The bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, N.C., reinstated the Rev. Albert James Gondek as pastor of a parish Sunday, saying an investigation had cleared the priest of allegations by a Delaware man that he was sexually abused by the priest more than 40 years ago at a summer camp in Maryland.
Gondek and Charlotte Bishop Peter J. Jugis were to meet with parishioners of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Lexington, N.C., after the 10:30 Mass.
"It is a great joy to return Father Al to ministry," Jugis said in a prepared statement. "The Diocese of Charlotte will make every effort to restore Father Gondek's good name and reputation. While this case does not diminish the suffering that sexual abuse causes people in our society, it is proof that the system in our church works to protect everyone." (more)
Posted Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 9:32 pm