FLORIDA
Pensacola News Journal
[statement from the diocese]
[statement from Msgr. Cherup that appeared in the parish bulletin]
Written by
Rhema Thompson
A former Pensacola priest has been removed from his duties after allegations that he sexually abused a minor, the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee said in a news release.
Msgr. Michael Cherup, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach, is being investigated by the State Attorney’s Office for the reported abuse which took place 20 years ago while he served as pastor of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pensacola, according to Diocese spokeswoman Peggy DeKeyser.
The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee was informed July 19 of the allegations stemming from an incident in August 1993 when the victim was 15 years old.
After learning of the victims accusations, the Diocese stated the victim was encouraged to report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement and to the Florida Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline. An internal investigation into the victim’s claims determined them to credible, according to the Diocese.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.