The FBI says it has recently spoken to a Catholic priest and a choir director at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., but the interviews were part of an investigation into an individual, not the Catholic Church.
An FBI spokeswoman says the agency interviewed Father Walter Rossi, rector of the basilica, and Mark Puncochar, the choir director, in an effort to learn what, if anything, either might know about the individual under investigation.
She added that the interviews had nothing to do with the Catholic Church and the individual under investigation was not a faith leader. The spokeswoman declined to provide further details about the individual and the investigation.
The FBI’s Washington field office has been conducting interviews at other Catholic institutions as part of an investigation into Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, a prominent figure in the Church who has been accused of sexually abusing minors.
The spokeswoman did not confirm whether the investigation into McCarrick was related to the interviews at the basilica, though she said the FBI would look into any allegations of abuse or misconduct as part of its investigation into the individual.
The archdiocese of Washington said in a statement that it was “cooperating fully with the FBI” but would have no further comment. The basilica did not respond to a request for comment.
