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  Iowa Priest Accused of Abuse Dies at Treatment Center

Associated Press, carried in WQAD [Des Moines IA]
September 29, 2004

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- A retired Roman Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing children more than 20 years ago in Iowa has died.

The Des Moines diocese says 74-year-old Albert Wilwerding died Sunday in Dittmer, Missouri, where he had been living in the Servants of the Paraclete treatment center.

Last year, the diocese recommended that Wilwerding be defrocked after a review committee found the abuse allegations to be credible.

Bishop Joseph Charron forwarded the recommendation to the Vatican, but had not received a decision before Wilwerding died.

Wilwerding was removed from active ministry in 1981.

He last served as associate pastor at St. John's in Des Moines. He earlier served at 10 other parishes in Des Moines, Westphalia, Atlantic, Council Bluffs, Perry, Portsmouth, Rosemount, Milo, Waukee, Imogene and Shenandoah. He was ordained in 1956.

 
 

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