Local Priest on Leave; Abuse Claims Investigated

WNYT
April 16, 2012

http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S2583334.shtml?cat=300

[with video]

CAIRO - The Albany Roman Catholic Diocese has placed Father Jeremiah Nunan on administrative leave from ministry, after allegations that he sexually abused a minor.

Father Nunan was also on leave six years ago, when he faced similar accusations, before he was restored to ministry.

Seventy-four-year-old Jeremiah Nunan is pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Cairo and Our Lady of Knock Mission in East Durham.

The diocese placed him on administrative leave, after a civil lawsuit claimed that Nunan sexually abused a child between 1996 and 2003, and then between 2007 and last year when that person was an adult.

Reverend Nunan is temporarily barred from officiating at any sacraments, or presenting himself as a priest. Parishioners found out last weekend at mass.

Father Nunan was also on leave in 2006, after being accused of sexually abusing a teenaged boy in the late 1960's and early seventies.

When NewsChannel 13 reported those accusations six years ago, many parishioners voiced their support of the priest.

The diocese says an investigation by the Independent Mediation Assistance Program could not substantiate the abuse claim, and Nunan returned to his duties.

Reverend Nunan has served at Saint Henry's in Averill Park, Saint Mary's in Little Falls, Assumption Parish in Latham, and Saint Mary's in Hudson.