# DOJ investigation into FBI surveillance of Catholic clergy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/doj-investigation-into-fbi-surveillance-of-catholic-clergy
> Updated: 2026-08-30T22:19:22.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

A Department of Justice Weaponization Working Group report has detailed FBI surveillance of Catholic priests and clergy linked to a 2023 Richmond memo. The memo had characterized “radical traditional Catholics” as potential domestic violent extremists, utilizing framing from the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The investigation found that the FBI conducted physical surveillance and tracked the financial and travel movements of two priests associated with the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX). Although the FBI ultimately concluded these individuals posed no national security threat, the report alleges that internal work on the memo continued even after headquarters ordered its deletion in February 2023.

While the personnel responsible for the document have been terminated, the report criticizes the bureau for taking minimal corrective action following the initial leak. Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel have condemned the incident, stating the department will not tolerate a “weaponized bureaucracy” that infringes on First Amendment activities or chills religious practice.

## Claims

- The FBI took minimal corrective action following the leak of the Richmond memo regarding traditionalist Catholics. (disputed)
- Personnel responsible for the Richmond memo have been terminated from their roles. (disputed)
- A 2024 watchdog review found no evidence of religious bias by those who created the memo. (single source)
- Internal work on the memo continued via an analyst revising the document after it was publicly withdrawn in February 2023. (single source)
- FBI counterterrorism specialists questioned the connection between the religious community and violent extremism. (single source)
- The FBI investigated two priests linked to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X. (single source)
- Investigations into the priests found no identified threat to national security and no federal violations. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-30: DOJ report alleges minimal FBI action after Richmond Catholic memo

A DOJ report alleges the FBI took minimal action after a 2023 memo targeted traditionalist Catholics, revealing that internal work on the document continued even after its public withdrawal.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/doj-report-alleges-minimal-fbi-action-after-richmond-catholic-memo

### 2026-08-28: FBI surveilled Catholic priests regarding Richmond memo, DOJ report finds

A DOJ report reveals the FBI surveilled Catholic priests and continued working on a controversial memo targeting traditional Catholics after headquarters ordered its deletion.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fbi-surveilled-catholic-priests-regarding-richmond-memo-doj-report-finds

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Cite as: DOJ investigation into FBI surveillance of Catholic clergy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/doj-investigation-into-fbi-surveillance-of-catholic-clergy