IOWA
World-Herald
POSTED: WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2014 1:00 AM
By Michael O’Connor / World-Herald staff writer
The Diocese of Des Moines said it found credible an allegation that a priest who formerly served in western Iowa had sexually abused a minor.
The Rev. Howard Fitzgerald, 62, was put on administrative leave by the diocese while the case is reviewed by the Vatican. The diocese also said it notified local law enforcement.
Anne Marie Cox, spokeswoman for the diocese, said the victim requested anonymity. She said that’s why the diocese is not releasing the gender of the alleged victim, where and when the abuse is alleged to have occurred, or other details. The diocese did say the allegation goes back decades.
Fitzgerald served in several posts in western Iowa, including as a teacher at St. Albert High School in Council Bluffs, starting in 1978; at St. Peter Church in Council Bluffs, starting in 1986; at St. Michael Church in Harlan, starting in 1998; and at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Glenwood, starting in 2011.
An administrator at St. Albert referred questions to the diocese.
The Rev. Dan Siepker, current pastor of Holy Rosary, said that he wasn’t aware of parishioners raising sexual abuse allegations involving Fitzgerald.
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