Covenant House Founder Resigns Over Sex Misconduct Controversy

The priest who founded Covenant House, the nation’s largest organization for runaway youths, resigned Tuesday after months of disputing allegations of sexual misconduct.

“The controversy that has surrounded me for the past three months has made it impossible for me to lead Covenant House effectively,” Father Bruce Ritter said in a statement.

Frank Macchiarola, a former city schools chancellor who served as acting president while the allegations were investigated, also resigned.

Macchiarola, who was named acting president on Feb. 7, said he was quitting because the shelter’s board of directors had voted against his proposals for the future of Covenant House.

A spokeswoman for Macchiarola said he was not available for interviews but said Macchiarola had wanted to conduct reviews, investigations and audits of current practices and make changes.

James J. Harnett, executive vice president and chief operating officer, will take over the shelter until a permanent successor to Ritter is found, the organization announced.

In an interview, Harnett said he expected an international search for a successor to the Franciscan priest to take months and be limited to Roman Catholic nuns, brothers and priests.