Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Diocese of Madison,

I want to provide you with an update on the incredibly difficult and sad news involving Fr. Andrew Showers, one of our diocesan priests.

Earlier today, the Waupaca County District Attorney filed a criminal complaint charging Fr. Showers in connection with an online undercover investigation conducted by a police officer posing as a 14-year-old girl. Fr. Showers faces the following charges:

• Attempted Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime
• Attempted Child Enticement
• Attempted Second Degree Sexual Assault of a Child

Fr. Showers was released from custody after posting bond, and his initial court appearance in Waupaca County has been scheduled for September 30, 2025. Fr. Showers will continue to be completely restricted from all public ministry and barred from having contact with minors while the case is ongoing.

Additionally, I need to share with you that an ongoing review of diocesan files, email messages, and phone records revealed that a complaint about Fr. Showers was made to the diocese by a parent in December 2021. The parent expressed concern about pastoral questions which were asked of a male middle-school child during the Sacrament of Confession. The parish pastor at that time indicated that if the concerned parent felt the need to, he should report the matter to the police. The parent then reported his concerns to the Lodi Police Department. The police met with the father and child, assessed that the incident did not rise to the level of a criminal act, and so did not refer the matter further or pursue it with the diocese. I apologize that this parental complaint was not included in our initial communications.

I share your profound grief over the allegations, and my prayers are with everyone affected by this case. I assure you that staff at the diocese are working closely with the pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and the principal at St. James School, where Fr. Showers was previously assigned, to begin providing mental health support and other resources for their parishioners.

I also recognize that the nature of the allegations is particularly difficult for parents. The charges and the information contained in the criminal complaint are terribly distressing. I continue to ask for your prayers for everyone involved in this situation.

I also wish to remind you that any allegations of sexual misconduct against minors by priests, deacons, or other church personnel should immediately be brought to the attention of law enforcement officials, as well as the Diocese of Madison's Sexual Misconduct Question and Reporting Line at 608-821-3162.

May God be with us in this difficult time and may we take comfort knowing that “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:19).

Yours in Christ,

+Donald J. Hying

Bishop of Madison