The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has clarified that its interviews with a Catholic priest and the director of a Catholic church choir in Maryland last month were not part of an investigation into the Catholic Church, but focused on “an individual.”
The clarification comes after a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Baltimore confirmed that the FBI had interviewed Rev. Michael Briese and choir director Robert Talone last month as part of an investigation, but did not specify the nature of the inquiry.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the FBI said it was “following up on information in connection with an ongoing investigation of an individual.”
The FBI did not provide further details about the individual or the investigation, nor did it indicate whether any charges have been filed against the individual.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore confirmed to The Washington Post this week that the FBI had visited St. Anthony of Padua Church in Eldersburg, Maryland, to speak with Father Briese and Talone on April 23. The church was identified as the site of a Mass on Easter Sunday.
The Archdiocese said that it had not been informed of the nature of the investigation or of any charges against the individual.
“We have cooperated fully with the FBI’s inquiries, which thankfully have not targeted the Catholic Church,” the Archdiocese said in a statement. “We urge respect for the privacy of all involved in this matter to ensure fair and thorough investigation that leads to the truth.”
The FBI statement added, “As a standard practice, information concerning FBI investigations, including whether charges have been filed, is not released to the public before a court proceeding.”
