Priest faces allegations of inappropriate touching of students

By Stephanie Parkinson
MINBC
May 4, 2014

http://www.minbcnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=1039639#.U2bSdvldWSo

Father Ken Coughlin from the Church of the Holy Family has been removed from his post while allegations against him are investigated.

GRAND BLANC -- A Catholic priest from a Grand Blanc church is facing allegations of inappropriate touching of students.

Father Ken Coughlin from the Church of the Holy Family has been removed from his post while allegations against him are investigated.

According to the Diocese of Lansing, the allegations being made against the pastor are of inappropriate touching of the hands and legs of students. A diocesan official tells NBC25 the allegations involve two students.

Holy Family also has a K-8 school.

The diocese says Coughlin denies any wrongdoing. But the Diocese has notified the Michigan office of Child Protective Services, and an investigation into the allegations has been launched.

"The school, the parish, and the diocese are fully cooperating with the investigation.  Until the investigation has been completed, Father Coughlin will be away from the parish on administrative leave," said Michael D. Diebold, Director of Communications, Diocese of Lansing.

Coughlin has been at the parish for the past seven years, but has been in the priesthood since 1990.