GREEN TOWNSHIP (OH)
WKRC TV
August 12, 2019
By David Winter
More allegations of inappropriate behavior by a priest were heard this weekend by thousands of Catholics in the Tri-State.
The archdiocese distributed a letter to the area’s 150 priests, several of whom chose to share it with their parishioners. The letter refers to Fr. Geoff Drew, who was the pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola in Green Township before allegations of inappropriate behavior caused his removal.
Since then, the archdiocese reports many from its flock have had questions about what happened. So, Archbishop Dennis Schnurr sent the letter saying Drew was removed as pastor of St. Ignatius for reports he engaged in ‘grooming’ behavior. The archbishop admitted the diocese made mistakes handling the matter, and, for that, he was deeply sorry.
In 2013, the archdiocese heard concerns from parishioners at Liberty Township’s St. Maximilian, alleging Drew gave bear hugs, shoulder massages, patted legs above the knee and made inappropriate sexual comments to boys. More of the same came in 2015. The archdiocese referred the case to law enforcement, which decided not to open an investigation.
In August 2018, Drew became pastor of St. Ignatius. Archbishop Schnurr was notified for the first time about any wrongdoing when another allegation arose from Drew’s time at St. Max’s. This time, the Butler County prosecutor recommended the archdiocese monitor Drew. In October, another allegation came from when Drew was a music teacher at Elder High School.
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