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  Ex-Priest Denies Abuse Claim

By Bill Hord
Omaha World-Herald
January 13, 2006

A former Catholic priest, now a law student at Creighton University, Thursday denied allegations of sexual misconduct.

Michael Patrick Nash issued a statement Thursday saying he "has never molested any child or adult at anytime or at anyplace. Any statement, innuendo, or suggestion to the contrary is not true."

Nash, who has not been charged with a crime, has filed a defamation suit against his main accuser.

The Catholic Diocese of Juneau, Alaska, announced Nash's dismissal last week in an agreement that will allow him to receive his pension at age 65.

Nash filed a defamation suit against Joel Post, now living in Minnesota, in 2004.

The lawsuit followed two years of investigation into allegations that Nash had molested Post while serving as a youth pastor 25 years ago. The Diocese of Juneau settled with Post for $175,740.

Creighton officials decided Wednesday that Nash, now in his mid-50s, could remain a full-time student.

Patrick Borchers, dean of the law school, said his review of the circumstances surrounding Nash's dismissal showed no evidence that Nash had committed a crime that would make him unfit to be a student.

 
 

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