Fairbanks priest placed on leave amid FBI inquiry

By Rod Boyce
News Miner
May 24, 2014

http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/fairbanks-priest-placed-on-leave-amid-fbi-inquiry/article_e9b53388-e2f0-11e3-90b5-001a4bcf6878.html#.U4AYcBog2h4.twitter

FAIRBANKS—The priest assigned to Sacred Heart Cathedral has been placed on administrative leave amid allegations of computer misconduct on the Internet, the Diocese of Fairbanks announced Friday evening.

The actions of Rev. Clint Landry, ordained as a priest three years ago, are being investigated by the FBI, according to Diocesan spokesman Robert Hannon.

Landry, 57, has not been charged with a crime.

Sacred Heart is the largest Catholic congregation in Fairbanks, with about 1,000 people attending Sunday services.

Landry, who presided at services at the church, is the parochial vicar assigned to Sacred Heart and is under the direction of Archbishop Roger L. Schwietz, the apostolic administrator overseeing the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks. The diocese is awaiting the appointment of a bishop to replace Bishop Donald Kettler, who was reassigned to Minnesota last year by Pope Francis.

Hannon declined to elaborate on the nature of the alleged misconduct by Landry, citing the ongoing investigation. He did say that the reported misconduct involved the use of diocesan computers and the Internet.

Ronnie Rosenberg, director of human resources and legal coordinator for the diocese, said the diocese acted swiftly upon receiving a report of misconduct. She said Alaska State Troopers were contacted and that the troopers turned over the investigation to the FBI.

“At the time we were notified of potential misconduct, immediate measures were taken. The computer was secured and law enforcement was notified,” she said.

“We have notified all ministerial personnel,” she said. “At this time Rev. Landry is on administrative leave, relieved of all pastoral duties by order of Archbishop Schwietz in Anchorage.”

Father Kasparaj Mallavarapu of St. Raphael Catholic Church will conduct services at Sacred Heart Cathedral this weekend.