PHOENIX (AZ)
AZCentral.com
Jul. 10, 2005 12:00 AM
Since Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted took over the Phoenix Diocese in December 2003, at least 11 priests have been removed from their posts or resigned. Besides the five who signed the Phoenix Declaration, the priests include:
• The Rev. Michael Minogue, who resigned in June. The diocese said health reasons were behind his departure from the Sun City West parish, Our Lady of Lourdes/Prince of Peace.
A subsequent letter from Olmsted to parishioners said that when Minogue returned from sick leave, "he needs to resolve another serious matter . . . an allegation of sexual harassment." The accuser is the same individual who accused the Rev. Ken Van de Ven, a declaration signer, of sexual harassment. Minogue, who is close friends with Van de Ven, denied the allegations.
"This is kind of a serious misunderstanding by the diocese, and I hope when their investigation is complete, I will be exonerated," Minogue said.