SIOUX CITY (IA)
Associated Press
November 20, 2018
By Ryan Foley
A longtime Roman Catholic priest in Northwest Iowa has been removed from the ministry indefinitely after a girl complained a year ago that he improperly touched her, the Diocese of Sioux City has confirmed.
The fourth-grader at St. Mary’s school in Humboldt alleged that the Rev. Brian Danner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Humboldt rubbed the top of her leg while taking her confession, the diocese told The Associated Press. The girl’s parents were “extremely upset” and complained to church officials, recalled diocese lawyer Michael Ellwanger.
The diocese reported the incident to the county attorney last December and has revoked Danner’s ability to function as a priest indefinitely. Its review found that Danner’s actions were inappropriate but didn’t constitute sexual abuse, Ellwanger said.
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