Archdiocese: Abuse by Priest a "Credible Allegation"

WOWT
February 17, 2012

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/Archdiocese_Abuse_By_Priest_A_Credible_Allegation_139547068.html?ref=068

The investigation into sexual abuse allegations against an Omaha priest is moving forward. The Archdiocese announced Friday the allegations meet the minimum requirements to refer the case to the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith in Rome.

The Archdiocese of Omaha reported in December that a man claimed he’d been sexually abused as a minor by the Rev. Al Salanitro in the 1990s when the priest was associate pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Omaha.

The allegation was reported to Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine.

Deacon Tim McNeil, chancellor of the Archdiocese, said Archbishop George J. Lucas and the Archdiocesan Review Board, an 11-member volunteer board of childcare experts, law enforcement officials, attorneys, clergy and mental health professionals that advises Lucas on the protection of young people, concluded the evidence met the church’s minimum standard for a credible allegation.

The CDF will review the findings and make a decision as to the next step in the case, which could include a church trial.

Salanitro, most recently the pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Bellevue, remains on an administrative leave of absence.