diocese has also notified the authorities.

ROANOKE, Va. The limited celebration of public Masses will resume this weekend within the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. According to the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, parishioners will return to the pews for the first time since March 22, which is when public masses were temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 health crisis. Appropriate social distancing and other protocols will be followed per current health and state guidelines, according to the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. The Catholic Diocese of Richmond released these guidelines ahead of the reopening.