PHOENIX (AZ)
azcentral.com
Joseph A. Reaves
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 29, 2004 04:45 PM
Monsignor Dale Fushek, founder of the nation's largest Roman Catholic youth organization, was placed on administrative leave Wednesday while his superiors investigate an allegation of a sexual nature brought by a former parishioner.
A spokeswoman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix confirmed for The Arizona Republic that an attorney representing the parishioner alerted church leaders to the allegations Tuesday. "An allegation was brought to us by an attorney whose client claims a repressed memory involving Msgr. Dale Fushek," said Mary Jo West, communications director for the diocese.
"We have not received a claim or demand for money. We're investigating the matter." advertisement
Fushek's attorney, Michael Manning, said the diocese routinely puts priests on administrative leave while church officials investigate allegations. In this case, Manning said, he was certain Fushek was innocent.
"I know from speaking with him that there is absolutely no grounds for these allegations," Manning said.