Omaha priest on leave amid abuse allegation

OMAHA (NE)
Omaha World-Herald

By Susan Szalewski
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

A 68-year-old Omaha priest has been placed on administrative leave while the Catholic Church investigates an accusation he sexually abused a teenage girl in the 1970s.

The Rev. Franklin A. Dvorak, pastor at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, denies the allegation, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Omaha said.

An archdiocesan review board conducted a preliminary investigation and determined there was enough evidence to meet the church’s standard for a credible allegation, said Deacon Timothy McNeil, the archdiocese’s chancellor.

At Masses on Sunday, parishioners at St. Elizabeth Ann and St. James Churches were notified through a letter from Archbishop George Lucas. St. James parishioners were included because they share an elementary school with St. Elizabeth Ann, McNeil said.

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