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  Priest’s Supporters Hold Vigil

By Steve Lyttle
Charlotte Observer
July 15, 2010

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/07/15/1564108/priests-supporters-hold-vigil.html

Supporters of a Catholic priest charged with abusing a teen-age boy more than three decades ago held prayer vigils Wednesday night at Freedom Park in Charlotte and in Winston-Salem.

The group, which calls itself Justice for Father Kelleher, gathered as a show of support for Fr. Joseph Kelleher, 82, who was charged last Thursday by Albemarle police with indecent liberties with a minor. The charges were brought by a man who said he was abused by Kelleher in 1977, when the priest was pastor at an Albemarle church.

Kelleher is now retired but had been working as chaplain at Bishop McGuinness High School in Winston-Salem. He lives in Kernersville.

Officials with the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte have removed Kelleher from his chaplain’s duties while the case is being decided.

The priest’s supporters have set up a Facebook page with more than 900 members. A statement on the page says supporters don’t believe Kelleher is capable of abusing a minor.

Kelleher was pastor at Our Lady of the Assumption Church on Shamrock Drive in northeast Charlotte from 1978 to 1984. Earlier, he served at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte. He also served for a time at St. Dorothy Church in Lincolnton.

Contact: slyttle@charlotteobserver.com

 
 

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