SEATTLE (WA)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
By ATHIMA CHANSANCHAI AND CLAUDIA ROWE
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTERS
An edict from the Vatican allowed the Archdiocese of Seattle yesterday to move forward on allegations of child sexual abuse and permanently bar retired priest James Gandrau from ministry.
Gandrau, 72, former pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish in Ballard and St. Monica Catholic Church on Mercer Island, was one of 13 priests investigated by an independent panel of judges, lawyers and child sexual abuse experts two years ago. He is the fifth priest in the archdiocese to be removed from ministry because of allegations of molesting minors.
Seattle Archbishop Alex Brunett released a statement that said: "The Archdiocese of Seattle regrets any harm to the victims of child sexual abuse by a member of the clergy or any of its employees. We released information today regarding the case of James Gandrau in accordance with our policies to promote healing."
Gandrau declined to comment yesterday, referring calls to his attorney, Thomas Frey.