A woman in Alabama who publicly accused a long-serving Roman Catholic priest of paying her for sex from the age of 17 has said there is "no real winner" following his resignation from the clergy.
Allegations of a Predatory Relationship
In her first statement since the resignation was confirmed, Heather Jones, now 33, said the only gain was "truth finally coming to light after years of gaslighting myself into thinking it wasn't a big deal". Jones alleges her relationship with Father Robert 'Bob' Sullivan, 61, began in 2009 when she was a 17-year-old exotic dancer working at a venue outside Birmingham, Alabama.
She claims Sullivan, a regular patron, offered to "change my life" and proposed an ongoing arrangement involving financial support in exchange for private companionship. This allegedly included shopping trips, meals, and visits to hotel rooms in various Alabama cities for sexual encounters, continuing for several years. Jones stated she was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to remain silent.
A Path to Resignation and Mixed Emotions
Jones, who grew up in foster care, said she was in a "desperate state" and did not initially understand the predatory nature of the relationship. She decided to come forward after learning Sullivan continued to work with families and children as pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows church in Homewood.
She filed a formal complaint with the Birmingham diocese in August 2025. Church officials forwarded the allegations to the Vatican office that handles clergy misconduct. While they found no link between the alleged payments and church funds, Sullivan asked Pope Leo XIV to release him from his priestly duties. The Pope granted this request on 22 November 2025.
"I am experiencing a lot of mixed emotions," Jones wrote. "My hope now is for healing, accountability and protection for anyone who has ever been harmed by someone powerful." She also alluded to the personal cost of speaking out, referencing criminal charges filed against her shortly after she went public.
Legal Context and Aftermath
Under US Catholic Church policy adopted in the early 2000s, sexual contact with anyone under 18 is considered abusive. However, Alabama's age of consent is 16. A state law making it a felony for clergy to have sexual activity with anyone under 19 was not enacted until spring 2024. There is no indication Sullivan has faced scrutiny from Alabama law enforcement.
Meanwhile, Jones faces a misdemeanour charge for allegedly filing a legal motion on behalf of a man in a court case, which prosecutors claim constituted practising law without a licence. A trial is tentatively set for 28 January 2026. Jones has suggested the timing of the charge may be an attempt to undermine her credibility.
Despite the challenges, Jones credited other women who shared similar experiences with giving her strength. "Their voices are the reason I have stayed strong," she said, concluding her statement with a call for continued healing and accountability.
