ARIZONA
Arizona Daily Star
By Patty Machelor
Newly released court documents about a former Chicago priest sexually abusing students indicate Tucson Bishop Gerald Kicanas knew of the concerns a year before authorities were notified.
But Kicanas said Thursday that former priest Russell Romano’s deviance was not known until nearly a year later, in 1986, when several victims came forward and allegations became explicit.
It was in 1985 that Rector John Klein of Chicago’s now-defunct Quigley Preparatory Seminary South contacted Kicanas, a former teacher and rector at Quigley, and asked Kicanas’ advice about Romano.
According to Klein’s written memory of the conversation — it is unclear when Klein wrote his recollections – Kicanas told Klein to try a two-part approach: “First, express concern for Russ and his personal problems, and second, to make it clear that the drinking, movies, hugs and kisses with our students must stop immediately.”
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