Pastor of St. Ann Church in Peoria removed from public ministry amid sex allegations

ILLINOIS
Journal Star

Braley Dodson
Journal Star reporter

Posted Aug. 26, 2015

PEORIA — A local Catholic priest is being forced to step down from public ministry following allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Allegations against the Rev. Terry Cassidy, pastor of St. Ann Catholic Church in Peoria, date back nearly 30 years ago, according to a news release from the Catholic Diocese of Peoria on Wednesday. The release does not specify a number of victims, when the misconduct occurred or when the allegations were made.

The decision was made after Bishop Daniel Jenky received unanimous advice of the Diocesan Review Commission, according to the release.

Chancellor Patricia Gibson said the Diocese would have no further comment on the case. A call left on Cassidy’s office phone at St. Ann was not returned.

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