ILLINOIS
Herald-Review
NEOGA — A priest whose parishes include Neoga withdrew from the ministry following an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor that reportedly took place more than 30 years ago, the Catholic Diocese of Springfield announced Thursday.
The Rev. Robert “Bud” DeGrand, pastor of parishes in Sigel, Green Creek and Lillyville as well as Neoga, is cooperating with the recommendation of the Diocesan Review Board that he temporarily withdraw from public ministry and from his ecclesiastical residence, pending further investigation, according to a news release from the diocese.
The release said the alleged abuse occurred in 1980 when DeGrand was assigned to Our Saviour Parish in Jacksonville.
“The Springfield diocese takes such allegations very seriously,” Bishop Thomas John Paprocki said. “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 allegations of sexual abuse of minors.”
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