Pastor Quits Over Sex Abuse Remarks

A former top official of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas has resigned as a pastor after suggesting that parents share the blame for a priest’s alleged sexual abuse of 11 boys.

Msgr. Robert C. Rehkemper was severely criticized for his comments after a recent civil trial brought a $119.6-million judgment against the diocese and the priest.

Rehkemper, 73, was vicar general of the diocese from 1974 to 1992, when Father Rudy Kos allegedly assaulted altar boys.

After the trial, Rehkemper spoke of the boys’ parents, saying “If they were not responsible, why is the diocese responsible? We live in an age when people don’t want to be responsible for anything.”