Wisconsin priest faces new charges for child sex abuse material
Father Andrew J. Showers, a priest in the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, faces two new felony counts of possession of child pornography. The new charges stem from an investigation into digital devices seized during his August 2025 arrest for child enticement and attempted sexual assault. The initial arrest involved sexually explicit exchanges with an undercover sergeant posing as a 14-year-old girl online. Father Showers is scheduled for an initial court appearance regarding the new possession charges on April 14.
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Father Andrew J. Showers, a 38-year-old priest from the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, faces two new felony counts of possession of child pornography, charged on March 27, 2026.1
These charges stem from an investigation of digital devices seized during his August 2025 arrest.1
He is scheduled for an initial court appearance on April 14.1
Showers was arrested on August 24, 2025, for child enticement, using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, and attempted second-degree sexual assault of a child.1
He allegedly tried to meet an undercover sergeant posing as a 14-year-old girl named "Abby" after explicit exchanges on Reddit and Telegram.1
He pleaded not guilty on September 30, 2025, posted a $10,000 bond, and remains free pending a September 30 court date.1
A 2021 complaint involved pastoral questions asked to a middle-school boy during confession; local police found no criminal act.1
In 2024, a woman alleged groping by Showers at a public event, but the diocese claims it lacked key details like the priest's name until after his arrest.1
Bishop Donald J. Hying stated the diocese would have acted immediately if informed earlier.1
Bishop Hying expressed "profound sorrow" over the new charges, calling them "deeply troubling," and confirmed full cooperation with authorities.1
Restrictions on Showers from last year remain in place; the diocese is not involved in his defense.1
He urged reporting misconduct to law enforcement and the diocese's hotline, and prayed for healing and justice.1
The 2025 and 2026 charges are separate, ongoing cases with potential sentences of 20-40 years and fines up to $100,000.1
Showers is not currently incarcerated, and responses from prosecutors and his attorney are pending.1
Assess Catholic doctrine on clergy sexual abuse prevention
Catholic doctrine views the prevention of clergy sexual abuse as an essential imperative rooted in the Gospel's call to protect the vulnerable, particularly minors and vulnerable adults, while upholding the sanctity of the sixth commandment. It emphasizes proactive measures like rigorous formation, mandatory reporting, safe environment programs, and institutional accountability to foster holiness, vigilance, and conversion of heart among clergy and the faithful.
The Church teaches that sexual abuse, especially by those in authority like clergy, constitutes an intrinsically grave evil, wounding justice, charity, and the victim's physical, moral, and spiritual integrity. Rape and related acts, including those against minors by parents or educators, cause lifelong scars and scandal. Such delicts include violations of the sixth commandment through violence, threats, abuse of authority, or acts with minors (under 18), vulnerable adults, or involving child pornography. Prevention begins with recognizing these as offenses against God, demanding "a continuous and profound conversion of hearts" attested by "concrete and effective actions" involving all in the Church.
“The crimes of sexual abuse offend Our Lord, cause physical, psychological and spiritual damage to the victims and harm the community of the faithful.”
This aligns with broader moral teachings on chastity, lust, and temperance, urging avoidance of excesses that endanger others.
Prevention hinges on thorough human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation to ensure candidates possess qualities for ministry without risk to the vulnerable. For permanent deacons, formation integrates Church teaching on sexuality, morality, and the USCCB's Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons. Programs must cover Scripture, theology, morality (including social doctrine and health care ethics), and appreciation of celibacy and chastity. Bishops bear responsibility for discerning vocations, excluding those unfit, with ongoing priestly formation emphasizing prayer, fraternity, and awareness of abuse signs.
The 2001 norms (Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela) reserve grave delicts like clerical abuse of minors to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, underscoring the need for proper screening and formation to avert them. Dioceses must evaluate candidates annually, communicating early if qualities are lacking to avoid false hopes.
Bishops must develop guidelines for "safe environments," including education to recognize abuse signs, benefiting both Church and society. These programs aid parents, pastoral workers, and schools in prevention. In the Roman Curia and Vatican, norms mandate awareness of reporting duties, prosecution of abuses, victim support, fair trials, and training on protection.
“The protection of minors and vulnerable persons is an integral part of the Gospel message... we all have the duty to welcome openheartedly minors and vulnerable persons and to create a safe environment for them.”
Episcopal Conferences assist bishops with procedures balancing canon/civil law, victim assistance, and privacy.
Vos estis lux mundi (2019, updated 2023) establishes universal norms: clerics and consecrated persons must report known or suspected abuses promptly to the local Ordinary or equivalents, without violating confidentiality. Dioceses provide accessible offices for reports, ensuring confidentiality and transmission to competent authorities (e.g., Metropolitan, Dicastery for Doctrine of the Faith). Lay faithful can report via any means. Retaliation against reporters is prohibited and itself a delict.
Investigations by Metropolitans or delegates prioritize facts, victim dignity (spiritual/psychological aid), and presumption of innocence. These prevent cover-ups by mandating information exchange and prohibiting interference with probes.
The 2011 CDF Circular Letter urges guidelines treating victims with respect, informing the accused (unless contraindicated), and excluding unfit clerics from ministry. Bishops cannot delegate ultimate discernment.
Successors of the Apostles lead prevention, modeling virtue as "vicars and legates of Christ." They ensure victim support, fair processes, and rehabilitation for the wrongly accused. For higher clerics (bishops, etc.), reports go to specific Dicasteries. All must pursue civil law obligations where applicable.
Doctrine acknowledges past failures, urging learning from "bitter lessons" via grace-enabled conversion. Nuances include balancing mercy with justice, as in pastoral care for penitents, but prevention prioritizes structural safeguards over isolated acts of forgiveness. Sources uniformly stress higher authority (magisterial documents like Vos estis) and recency (e.g., 2023 updates).
In summary, Catholic doctrine mandates a multifaceted prevention strategy—formation, education, reporting, and accountability—grounded in Gospel protection of the weak, with bishops as primary guardians. Implementation requires vigilant adherence to these norms for the Church's credibility and mission.