Some Question Priest Appointment at Holy Family, Local 12, May 2, 2008

Some Question Priest Appointment at Holy Family

Local 12
May 2, 2008

http://www.local12.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=90bac139-5914-4cee-9feb-a7f76fed9383

[with video]

Some members of a Price Hill Church are leaving the parish because of their new priest. Father James Kiffmeyer was once investigated for alleged sexual impropriates. But he was never convicted of anything.

VIDEO: Some Question Priest Appointment at Holy Family

Local 12 Reporter Jeff Hirsh visits Holy Family Church to explain why some parishioners plan to leave.

Holy Family Parish

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati named Father James Kiffmeyer as Pastoral Administrator yesterday. Members of the parish did have input, but now, some parishioners are talking about output ... getting out. It's yet another controversy for the church.

"Are we taking a risk with our kids?"

Christi Eisenberg likes building communities. She's helping put up this house for charity. Eisenberg is also part of a church reform group ... Voices of the Faithful ... which protested recently at Holy Family Church in Price Hill. The protestors told the Archdiocese, don't put Father James Kiffmeyer in charge.. Father Kiffmeyer was on administrative leave for four years while allegations of sexual misconduct were investigated. Now he's Pastoral Administrator at Holy Family ... with a monitor to keep tabs.

Christi Eisenberg, Voices of the Faithful: "And it's a failed strategy. I guess it's a flimsy thing that's better than no strategy, but the strategy that works is to keep him away from youth and kids."

Father Kiffmeyer is no stranger in this parish. He grew up here, went to school here and attended mass here during his suspension.

"He got a 92 per cent acceptance rate by the parish, which is pretty good."

Fr James Kiffmeyer

The Kiffmeyer investigation dealt with a couple of alleged alcohol-related incidents with students about 20 years ago ... when Kiffmeyer was teaching at Fenwick High School. No criminal charges were ever filed. The statute of limitations ran out. The Vatican reinstated Father Kiffmeyer in 2006.

Tom Gamel, Holy Family Parish Spokesperson: "All I do know is that he was cleared by the Holy Father in the Vatican to become a priest and a pastor and we're thrilled to have him."

But not all are thrilled. Some might leave.

Sheila Rosenthal, Parish Member: "We are questioning our commitment to the church and the faith because we don't feel like the things we're seeing that the church believes in or is committed to are things that we believe in or are committed to."

We were told by the parish spokesperson that Father Kiffmeyer has no comment. In the past, he has denied any sexual misconduct.

Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk says everything has been done to meet parish concerns about the appointment ... and parishioners should be understanding and supportive.