March 02, 2006

Priest takes leave amid allegations of sexual misconduct

CAIRO (NY)
Daily Freeman

By Mary Fairchild, Freeman staff 03/02/2006

CAIRO - A Roman Catholic priest who is the pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Cairo and Our Lady of Knock Mission in East Durham has taken a leave of absence amid allegations that he sexually abused a male child some 30 years ago, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany announced on Wednesday.

The Rev. Jeremiah Nunan denies the allegations against him and took the leave voluntarily, according to a prepared statement from the diocese. Nunan's parishioners were told about his leave during Masses on Saturday and Sunday, the diocese said.

Diocese spokesman Ken Goldfarb said the complaint of sexual misconduct against Nunan has been referred to the Independent Mediation Assistance Program for investigation. The IMAP was created in 2004 by the Albany diocese to look into allegations of abuse against young people by current or former priests or deacons in the diocese.

Posted by kshaw at March 2, 2006 06:33 AM