VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – The Rev. Rob Cole of St. John the Apostle Church has until Wednesday to decide if he wants to resign as pastor or take leave while he challenges his removal. This decision comes in the wake of an investigation by The Diocese of Richmond into claims made against a now-deceased parent at the parish school.
The Diocese put Rev. Cole on temporary leave last month after a parish parent went public with allegations of sexual abuse against another parishioner involving her daughter.
Meredith Hatchell, the mother of a St. John student, told WAVY she had notified school officials in early May that a parent, whom she later identified as Vincent Jakawich, had allegedly molested her daughter. Hatchell also informed the school that she had reported the allegation to the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD).
She told WAVY that on May 8, her 12-year-old daughter told her that a neighbor allegedly had sexually abused her when she was seven. Her daughter identified the man as 45-year-old Jakawich.
Hatchell also told WAVY there were indications that Jakawich took his own life in Currituck County, North Carolina, shortly after these allegations emerged.
WAVY 10 reached out to VBPD, asking if they were continuing to investigate the allegations brought forth by Hatchell.
VBPD responded, stating the report was “exceptionally cleared” due to the death of the accused. They said they also provided Hatchell with support resources.
The diocese said in a May statement that during its investigation, Cole had been placed on temporary leave, and that St. John the Apostle Principal Mariam Cotton had decided to retire.
Following a meeting on June 7 between Cole and Bishop of Richmond Barry Knestout, the SJA men’s rosary group Sword of Truth described in a letter to members the options from which Cole must choose.
He could step down and be given a new assignment role in the diocese, although the letter said the “bishop has not decided what this new assignment would be,” or he could choose to “fight” the case under church law, which means he must leave the parish and have no financial support.
That option would require him to hire a canon lawyer – an expert in the legal systems that govern the Catholic Church – for what is typically a lengthy process.
The diocese did not respond immediately to questions from WAVY about why Cole is facing sanctions.
Hatchell distributed notes to parents that identified Jakawich and advised parents to talk with their kids if they’ve ever spent time at the Jakawich home.
Parishioners who have spoken with WAVY have been supportive of Cole, who has led the parish for about 15 years.
“My sons were baptized here. They had their first communion and confirmation here,” Jerry Donnelly said Monday afternoon while expressing surprise the development. “But I also was lucky I saw father Rob at One Life Fitness a lot. So outside the church, very down to earth, well-spoken, friendly, always going out his way to talk to members.”
“To say the members of this parish are devastated would be an understatement,” parishioner Paul Kenney wrote in an email to WAVY over the weekend.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.