January 18, 2006

Panel reviews sex claims against priest

COLUMBUS (OH)
The Columbus Dispatch

Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Dennis M . Mahoney
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Members of a Columbus Catholic Diocese board that reviews clergy sex-abuse cases are weighing what should be done about a priest accused of abusing a minor.

The diocese yesterday would not name the priest or provide details of the allegations against him.

The seven-member review board, set up after the sex-abuse scandal that rocked the U.S. church in 2002, was briefed on the case by diocesan officials yesterday, said Robin Miller, spokeswoman for the diocese.

The board will consider the case and make a recommendation to Bishop Frederick Campbell on what action, if any, should be taken against the priest, she said. The bishop will make the final decision.

Miller said she could not name the priest, give the age or gender of his alleged victim, disclose when or where the alleged abuse occurred or say when the allegation was first made.

Posted by kshaw at January 18, 2006 11:51 AM