COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Plain City man who worked at the Saint Brigid of Kildare parish as a safe environment coordinator was indicted for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material.
John Denzel, 60, was charged with 11 counts of illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity and four counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor. According to the indictment, the alleged offenses occurred from July 6, 2022, and Jan. 3, 2023.
The indictment says that Denzel knowingly solicited, received, purchased, exchanged, possessed, or controlled material that shows a minor participating or engaging in sexual activity.
St. Brigid of Kildare Parish, is a parish and pre-K through 8th grade school. A spokesperson for the Catholic Diocese of Columbus said a diocesan administrator was made aware on Aug. 6 of “the shocking and reprehensible criminal allegations filed against John Denzel.”
Denzel had served in various roles at St. Brigid since 2017 but was given the position of safe environment coordinator in 2022. He was fired immediately after the administration was made aware of the indictment.
Bishop Earl K. Fernandes mandated an immediate evaluation of the hiring and onboarding process for all parish-level safe environment coordinators, according to the spokesperson.
“St. Brigid of Kildare and the Diocese of Columbus administrations are working in full cooperation with local law enforcement as they proceed with a thorough investigation,” a statement read. “The Diocese of Columbus stands firm on a zero-tolerance policy that holds all staff and volunteers to a high standard of conduct, no exceptions. The Diocese of Columbus takes child protection seriously and remains vigilant in combating all forms of child abuse.”
He was arraigned in court last week and is expected to be back in court on Sept. 4.
