St. Aloysius Pastor on "Indefinite Leave," Catholic Bishop Says

By Dan Petrella
State Journal-Register
January 22, 2013

http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x1578913292/St-Aloysius-pastor-on-indefinite-leave-Catholic-bishop-says

The pastor of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Springfield has been placed on "an indefinite leave of absence for an extended period of professional help and spiritual renewal," Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Springfield Catholic Diocese announced today.

The Rev. Bernard Thomas Donovan, who has been on a leave of absence since mid-December, is seeking treatment from a clinical therapist for "non-sexual self-bondage," according to Paprocki's written statement released on Tuesday.

Donovan called 911 about 4:45 a.m. Nov. 28 after he became trapped in a pair of handcuffs he had put on himself, according to a police report and a recording of the 911 call.

The priest, who was ordained in 2005, told the 911 dispatcher that he was "going to need help getting out before this becomes a medical emergency."

Contact: daniel.petrella@sj-r.com