ILLINOIS
Journal Courier
By Bre Linstromberg Copper – bcopper@civitasmedia.com
Former Jacksonville priest Robert “Bud” DeGrand has been permanently removed as pastor at four Catholic parishes in the state and is barred from public ministry.
The decision to remove DeGrand was based on the unanimous recommendation of the Diocesan Review Board and Bishop Thomas John Paprocki’s assessment of the information available, according to a news release from the Diocese of Springfield.
The review board had been investigating an accusation against DeGrand involving clerical sexual misconduct with a minor said to have occurred in 1980, while DeGrand was assigned to Our Saviour Parish in Jacksonville.
DeGrand has been on administrative leave from public ministry since the allegation first surfaced in September 2013.
DeGrand’s removal is not directly related to the allegation but to his refusal to comply with Paprocki’s order that DeGrand move to a private home in Springfield while on administrative leave.
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