Release Date: Feb. 9, 2024
Media Release Concerning Seminarian Broderick Witt
The following email was sent to the seminary community this afternoon by Father Anthony Brausch, Rector of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology. We have no further comment at this time due to the ongoing nature of the below referenced investigation.
To: Seminarians, Faculty, and Staff,
I am writing to let you know that this morning officers of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department were on the grounds to interview Mr. Broderick Witt and to execute a search warrant on his living quarters. Mr. Witt has been taken into custody by the sheriff. The officers informed me that Mr. Witt would be charged with pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor.
Mr. Witt is no longer a student of this institution, nor a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
The seminary and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati have strict policies against, and take significant precautions to prevent, anyone from possessing or accessing material of this type, regardless of whether they are a student, faculty, or staff. Discovery of such material will result in immediate termination or dismissal and notification of law enforcement.
We have cooperated, and will continue to cooperate, fully with law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office. We are committed to doing all we possibly can to remove the scourge of child exploitation and abuse from our Church and society.
Rev. Anthony R. Brausch, Rector
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 51st largest Catholic diocese in the country, with around 435,000 Catholics, and has the fifth largest Catholic school system in terms of enrollment with nearly 40,000 students. The 19-county territory includes 208 canonical parishes organized into 57 Families of Parishes, and 113 Catholic primary and secondary schools.
Jennifer Schack
Director of Media Relations
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Office | 513.263.6618
Cell | 859.512.5626
