SALEM (MA)
Salem News
By Tom Dalton
Staff writer
SALEM — Things may never be the same for the Rev. Edward Keohan, who spent 17 months in priestly limbo waiting for Archbishop Sean O'Malley to clear him of a sexual abuse allegation. But, slowly, the pieces are falling back together.
Keohan, 73, was exonerated and reinstated to active ministry last month. Two weeks ago, he accepted an assignment as senior priest in residence at Immaculate Conception Church.
It is a homecoming of sorts for Keohan (pronounced Cue-an). Even though his last assignment was at Our Lady of Lourdes in Revere, he spent more than 15 years (1987-2003) as administrator of the former St. Mary's Italian Church in Salem.
He also is good friends with the Rev. Timothy Murphy, pastor of Immaculate Conception. Murphy was with him that night in January 2003 — Keohan's 70th birthday — when news of the charge hit the media. Murphy has stood by his friend ever since.
By all accounts, Keohan has been warmly received at his new parish.
Posted by kshaw at May 10, 2005 01:15 PM