Iowa Priest Faces Sexual Abuse Charge Former St. Albert Student Lodges Allegation, KETV, February 2, 2007

Iowa Priest Faces Sexual Abuse Charge
Former St. Albert Student Lodges Allegation

KETV
February 2, 2007

http://www.ketv.com/news/10912814/detail.html

Omaha, Neb. — An Iowa priest has been placed on leave after a student made allegations of sexual abuse.

A news release from the Diocese of Des Moines said The Rev. Phillip Hobt faces charges of sexually abusing a former Council Bluffs St. Albert High School student.

The release said the former student made the allegations earlier this week, and law enforcement and the Diocese are investigating.

Rev. Phillip Hobt

Hobt is on leave. He is not currently in the Council Bluffs area on the request of the school, and he has not been charged.

The school's Web site shows that Hobt teaches morality and religion courses. A school official said he taught high school students for 12 years.

School President Brian Osborne said he was surprised and disappointed by the news.

"(The) reaction to me is similar to the process of mourning. I've gone through a whole share of emotions myself. He's a friend," Osborne said. "There are some folks very angry, a lot of tears shed. Some folks very sad."

Hobt also conducts mass once a week at St. Peter's and St. Patrick's in Council Bluffs.