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	Archbishop Promises Careful Investigation into Sex Abuse Claims against Priest David F. Reilly Is under Investigation after Allegations of Sexual Misconduct By Mary Lolli Middletown Journal August 20, 2006 http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/news/ stories/2006/08/20/mj082006priestmass_w.html SHANDON — It could take months, possibly years, for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to conclude an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving David F. Reilly, the now-suspended pastor of St. Aloysius Catholic Church. "All of this will take some time," Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk, told a large congregation of parishioners during a 4:30 p.m. Mass Saturday. "These types of investigations can take months, sometimes years, to complete. "But it will not be a matter of weeks," Pilarczyk said of the investigation into allegations that Reilly engaged in inappropriate behavior with a 13- or 14-year-old boy in the 1970s while associate pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows parish in Cincinnati. According to Pilarczyk, Reilly acknowledged contact with the minor, but indicated his actions were not what they are alleged to be. Reilly was placed on administrative leave Thursday — prohibiting him from celebrating the sacraments, engaging in priestly ministry or presenting himself as a priest in any way. Pilarczyk told St. Aloysius parishioners to pray for Reilly, his accuser and the church. "This is a very painful situation for us all," Pilarczyk said. "Often, when I'm at a loss about what to do and what to think, I turn to God's word in Scripture." Pilarczyk urged parishioners to do likewise. "Try to understand what is the will of the Lord," he said. "We don't always understand God's will, but we have to keep our hearts open to it. God is in all of this somewhere and we cannot allow ourselves to lose sight of that." Pilarczyk also assured parishioners there are no plans to close St. Aloysius parish in the absence of a pastor. Rather, Bishop Carl Moeddel, who will address parishioners at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses today, will be appointing a temporary administrator to handle pastoral duties at the church. In addition, an Archdiocese Response Team will meet with parishioners at 7:30 p.m. Monday to answer questions concerning the investigation and the impact on the parish. Reilly, 63, was ordained in 1975, and served various parishes and hospital ministries in the Cincinnati area as well as military ministries before being assigned to St. Aloysius in 2000. Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2192 or mlolli@coxohio.com.
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