Edward J. Slattery, a retired Catholic bishop who faced backlash for reinstating a priest implicated in a sexual abuse case, has passed away at the age of 84 at his home in the Tulsa area. The Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma confirmed his death late Friday due to a series of strokes.
Slattery drew criticism in 2002 for his decision to reinstate the Rev. Kenneth Lewis in 1995 after allegations of misconduct emerged. Despite expressing remorse for his actions, Slattery defended his choice, citing a culture of safeguarding the church. However, Lewis was later accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy in 2001 and was ultimately removed from the ministry and resigned in 2007 after pleading guilty to one count of sex abuse.
In addition to the controversy surrounding Lewis, Slattery was part of the bishops who opposed the University of Notre Dame’s decision to honor then-President Barack Obama at its 2009 graduation ceremony. Born in Chicago, Slattery was ordained as a priest in 1966 and became a bishop in 1994, assuming leadership in the Tulsa diocese.
During his tenure, Slattery oversaw the expansion of Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma and initiated a tuition assistance program for Catholic families. He stepped down in 2016 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75 as per church regulations. Slattery is survived by four sisters and a brother.
