ILLINOIS
Chillicothe Times-Bulletin
Pam Adams
Journal Star reporter
Posted Sep. 2, 2015
PEORIA — In spite of the Catholic church’s decades-long entanglements in sex abuse scandals, parishioners of St. Ann Church were still jolted by news that their pastor, the Rev. Terry Cassidy, was the subject of allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor.
“It’s shocking. People are just bewildered and confused. It’s just not a good thing,” said John Carlson, a member of St. Ann, where Cassidy has served as pastor since 1999.
The Catholic Diocese of Peoria announced Aug. 26 that Cassidy had been removed from public ministry in light of accusations dating back nearly 30 years. It’s not clear where or when the alleged misconduct occurred, not even if it happened in Illinois.
Carlson and the Rev. John Blossom, a local Episcopal priest, indicated Cassidy’s support and popularity cross denominational lines because of his work in the Cursillo movement.
For parishioners, learning of the allegations through media reports was like hearing bad news about a beloved family member, Carlson said.
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