By Kellen Henry
Charleston Gazette
September 30, 2008
http://sundaygazettemail.com/News/200809290776
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A South Charleston priest charged Monday with felony drug possession has been suspended from his priestly responsibilities and removed from his position, pending an investigation.
The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston said it is investigating James Edward O'Connor, according to a news release. O'Connor, 58, was arrested Sunday during a traffic stop and charged with felony possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.
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O'Connor, 58, has been a priest at Blessed Sacrament in South Charleston since 2006. The diocese plans to cooperate fully with authorities while conducting an internal investigation.
"The personnel policy of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is very clear, as are laws of the state of West Virginia, that the use or possession of illegal drugs is prohibited," said diocese spokesman Bryan Minor.
O'Connor and his passenger, former drug counselor Michael Joseph Deegan, 59, were charged in the 300 block of E Street in South Charleston Sunday, according to criminal complaints filed in Kanawha County Magistrate Court.
South Charleston Patrolman S.W. Miller smelled the odor of marijuana coming from O'Connor's vehicle, which was traveling ahead of him, and stopped the vehicle, the officer wrote in the complaint. Miller received permission from O'Connor to search the vehicle and found a black bag containing about 73 grams of marijuana.
In the complaint against Deegan, the officer wrote that he found 152 grams of marijuana, after a police dog indicated the presence of drugs on the passenger side of the vehicle. Deegan had a small bag of marijuana rolled in a white towel, according to the complaint.
Deegan and O'Connor were released from jail after posting $20,000 and $15,000 bonds, respectively.
O'Connor served for 15 years at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Madison and St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Whitesville. He also served as chaplain at Marshall University's Newman Center from 1984 until 1991. O'Connor was known by community members as "the singing priest" and has released eight CDs of vocal music.
Deegan is network development director with APS Healthcare Inc.-W.Va. He is a former a clinical coordinator for SouthWay Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center at Thomas Memorial Hospital. He is a past president of the West Virginia Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors and serves as a legislative representative and PAC Committee Chairman for NAADAC, an association for addiction counselors and educators, according the state affiliate's Web site.
The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston said it may dispatch senior staff or clergy members to help the Blessed Sacrament congregation through the transition.
"Because the pastor is the spiritual leader of his community, such an occurrence can certainly be shocking to parish life," Minor said.
Several members of the church's Parish Pastoral Council said they learned of the suspension late Monday and that no formal discussion had taken place.
"We have a great community and it's strong. We'll be praying for him. I'm sure it will just bring the community closer together," said Matt Hayes, a member of the council.
Reach Kellen Henry at khe@wvgazette.com or 348-5179.
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