Parent Complaints Put Kelly under Church Board Review in 2003

By Jennie Rodriguez-Moore
Modesto Bee
April 14, 2012

http://www.modbee.com/

STOCKTON -- Before rape allegations against Catholic priest Michael Kelly surfaced in 2007, a board charged with reviewing sexual misconduct in the Diocese of Stockton had discussed Kelly six to eight times on other complaints, Monsignor Richard Ryan told a civil jury Friday.

The jury has found Kelly liable of sexual misconduct against a plaintiff identified in court papers as John TZ Doe. Now the jury is trying to determine whether the diocese carries any blame. The diocese removed Kelly from ministry after the April 6 verdict in favor of Doe, a former altar boy who said he was molested and raped by Kelly more than 20 years ago.

Church officials did not notify police or child protection in 2007 because none of the concerns raised by parents were deemed sexual in nature by the church, Ryan said.

Bishop Stephen Blaire said in a statement that although his view of the evidence has not changed, he removed Kelly this month to respect the jury's decision and in accordance with the church's charter to protect children.