Priest Cleared in Bizarre 911 Call Rejoins Quincy Church

Connect Tristates
July 1, 2014

http://www.connecttristates.com/news/story.aspx?id=1064689#.U7PTVPl_uSp

A priest who made headlines for unusual behavior last year has a new assignment at a Quincy catholic church.

The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois announced that Father Thomas Donovan began Tuesday as a parochial vicar at St. Peter Parish.

Donovan returned to the ministry last fall after a bizarre 911 call in January 2013.

He dialed 911 after handcuffing himself inside a church rectory in Springfield.

Investigators said no crime took place.

An organization called SNAP, which stands for Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, sent a news release to KHQA about Donovan's assignment.

Father Michael Kuse says area residents do not have anything to worry about.

"The people who know him just completely trust him," he said. "I think he'll do wonderful ministry there. I'm delighted he's back. I know the people will be, too."

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki said a St. Peter parishioner asked if Father Donovan could return to that parish since he served there during his first assignment as a priest from 2005 to 2008.

Paprocki said several people in the parish were consulted and thought Father Donovan would be welcomed back.

A special panel through the Diocese of Springfield concluded that Father Donovan is not a danger to himself or others.