FLORIDA
NWF Daily News
By WENDY VICTORA / Daily News
Published: Monday, September 2, 2013
FORT WALTON BEACH — Parishioners at St. Mary’s Catholic Church were notified over the weekend that their pastor has been removed from his duties, pending the outcome of an investigation into an allegation of abuse 20 years ago.
The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee was notified July 19 of an allegation of sexual abuse against Cherup by a minor who was 15 at the time. The abuse allegedly occurred in August 1993.
“Following an internal investigation, the allegation was determined to be credible,” the diocese said in a statement.
Cherup was removed from the parish and St. Mary’s School on Aug. 29 and may not “publicly celebrate the sacraments or function as a priest,” the release said.
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