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  Chicago Priest Resigns Amid Church Probe

The Associated Press, carried in Sacramento Bee [Chicago IL]
June 6, 2005

CHICAGO (AP) - One priest resigned and another was temporarily removed from his post as the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago investigates allegations that they engaged in sexual misconduct or inappropriate behavior with minors in the past.

Rev. Walter Turlo, 60, resigned as pastor of St. Fabian Church in suburban Bridgeview after the archdiocese began investigating allegations that he engaged in inappropriate behavior with a minor about 30 years ago, archdiocese spokesman Jim Dwyer said Sunday.

The alleged abuse occurred while Turlo was working at St. William Church in Chicago, Dwyer said.

Rev. Bill O'Brien, 57, was accused of sexual misconduct with a minor 25 years ago at St. Cajetan Church in Chicago. He was removed as pastor of Queen of Angels Church, Dwyer said.

The allegations were announced to parishioners in letters read at weekend masses.

"(The priests) will be at a monitored setting, and the inquiry will continue," Dwyer said. "Neither of them will be living under parishes any longer."

Both priests were associate pastors at the time of the alleged misconduct. Dwyer said the archdiocese has been investigating the allegations for several months and is taking them seriously.

Barbara Blaine, president of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said she hopes Cardinal Francis George visits each church where the priests worked and urges victims to contact authorities.

"I think it's important to remember that suspending the priests is a bare minimum first step," she said.

 
 

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