Priest cleared of abuse claim

The Albany Diocese announced last week that it has found no reasonable grounds to believe an allegation of sexual misconduct against Rev. Jeremiah Nunan, pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Cairo and its mission church, Our Lady of Knock in East Durham.

Father Nunan remains a priest in good standing, the Diocese said, and has resumed his ministry.

He had been granted an administrative leave of absence from ministry when the investigation began 11 months ago.

Review process

The alleged misconduct was said to have occurred more than 30 years ago when Father Nunan was serving at St. Mary's Church in Hudson.

An investigation was conducted by a former FBI special agent working for the Independent Mediation Assistance Program (IMAP). Interviews with the complainant, Father Nunan and others were conducted by the IMAP investigator.

The Albany Diocese's Sexual Misconduct Review Board also looked into the case. The board, which is made up primarily of lay people, also concluded there were no reasonable grounds to believe the allegation against Father Nunan.

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard accepted the Review Board's determination.

Policy

The board was established 14 years ago to review allegations of sexual misconduct against clergy and recommend actions to Bishop Hubbard.

Its current members are Hon. Jaclyn A. Brilling, an attorney and officer of the New York State Public Service Commission; Rev. Geoffrey Burke, pastor of Our Lady of Assumption in Latham; Rev. Michael Farano, vicar general of the Diocese and pastor of St. Pius X Church in Loudonville; Kevin P. Glasheen of Albany, an attorney; Margaret Griffin, RN, a nurse practitioner; Kathryn Martin, a certified social worker, and Christopher P. Rutnik, an attorney and former Albany County Assistant District Attorney.

The Diocese has a zero tolerance policy for clergy sexual abuse of minors. No priest or deacon whom the Diocese has found reasonable grounds to believe sexually abused a minor at any time is permitted to remain in public ministry.

(To report an incident, contact local law enforcement authorities or the Albany Diocese's assistance coordinator at 518-453-6646.)

(1/25/07) [[In-content Ad]]