EWTN News explains: What does a diocese do when a priest is accused of misconduct?

Bishops must first determine if allegations against a priest have sufficient credibility before launching a formal investigation, according to Monsignor William King, an assistant professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America.

Speaking to EWTN News, King explained that canon law uses the principle of fumus veritatis, or the smoke of truth, to guide this initial stage. This principle does not serve as proof of misconduct but allows a bishop to accept an allegation and begin a prior investigation to gather facts if there is enough suspicion that the claim might be true.

During this early phase, a bishop has the discretion to remove a priest from ministry if he deems it necessary for various reasons. The process is designed to address the alleged misconduct while maintaining the right of priests to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.