Archdiocese of Louisville Official Statement
The following announcement was made by the Archdiocese of Louisville:
Father James R. Schook is on leave as pastor of St. Ignatius Martyr Parish due to an accusation of sexual abuse of a minor.
When an allegation of sexual abuse is received, the archdiocese initiates its sexual abuse policies, which include:A
- A leave of absence for the person who has been accused.
- Outreach to the person making the accusation.
- A report to civil authorities.
- An internal investigation of the accusation.
All of these steps are underway.
Per the sexual abuse policies of the Archdiocese of Louisville, the purpose of this notification is to inform all parishioners in the parishes in which an accused priest has served about an accusation and to provide information about how to make a report of child abuse.
Father Schook has served in the following parishes or ministries: St. Thomas More, St. Raphael, Ascension, St. Lawrence, St. Polycarp (now St. Peter the Apostle), the Catholic Deaf Community, Our Lady of Consolation (now St. Peter the Apostle), St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi Parish in Payneville, Ky., St. Theresa Parish in Rhodelia, Ky., and St. Ignatius Martyr.
The archdiocese is committed to reaching out to those who have been sexually abused by Church employees. Anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse or has information about sexual abuse should contact Dr. Tom Robbins, Victim Assistance Coordinator for the archdiocese, at (502) 636-1044.
To report abuse to the civil authorities, please call the child protection services or the local police in your county. Please see www.archlou.org/restoringtrust for a list of these agencies in each county. You also may call the statewide child abuse hotline at 800-752-6200.
July 2009
