August 28, 2005

Priest abuse panel puts off ruling

NEW ORLEANS (LA)
The Times-Picayune

Saturday, August 27, 2005
By Bruce Nolan
Staff writer
A lay-dominated review board that advises Archbishop Alfred Hughes said it does not have enough information to evaluate a Harvey man's allegation that a Marrero priest molested him as a child, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of New Orleans said Friday.

"The data available to the review board is not sufficient at this time for the board to render a judgment," said archdiocesan spokesman the Rev. William Maestri.

The archdiocese, as distinct from its advisory panel, continues to believe that Monsignor Raymond Hebert is a victim of mistaken identity, Maestri said.

The review board sent the complaint back for more investigation and asked that it not be resubmitted until a fuller picture is available, he said.

The decision means that Hebert may continue his 53-year career in public ministry.

Posted by kshaw at August 28, 2005 09:49 AM