ALABAMA
AL.com
By Carol McPhail | cmcphail@al.com
on May 14, 2013
MOBILE, Alabama – Parishioners, parents and students at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church were informed at a meeting Monday night that their priest, Father James Havens, had been placed on administrative leave related to an accusation of sexual abuse.
On Tuesday, Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi said he attended the meeting at the Tillman’s Corner church, where parishioners were handed statements saying that a 34-year-old woman had made an accusation of sex abuse against the priest involving a 1989 act in her family home.
The archdiocese reported the accusation to the Mobile County District Attorney’s office. No charges have been filed.
Havens, whose leave was effective Wednesday, May 8, has been at St. Vincent since 2010. According to archdiocese policy, Havens may not exercise priestly ministry or live on parish property while on leave.
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