VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Catholic Diocese of Richmond has ousted the pastor of a Virginia Beach church amid concerns about his handling of sexual abuse allegations involving one of his parishioners.
"Bishop [Barry] Knestout has determined that St. John the Apostle parish would benefit from new pastoral leadership," the Diocese said in a statement. "Fr. Rob Cole will no longer serve as pastor effective June 12, 2024."
The changes come following a sex abuse scandal between a parishioner and a child in 2020. Court records show Virginia Beach police investigated Vince Jakawich for sexually abusing a student from St. John the Apostle Catholic School. The abuse allegedly happened off of school grounds.
Jakawich turned himself in and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. He has has since died.
The Diocese said Father Esteban De Leon, the pastor of Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Virginia Beach, will continue to serve at St. John's until a new pastor is assigned.