Evansville priest on leave after allegations of sexual misconduct

EVANSVILLE (IN)
WANE [Fort Wayne IN]

April 7, 2022

By Shwetha Sundarrajan

A Evansville priest has been removed from the public ministry after an allegation of sexual misconduct from 20 years ago was reported to the Diocese of Evansville.

According to the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), Father Bernie Etienne served at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and is currently placed on administrative leave.

The Diocese did not clarify the nature of the allegations against Father Etienne, regarding the age, gender of the victim and where the sexual misconduct took place.

The Director of Communications for the Diocese said, “Civil authorities and the Diocesan Review Board have been notified. Father Bernie strongly denies the claim and, as with all accused, he is accorded the presumption of innocence during the investigation of this allegation.”

https://www.wane.com/news/evansville-priest-on-leave-after-allegations-of-sexual-misconduct/