Des Moines Register News Services
August 29, 2004

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The Rev. Paul Deyo is the priest accused of molesting a boy in Iowa City in 1998, the Diocese of Davenport announced Saturday.

Deyo, who was previously not identified, was ordained in August 1976. He has served in three schools - Assumption High School in Davenport, Regina High School in Iowa City and Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City.

He has also worked in several parishes, including St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clinton and Davenport, St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Iowa City, St. Peter Parish and St. Mary's Church in Oxford, and St. Wenceslaus Church in Iowa City.

The diocese ordered an investigation of Deyo for sexual misconduct of a minor after the alleged abuse was reported in July 2003. Since then, Deyo has been out of active ministry.

Prosecutors initially said the alleged victim didn't want to press charges, so there was no need to investigate. But Johnson County Attorney J. Patrick White said he is now gathering information to decide whether to file a charge.

Initially, the diocese planned to withhold the priest's name until its investigation was complete, in accordance with church policy. But diocese spokesman David Montgomery said Saturday that Deyo's name was made public "out of concern for victims of abuse."

Anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse is encouraged to contact Tom Crowley at (563) 349-5002 or vacdav@attglobal.net.