Bishop: ‘No animosity’ toward priest

By Thomas John Paprocki
Journal-Courier
May 26, 2015

http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/home_top-news-opinion-opinion_columns/153701392/Bishop:-No-animosity-toward-priest

Your publication recently reported about a letter from the Rev. Robert L. DeGrand regarding my removal of him as pastor of the parishes in Sigel, Neoga, Green Creek and Lillyville.

I wish to assure people that I have no animosity toward Father DeGrand. I am only following the required process for handling accusations of clerical sexual misconduct with minors and the zero-tolerance policy established in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the Essential Norms for Diocesan Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons, adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops with the approval of the Vatican.

According to the Charter and Essential Norms, each diocese is to have a Review Board “to advise the diocesan bishop in his assessment of allegations of sexual abuse of minors and in his determination of a cleric’s suitability for ministry.”

Our Diocesan Review Board unanimously found that the allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor against Father DeGrand was credible and I accepted their finding.

Father DeGrand was removed because he has refused to cooperate with the Review Board and declined the opportunity they offered to review its finding.

As long as that finding stands, I cannot and will not, return Father DeGrand to ministry.

As Diocesan bishop, it is my duty to protect minors from harm in our parishes. At the same time, I understand how difficult this has been for Father DeGrand and everyone involved. I will continue to pray for peace and reconciliation for Father DeGrand, the alleged victim, the parishioners and our diocese.

May we all remember that the center of attention in any church should be Jesus Christ.

The Most Rev. Thomas John Paprocki is bishop of the Springfield Diocese.