IOWA
Press-Citizen
By From staff and wire reports
A former bishop of the Sioux City Roman Catholic diocese, who served as principal at Regina High School for nine years, was accused of child sex abuse during his tenure in Iowa City.
A report issued this week by Davenport Bishop William Franklin states there were three allegations against retired Sioux City Bishop Lawrence Soens and the diocese settled one of those allegations for $20,000 in October.
The accusations stem from alleged acts in the early- to mid-1960s, according to the report. Davenport diocese spokesman Deacon David Montgomery said Soens served as Regina High School's principal from 1958 to 1967. Montgomery said he did not know whether the abuse allegations involve Regina.
"I don't have that information," Montgomery said. "The victim wanted to remain anonymous; I know that. That's probably why I don't know."
It is the latest in allegations against priests formerly assigned to Iowa City, though only the second accusation apparently linked to a priest's local service. The Johnson County Attorney's Office continues to investigate sexual abuse allegations against the Rev. Paul Deyo, who taught at Regina in the 1990s.
Posted by kshaw at January 20, 2005 04:45 PM