ILLINOIS
State Journal-Register
By Staff report
Posted May. 4, 2015 at 3:52 PM
The Rev. Robert “Bud” DeGrand, a Roman Catholic priest who was alleged to have sexually abused a youth while he was serving in Jacksonville more than 30 years ago, has been permanently removed as pastor of the east-central Illinois parishes has was currently leading.
Springfield Bishop Thomas John Paprocki met Sunday with parishioners of St. Michael the Archangel in Sigel, St. Mary of the Assumption in Neoga, St. Mary Help of Christians in Green Creek and Sacred Heart in Lillyville to deliver the news. The move is effective immediately.
In January 2014, the Diocesan Review Board unanimously found that the allegation against DeGrand, 62, of clerical sexual misconduct with a minor was credible. On Sept. 20, Paprocki met with parishioners and reported that DeGrand’s case was pending at the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. One week later, Paprocki received a letter referring the case back to him.
According to the diocese, DeGrand refused to cooperate in the investigation and rejected Paprocki’s order that he move to a private residence in Springfield while on administrative leave. As a result, Paprocki removed DeGrand from public minstry.
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