Review of Sex Abuse Allegation against Priest Finds Claim 'Credible'

By David C.l. Bauer
The Journal-Courier
January 14, 2014

http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/home_top-news/671212/Review-of-sex-abuse-allegation-against-priest-finds-claim-credible


A preliminary investigation into allegations of clerical sexual misconduct with a minor more than 30 years ago has been concluded in the case of a longtime Jacksonville priest and determined the allegation is credible.

The Diocesan Review Board’s decision is not a conviction of the Rev. Robert “Bud” DeGrand, but addresses whether the allegation and other information are enough to reasonably suspect there has been sexual abuse of a minor, according to a statement from the Diocese of Springfield.

The diocese covers Catholic churches for 130 parishes in 28 central Illinois counties and includes Jacksonville.

The findings of the group — similar to a grand jury in a criminal court — will be sent to the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which will determine further proceedings. The diocese has also informed the Morgan County state’s attorney and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services of its determination.

DeGrand is pastor of parishes in Sigel, Neoga, Green Creek and Lillyville, but has been on leave since the allegations first surfaced last summer. He will remain on leave from public ministry while the process continues.

In September, church officials were information of allegations of misconduct that took place in 1980 while DeGrand was at Our Saviour Parish in Jacksonville. He also has served at parishes in Bluffs, Winchester and Granite City.

Within three days of being told of the allegation, a review board said it had a “semblance of truth,”prompting Bishop Thomas John Paprocki to initiate a preliminary investigation.

“The Springfield diocese takes such allegations very seriously,” Paprocki said in a statement. “We have a strict ‘Policy on Sexual Abuse of Minors by Church Personnel’ that reflects our desire to safeguard the welfare of minors in our parishes, institutions and programs. It also reflects our determination to deal properly and decisively with any allegation of sexual abuse of minors.”

Details of the allegation have not been made public.

The state’s attorney’s office has previously said the statute of limitations had run out and criminal charges could not be sought. DCF determined it was unable “to document credible evidence of child abuse or neglect in the investigation,” according to the diocesan statement.

"This means essentially that children are not presently at risk, but no definitive conclusion could be reached about the allegation from the 1980s,” according to the statement.