A Response to Fr. David Pivonka's Alumni Email
Have you read the documentation?
Last night, someone forwarded Fr. David Pivonka’s email to alumni. Writing from Scotland, Pivonka let alumni know that he has been made aware of social media discussions surrounding Father Gregory Plow. (ETA: I’ve posted the original text of the email at the end of this post - citing formatting issues, the letter was reissued this morning)
Pivonka assures his readers that nothing sexual nor criminal occurred. This raises my first question: did Father Pivonka read the documentation? Joe Loizzo and Father Inghilterra wrote that this was sexual harassment. It is of course possible that Father Pivonka merely heard rumblings and did not open this post which contains several pages of documents related to the allegations against Father Plow.
Next, Pivonka states that no university policy was violated. First of all, Loizzo cites the university’s own policy against workplace harassment and outlines why Plow’s alleged behavior violated it. Additionally, the details of Plow being alone with the complainant violate the order’s policies.
More important - Why not? Why was there no university policy against this kind of behavior? And does the university still have no policies against priests being in women’s dorm rooms with the door closed in the middle of the night? Does the university still have no policies against leaving bruises on students? Any policies established yet to prevent priests from calling young women on their cell phones at all hours, showing up at their place of employment, demanding them to break up with their boyfriends, or perhaps policies against priests treating female students like their girlfriends?
Lastly, worth noting: The Diocese did not say these allegations weren’t credible. Their only findings were this, according to Pivonka’s letter: "Two months ago, the Diocese of Steubenville launched an additional investigation into those same allegations. Those findings also concluded that Father Plow could continue in his priestly ministry at the University.
The question remains: why would the university be comfortable with Father Plow continuing his priestly ministry at the University?
I would like to encourage anyone reading this to also ask Father Pivonka these questions. His email: dpivonka@franciscan.edu
Other persons worth contacting regarding this situation include:
Father James Dunfee, Vicar General of the Diocese of Steubenville: jdunfee@diosteub.org
and his fellow members of the review board for the Diocese of Steubenville:
Judge Frank A. Fregiato: frank.fregiato@co.belmont.oh.us
Dr. Joseph DePalma: drdepalma@comcast.net
Detective Jonathan Sowers: jsowers@cityofsteubenville.us
Michele Santin: (740) 282-0961
Sandra L. Nicholoff: snicholoff@sbcglobal.net
Permanent Deacon Paul D. Ward: pward@diosteub.org
Lastly, in the past 48 hours I have received several messages from others with allegations of Father Gregory Plow’s behavior. I am compiling them and will be posting soon. If you would like to share anonymously, please email me: jennmorson@gmail.com
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original email sent on 6/27/23 to alumni:
June 27, 2023
Peace to each of you from the FUS pilgrimage to Scotland. Over the past 24 hours, I have become aware of social media posts that highlight allegations first raised 11 years ago against Father Gregory Plow, TOR. These allegations did not involve sexual misconduct or criminal conduct.
When the allegations were raised in 2012, Franciscan University investigated the matter in accordance with the policies at that time and reported it immediately to the Diocese of Steubenville. The University's investigation concluded that University policy was not violated, nor did a sexual assault or criminal conduct occur.
Two months ago, the Diocese of Steubenville launched an additional investigation into those same allegations.Those findings also concluded that Father Plow could continue in his priestly ministry at the University.
We take seriously all concerns. I would continue to ask that if you have experienced misconduct or abuse, please bring that information forward. There is no place for misconduct or abuse within our academic and faith community.
We are committed to safety and compassion for those who raise concerns. In fact, I invite anyone awareof additional information on any past situation or who has information or new concerns to please contact Ann Booth, Esq., our Title IX/EEO Coordinator, (abooth@franciscan.edu or 740-283-4338) and/pr the Steybenville Police Department. Anonymous reports may be made to the University through EthicsPoint (EthicsPoint.com or 844-521-7816).
In addition, I invite you to review our Campus Safety policies, which highligh our network of care for our students and campus community. We continue to change and update policies and protocols in accordance with technology and organizational practices.
As president and as an alumnus of this University, I assure you my priority is keeping our students safe and maintaining a campus community that respects the dignity of each person and encourages members to lead lives of intellectual and spiritual maturity. Let's continue to seek to live out the Gospel call to holiness and virtue in every aspect of our life together as we educate, evangelize, and send forth joyful disciples of Jesus Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Peace,
Father Dave Pivonka, TOR
President, Franciscan University