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  Former Bishop's Name Removed
St. Ambrose University Honors Request from Victim of Clergy Abuse

Associated Press, carried in The Hawk Eye
August 5, 2007

http://www.thehawkeye.com/Story/k0151_BC_IA_St_Ambrose_Librar_1stLd_Writethru_08_03_0222

Davenport — St. Ambrose University will remove the name of a former bishop from its library, citing his failure to protect children from clergy abuse.

The late Gerald O'Keefe, bishop for the Davenport Diocese from 1967 to 1993, admitted before his death in 2000 that he knew of some instances of abuse in his diocese but did not report the cases to authorities or try to have the priests defrocked.

The St. Ambrose University board voted Friday to remove O'Keefe's name from its library, granting a request submitted by a victim of clergy abuse.

A new name has not been selected.

"The board felt it was the right thing to do for the university, as well as a step taken in the spirit of promoting healing within the diocese and, in a larger sense, for all victims of abuse," the school said in a statement.

The Davenport Diocese has settled more than 40 cases of sexual abuse by its priests for about $10 million. The diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October, leaving a half-dozen lawsuits pending against it.

 
 

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