Who Is Robert Sullivan? Priest Accused Of Grooming Stripper And Paying Her £215,000 In Hush Money

A Catholic priest in Alabama is facing a church investigation after being accused of grooming a 17-year-old stripper and paying her more than £215,000 to keep quiet about their alleged sexual relationship.

Robert Sullivan, 61, pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Homewood until earlier this month, is alleged to have met Heather Jones in 2009 while she was dancing at a strip club he frequented. In a letter to the Diocese of Birmingham, obtained by the Guardian, Jones claimed that Sullivan initially posed as a doctor before revealing his real identity.

According to Jones, Sullivan offered her $273,000 (about £215,000) to sign a non-disclosure agreement for 'an ongoing relationship that would include financial support in exchange for private companionship'. She alleged the arrangement included sex. Within days, she said, two wire transfers of $136,500 each arrived from an attorney's office.

Years-Long Relationship Alleged

Jones, now 33, claimed their relationship lasted until early 2025, spanning multiple Alabama cities and involving hotel stays, shopping trips, and restaurant outings. She said Sullivan bought her a phone, paid for her rehabilitation during a battle with addiction, and regularly sent her money.

Between July 2024 and March 2025 alone, she alleged, a Venmo account under Sullivan's name transferred nearly $120,000 to her.

Jones said she decided to go public because Sullivan works closely with children and families in his parish. 'Others may be vulnerable to the same type of manipulation and exploitation,' she told the Guardian.

Raised in foster care after what she described as her mother's 'severe neglect', Jones said she initially resisted but eventually agreed to the arrangement because of Sullivan's persistence and her vulnerable state at the time.

Church Response And Internal Probe

Sullivan, who has been a priest for more than 32 years and previously served as president of John Carroll High School, announced on 2 August that he was taking personal leave.

Aside from being a pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, he also served as Vicariate General (commonly referred to as Vicar General) - making him one of the highest-ranking priests in the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham.

Bishop Steven Raica of the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham told parishioners there was not enough evidence for a criminal investigation under Alabama law, which sets the age of consent at 16. The Alabama Department of Human Resources determined the case did not meet the criteria for opening a child abuse inquiry.

However, under Catholic Church canon law, anyone under 18 is considered a minor, meaning the allegations could still be treated as abuse. Raica confirmed the diocese had launched its own investigation and referred the case to the Vatican.

Donald Carson, a spokesperson for the diocese, said an independent review board was assessing the case. Until its conclusion, Sullivan will be barred from public ministry.

Legal And Cultural Complexities

The case highlights the legal grey areas surrounding alleged sexual misconduct by clergy with parishioners above the legal age of consent. Alabama is not among the US states that criminalise sexual relationships between clergy and legal adults under their pastoral care, leaving many such cases to be handled solely within church structures.

Some legal experts have noted that while civil authorities often decline to pursue charges in these situations, the Catholic Church has in recent decades tightened internal rules. Following the global abuse scandal of the early 2000s, the Church set the age of consent for clergy sexual contact at 18 under canon law, regardless of local laws.

Public Reaction

The allegations have polarised public opinion. While some commentators have condemned Sullivan's alleged behaviour as predatory, others have questioned Jones' decision to come forward after more than 15 years, with some online voices speculating the payments stopped.

The diocese of Birmingham has offered Jones free counselling sessions through its Victim Assistance Coordinator.

Whether Sullivan faces canonical penalties, removal from the priesthood, or other sanctions will depend on the outcome of the Vatican's investigation. For now, the case has reignited debate over how the Church and civil authorities respond when accusations involve adults just over the legal threshold but still considered vulnerable under religious law.