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Robert Sullivan, 61, currently on leave as pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Homewood, Alabama, faces serious allegations of engaging in a sexual relationship with Heather Jones when she was a vulnerable teenager in 2009. Jones, now 33, first met Sullivan at a strip club where she worked, according to a letter she submitted to the Diocese of Birmingham and shared with The Guardian.

Jones has alleged that Sullivan paid her hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep the relationship a secret, substantiating her claims with bank records, an email, and a legal agreement. She claims that these payments were meant to keep her quiet about what he alleged was abuse.

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The Silence Breaker

Now a law student, Jones decided to come forward and tell her story before submitting a formal written statement to the Diocese of Birmingham in July of 2025. She explained that Sullivan was still working with families and children at the church, and she was worried that others may be at risk. "Others may be susceptible to the same kind of manipulation and exploitation I went through," she said.

Under Alabama law, the age of consent is 16 years old, and sexual activity between clergy and adults under their spiritual care is not prohibited. However, Catholic canon law considers sexual contact with anyone under 18 years old to be abusive. After the allegations were reported to the Diocese, it was referred to the Alabama Department of Human Resources. The agency refused to investigate but offered counselling services to Jones.

Clergy Response And Leave

Sullivan, a priest with over 32 years of service, informed parishioners on August 3 that he had requested personal leave, approved by Bishop Steven Raica, following “prayer and reflection.” A week later, diocesan vicar general Kevin Bazzel was appointed as the temporary administrator of Our Lady of Sorrows Church.

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Jones shared her rationale for going public, stating she is doubtful that the NDA (non-disclosure agreement) is enforceable and that she has a moral obligation to take action. "Behind closed doors, his behaviour towards me did not represent the values he espoused," Jones said in her letter to church officers.