Wood
December 12, 2006
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5797538
Grand Rapids -- A Catholic priest was permanently removed from all ministry duties after allegations he abused at least one child in the 1970s.
Bishop Walter Hurley released Monday morning a statement announcing that Fr. Michael McKenna is prohibited from wearing clerical clothes and presenting himself as a priest.
McKenna, 60, was given a medical leave nearly four years ago, and during that time, allegations surfaced about the alleged sexual abuse approximately 30 years ago. After a review, the diocese found the allegations believable.
 |
| Michael McKenna |
McKenna was ordained in 1973 and was assigned to St. John Vianney in Wyoming. He stayed there for three years, and then was transferred to five different parishes in rapid order. McKenna was a parish priest at Sacred Heart in Muskegon Heights from 1976-77, then spent a month at St. Dominic in Grand Rapids. He spent eight months at St. Francis Xavier in Conklin before moving to Our Lady Consolation in Rockford in 1978. The following year he was transferred to St. Charles in Greenville.
In 1988, McKenna came to St. Mary Magdalen in Kentwood, and stayed until 1994 when he joined St. Mary in Big Rapids. He remained there until he took a sabbatical in 2002, before his medical leave took effect in 2003.
The diocese told 24 Hour News 8 a parishioner came forward in 2003 claiming McKenna abused him when he was a child.
Bishop Hurley said there have been a number of abuse claims against the priest, but won't say exactly how many. He confirmed that once the first allegation came to light, the diocese turned the information over to the prosecutor's office, and once it was verified, the case was also turned over to the Vatican.
"The case just came back from Rome a short time ago," Hurley said, "and once it did, then we met with him, permanently removed him from the ministry and have notified the parishes in which he served and invited other victims to come forward."
In the statement, Bishop Hurley said, "The diocese is deeply saddened by the misconduct and for the pain it has caused those affected by it. Anyone who has been sexually abused as a minor by a priest, deacon or church employee is encouraged to contact the diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator at (616) 243-0491."
No criminal charges have been filed. Under the law, there is no statute of limitations for first-degree criminal sexual conduct. But there is a 10-year limitation for second- through fourth-degree CSC.
24 Hour News 8 learned the victims who came forward are not suing. We'll continue to follow this story and have more details as they develop.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.