BishopAccountability.org
	Priest Relieved of Duties By Norm Jones November 18, 2005 WNEP Channel 16 A Roman Catholic priest from our area has been stripped of his pastoral duties after allegations of sexual misconduct with a child. Father Patrick Shannon has been removed from duties at churches in Lewisburg and Mifflinburg and people in Union County are shocked. While Fr. Shannon served Sacred Heart Church in Lewisburg and St. George Mission Church in Mifflinburg he apparently had skeletons in his closet from more than three decades ago. The leaders of his religious order in Philadelphia said Friday they received a letter describing the alleged sexual abuse. The church investigated, found the allegations believable, then removed him from his duties last week. While some in the community struggle to understand, others remain strong in their faith, using the church website to post a message to Father Shannon. "You are loved and sorely missed. Be assured of our constant prayers and thoughts. Although absent from our sight, our hearts will never forget. With love and gratitude, parishioners of Sacred Heart and St. George parish," it reads. Church leaders said Fr. Shannon has been relieved of all pastoral responsibilities and all priestly ministry. He is now living at a church retirement community in Maryland.
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