Father Varney put on leave |
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Written by ANGELA KESSLER, Chronicle Editor
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Friday, 10 October 2008 17:57 |
TOLEDO—A retired priest of the Diocese of Toledo has been placed on administrative leave after the Diocesan Review Board decided an allegation of sexual misconduct is credible.
Father Lawrence F. Varney, at 75-year-old retired priest of the diocese was placed on leave Oct. 10 and is barred from any public ministry.
Sally Oberski, diocesan communications director, says no criminal charges have been brought against the priest and this is the only allegation brought against the priest.
According to a statement from the diocese, Bishop Leonard P. Blair acted in compliance with the diocesan policy To Protect and to Heal, Policy on Sexual Abuse of Minors, and Essential Norms No. 8. This norm reads, “When even a single act of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or deacon is admitted or is established after an appropriate process in accordance with canon law, the offending priest or deacon will be removed permanently from ecclesiastical ministry, not excluding dismissal from the clerical state, if the case so warrants.”
According to the statement, the allegation concerns sexual misconduct with a minor involving Fr. Varney dating back almost 30 years ago. The diocesan statement also refers to the diocesan policy defining credible as “under all circumstances known at the time of a determination, a prudent person would conclude that there is a significant possibility that the incident occurred.”
Fr. Varney’s case is to be referred to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome in accordance with Church law.
In the statement, the diocese says it has followed the Ohio reporting law in accordance with its To Protect and to Heal policy. “The law has been followed in this case,” the statement reads. “It also should be pointed out that reports of child abuse allegations to civil authorities are confidential under Ohio law.”
Fr. Varney was ordained a priest in the diocese June 28, 1960, and served at parishes in Marblehead, Sandusky, Fostoria, Columbus Grove, Toledo, Rossford and Assumption. In addition, he was an instructor at Lima Central Catholic High School and Toledo Central Catholic High School and a chaplain at the Sylvania Franciscan Motherhouse. He retired in July 2002.
To report any suspected or actual sexual abuse of a minor by diocesan personnel, immediate contact should be made with local civil authorities, and with the Toledo Diocesan Case Manager, Mr. Frank DiLallo, at 419-243-2150 (private line); 419-244-6711, ext. 632.
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Last Updated on Monday, 22 December 2008 11:09 |
