A Former Burlington Priest Removed from Duties

Associated Press
April 28, 2002

Burlington, Iowa - A priest removed from his pastoral duties in Kansas had served in Burlington parishes off-and-on over three decades, church officials said.

The Rev. Donald Redmond, 72, was relieved of his duties at the Sacred Heart parish in Sabetha, Kansas, about March 1 because of 40-year-old allegations of sexual misconduct. He was sent to the Benedictine abbey in Atchison, Kansas, according to the Archdiocese of Kansas City.

The archdiocese is investigating allegations that the Benedictine monk may have abused "personal trusts" with children during the 1960s at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in the northeast Kansas town of Seneca. He was there from 1961-64.

Benedictine monks often volunteer for temporary assignments in parishes throughout the region.

In Burlington, Redmond served at St. John's Catholic Church. A former parishioner came forward with allegations after Monsignor John Hyland, pastor at St. John's and St. Paul's Catholic Churches, commented in February on a separate case.

The allegations were forwarded to the abbott in Atchison, Hyland said.

"We were informed Father Redmond will not be assigned to parish ministry now or in the future," said Hyland, who told parishioners about the developments at Masses on Saturday. He said the person who brought the complaint was told of the abbey's action and was satisfied.

"Again, we are deeply saddened by this and support the abbot's removing Father Redmond," Hyland said.

Redmond served in Burlington at three different times, from 1958 to 1963; 1965 to 1967; and 1974 to 1985, Hyland said.

The case that Hyland spoke about in February involved new allegations dating back to the 1960s against a priest who had been dead for several years. Hyland encouraged parishioners to come forward with any similar allegations.