Former Granite City Priest Ousted Following Abuse Allegations

By Fred Bodimer
KMOX
May 6, 2015

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2015/05/06/former-granite-city-priest-removed/

Photo by JOE KLAMAR

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KMOX) — Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki has removed Father Robert “Bud” DeGrand as pastor of four central Illinois parishes following a credible abuse allegation from 30 years ago.

DeGrand was at St. Elizabeth’s Parish in Granite City from 1991 to 1996.

Paprocki went to DeGrand’s most recent parishes in the Effingham area Sunday to give the news about their pastor’s removal.

“Paprocki said on Sunday that not only is (Degrand) suspended, but his pay has been reduced,” says David Clohessy of the Survivor’s Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP).

The case first surfaced in 2013 and has been going through the Vatican disciplinary process.

As a result, the Vatican told Paprocki since the case was more than 30 years old, it would be up to him to determine DeGrand’s fitness for ministry.