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Review Board: Allegations of abuse against 4 priests credible
For the Daily Gate City
DAVENPORT - Two priests have been cleared of allegations of sexual abuse against minors while four others have been added to the list of those “credibly accused” of the same .
The Review Board of the Diocese of Davenport found that Joseph Hines, Eugene Smith, Lawrence Soens and Gerald Stouvenel should be added to a list of those “credibly accused” of sexually abusing minors.
The Review Board recently found that allegations that Stouvenel sexually abused three male minors in the 1970s are credible.
Stouvenel was assigned to several area parishes, including St. Mary's Church in West Point (1977-80 and 1983-91), St. Joseph's Church in Montrose (1980-81 and in 2007), St. James Church in St. Paul (1981-83), Sacred Heart Church and Sts. Mary and Joseph, both in Fort Madison (2007). The earliest claim of abuse against Stouvenel dates back to 1972.
According to the press release, Bishop Amos sent Stouvenel's case to the Vatican in compliance with the laws of the Church for direction and handling of the matter. The Vatican has ordered Stouvenel to lead “a life of prayer and penance.”
The Vatican determined that Stouvenel has cooperated actively with the ecclesiastical authorities and has led “an exemplary priestly ministry over the past 30 years.”
He is living at a home for retired priests and the Vatican concluded that dismissing him from the clergy was unnecessary.
Smith was assigned to St. John's and St. Peter's in Keokuk (1961-1966). The earliest claim of abuse against Smith dates back to 1963. He was accused by one female minor.
Hines, who served at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fort Madison from 1970 to 1981, also has been added to the list of priests having credible allegations levied against him.
The allegations involve two male minors and two female minors with the earliest claim dating back to 1949 when Hines was at St. Wenceslaus in Iowa City.
No further details on the case were released. Hines died in 1992.
In the same press release, the Diocese announced that an independent three-judge panel of canon (Church) lawyers has exonerated Msgr. Drake Shafer of allegations that he sexually abused a minor.
Shafer has been restored to active ministry and is awaiting assignment from Most. Rev. Martin Amos, Bishop of Davenport.
The Diocese of Davenport has vowed to make every attempt to ensure that Shafer's good reputation is restored in accordance with Article 5 of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
The Review Board also found allegations of sexual abuse made against Father Martin Diamond are not credible.
Diamond was accused of sexually abusing two male minors more than 30 years ago. The board reviewed testimony and medical records that were obtained during previous litigation against the Diocese.
Information in the medical records contradicted the claims that Diamond was their abuser.
Diamond died June 11, 1989. Because a deceased clergy cannot defend himself, allegations must be proved by “clear and convincing evidence".
The board determined that the evidence did not meet that standard.
DAVENPORT - Two priests have been cleared of allegations of sexual abuse against minors while four others have been added to the list of those “credibly accused” of the same .
The Review Board of the Diocese of Davenport found that Joseph Hines, Eugene Smith, Lawrence Soens and Gerald Stouvenel should be added to a list of those “credibly accused” of sexually abusing minors.
The Review Board recently found that allegations that Stouvenel sexually abused three male minors in the 1970s are credible.
Stouvenel was assigned to several area parishes, including St. Mary's Church in West Point (1977-80 and 1983-91), St. Joseph's Church in Montrose (1980-81 and in 2007), St. James Church in St. Paul (1981-83), Sacred Heart Church and Sts. Mary and Joseph, both in Fort Madison (2007). The earliest claim of abuse against Stouvenel dates back to 1972.
According to the press release, Bishop Amos sent Stouvenel's case to the Vatican in compliance with the laws of the Church for direction and handling of the matter. The Vatican has ordered Stouvenel to lead “a life of prayer and penance.”
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He is living at a home for retired priests and the Vatican concluded that dismissing him from the clergy was unnecessary.
Smith was assigned to St. John's and St. Peter's in Keokuk (1961-1966). The earliest claim of abuse against Smith dates back to 1963. He was accused by one female minor.
Hines, who served at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fort Madison from 1970 to 1981, also has been added to the list of priests having credible allegations levied against him.
The allegations involve two male minors and two female minors with the earliest claim dating back to 1949 when Hines was at St. Wenceslaus in Iowa City.
No further details on the case were released. Hines died in 1992.
In the same press release, the Diocese announced that an independent three-judge panel of canon (Church) lawyers has exonerated Msgr. Drake Shafer of allegations that he sexually abused a minor.
Shafer has been restored to active ministry and is awaiting assignment from Most. Rev. Martin Amos, Bishop of Davenport.
The Diocese of Davenport has vowed to make every attempt to ensure that Shafer's good reputation is restored in accordance with Article 5 of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
The Review Board also found allegations of sexual abuse made against Father Martin Diamond are not credible.
Diamond was accused of sexually abusing two male minors more than 30 years ago. The board reviewed testimony and medical records that were obtained during previous litigation against the Diocese.
Information in the medical records contradicted the claims that Diamond was their abuser.
Diamond died June 11, 1989. Because a deceased clergy cannot defend himself, allegations must be proved by “clear and convincing evidence".
The board determined that the evidence did not meet that standard.
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Not Surprised wrote on Nov 6, 2008 4:57 PM: