STOCKTON (CA)
Lodi News-Sentinel
Statement from Bishop Stephen E. Blaire
This afternoon, I was stunned to receive a letter from Fr. Michael Kelly informing me he had returned to Ireland in the midst of the civil trial in which he is a defendant.
We notified opposing counsel in the civil trial as well as law enforcement authorities in Calaveras County, where a criminal investigation has been underway since September.
I have tried to reach Fr. Kelly by email and by phone to implore him to return and see the trial through to its completion.
The letter I received is below.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Dear Bishop Blaire,
By the time you read this letter I will be in Ireland with my family. I am sorry for any difficulty this may cause the Diocese, but my health can’t take it anymore.
I have sat back and listened to the vicious false allegations that have been spread about me for the past four and a half years, and my health has suffered greatly because of it.
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