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  Accused Priest Has Tiffin Ties

By Jill Gosche jgosche@advertiser-tribune.com
Advertiser-Tribune [Tiffin OH]
May 25, 2006

http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/news/story/0525202006_new01priest0525.asp

A priest accused of molesting a boy about 30 years ago served as principal at Calvert High School and chaplain at Tiffin State Hospital and Tiffin Ursuline Sisters around the time of the incident.

A statement from the Diocese of Toledo said the Rev. Robert J. Yeager, 68, a retired priest, has been accused of sexual misconduct with a minor almost 30 years ago. A television broadcast stated the incident involved a 13-year-old Tiffin boy in 1977.

Yeager - ordained June 22, 1962 - has been placed on an administrative leave of absence and is barred from public ministry as of Tuesday, according to the statement.

"Although Father Yeager's name surfaced publicly in 2004 as an alleged abuser, only in recent days has the Review Board received specific information sufficient to conclude that the allegation is indeed credible," the statement says.

"Father Yeager has cooperated fully in this process," the statements says

It also says Yeager served as chaplain at Tiffin State Hospital from June 1973-June 1979. He was principal at the high school and chaplain for the Tiffin Ursuline Sisters from June 1973-June 1980.

The Rev. James Say, superintendent of the school and pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, said he had no knowledge of the incident and referred further comment to the diocese.

Tony Mass, principal at Calvert, said he had nothing more to add to the statement from the diocese.

Yeager last served as a planned-giving consultant for the diocese, beginning in July 1997 and continuing until his retirement in July 2005, according to the release.

"In accordance with To Protect and to Heal, the diocesan Policy on Sexual Abuse of Minors, the Diocese of Toledo adheres to Ohio law regarding reporting, which also takes into account the privacy of victims," the report states. "The law has been followed in this case. It also should be pointed out that reports of child abuse allegations to civil authorities are confidential under Ohio law."

Officials are to refer Yeager's case to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome in accordance with church law for the final determination, the report states.

 
 

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