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	Peoria Priest Steps down Because of Allegations CBS 2 February 24, 2006 http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_055081931.html (AP) PEORIA, Ill. The Roman Catholic bishop of Peoria says he is asking a priest in Earlville to step down from the public ministry because of allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor nearly 25 years ago. Bishop Daniel Jenky has asked Father William Virtue, administrator at St. Teresa's Church, not to function as a priest in any public capacity. That means he is no longer to wear clerical garb or the Roman collar, and is not to use the titles "Father" or "Reverend." Jenky said that at the time of the abuse mentioned in the allegation, Virtue was a priest in the Diocese of Joliet. The bishop also said the Diocese of Peoria was not aware of any allegations against Virtue when the priest moved there in 1988. Virtue has denied the allegations and says he is innocent, but has agreed to cooperate with the Bishop.
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