VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Following the Catholic Diocese of Richmond's decision to remove Father Rob Cole as pastor of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Virginia Beach, some members question the decision.
"I was very taken aback by how everything played out, and we're all still very confused because there's a lot of ambiguity that really comes into this situation," said Chris Magruder, a parishioner of the church.
Court documents allege parishioner Vince Jakawich sexually abused a student of St. John the Apostle Catholic School off campus. Following an investigation from the Diocese, Cole was removed as pastor of the church.
"Why is he having to go through such pain? And suffering on behalf of things that did not happen. He did not commit and things that did not happen on these grounds within our parish within our school," said Magruder.
Magruder is a member of the church's Sword of Truth Rosary Group, which is a prayer group for men. Since Cole was removed from his position, Magruder says the group has become a support group, often praying for him and the families impacted.
"The character that I have received and the love that I have received from this parish priest is enough for me to know the kind of person he is and the fact that he has done [nothing] wrong here," said Magruder.
According to a Sword of Truth Rosary Group letter, Cole was at the church for 15 years. Over those years, he's nearly tripled the church membership, added 70 ministries to the parish, and added architecture around the church's campus.
Magruder says anyone who wants to get to know Cole should visit the church and see how he has expanded the campus.
"Come to this parish, take a look at the fruits of the labor this man has put together. Look at the community that has been built," said Magruder.
Following the Diocese's decision, Cole has shared that he will voluntarily step down from his position at the church, according to the Sword of Truth Rosary Group.
Bishop Barry Knestout has appointed the Very Reverend Esteban De Leon, VF, pastor of Star of the Sea Catholic Church, to temporarily administer the parish.