MINNESOTA
Duluth News Tribune
By: News Tribune staff, Duluth News Tribune
A retired Catholic priest who served much of his career in the Northland is facing accusations of sexual improprieties.
The Diocese of Duluth announced Sunday that Father Cornelius Kelleher “has recently been credibly accused in the sexual abuse of a minor female during his time as pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Chisholm from 1975 to 1986.”
A report from the diocese said that when the accusation came to light, Kelleher was immediately removed from public ministry and has been stripped of his abilities to function as a priest in retirement. Kelleher retired July 11, 2012.
No formal criminal charges or litigation in connection with the accusation of past sexual abuse have yet been initiated.
Kelleher worked in the diocese as a priest from 1956 to 2012. He served at the following parishes: St. James, Duluth; St. Joseph, Crosby; Holy Family, Eveleth; St. Mary, Cook; St. Bridget, Greaney; St. Benedict, Duluth; St. Joseph, Gnesen; St. Joseph, Lakewood; St. Joseph, Chisholm; St. Andrew, Brainerd; St. Patrick, Hinckley; and St. Joseph, Beroun.
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