The Toledo Diocese made the announcement Friday about Father Frank Murd of St. Joseph's Parish in Maumee.

Sylvania Township Police say Father Murd inappropriately touched another man in the hot tub at the Jewish Community Center in Sylvania Township in March.

At the time of the incident there was nobody else in the hot tub.

Police say the men did not know each other but had seen each other at the JCC on previous occasions.

This is the first time a complaint has been filed against Father Murd.

The Toledo Diocese released a statement Friday from Bishop Leonard Blair saying that Father Murd has been "reassigned to a residential facility for appropriate spiritual remedies and for professional evaluation and counseling."

For now, Father Monte Hoyles will be taking over at St. Joseph.

There have been no charges filed at this point as the investigation into this incident is on-going.

The prosecutor in Sylvania says the case in under review. 

STATEMENT FROM THE DIOCESE OF TOLEDO:

On April 10, the following letter from Bishop Leonard Blair was mailed to each registered household at St. Josephs Parish, Maumee regarding the resignation of Father Frank Murd, Pastor.

Dear Saint Joseph Parishioner,

On April 7, 2008, the Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Maumee, Father Frank Murd, informed my office that he was under investigation by the Sylvania police for an allegation involving an incident of improper sexual contact with an adult.  To my knowledge, that adult has no link or tie to the Saint Josephs Parish community.  The alleged contact did not occur in the Maumee area.  The prosecutor in Sylvania has indicated that he will take several weeks to decide whether or not to prosecute.

These sad events prompted me to act under Canon Law for the good of the church and for Father Murds own good.  At a meeting on April 8, he and I agreed that he should resign as Pastor of Saint Josephs and be reassigned to a residential facility for appropriate spiritual remedies and for professional evaluation and counseling.

This is the time of year when new priestly appointments are made, and Saint Josephs will be receiving a new pastor, yet to be determined, effective July 1, 2008.  In the meantime, the Associate Pastor, Father Monte Hoyles, has been appointed to serve as Administrator of the parish.

I fully realize the shock and sorrow that this causes for all of us. Please keep Father Murd in your prayers.  I want to assure you of my prayers for everyone at Saint Josephs at this difficult time.

While this matter does not fall within the Dallas Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, anyone with knowledge of any misconduct by clergy or diocesan personnel is asked to report it to the Diocesan Case Manager, Frank DiLallo.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair

Bishop of Toledo