Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2009 FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Cecelia H. Price, Chief Communications Officer
Office: (502) 585-3291, ext. 1103; Cell: (502) 417-7187; Email: cprice@archlou.org

Pastor On Leave of Absence

(Louisville) On Sunday, July 26, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz informed parishioners of St. Ignatius Martyr Parish (1816 Rangeland Road) that the pastor, Father James R. Schook, is on a leave of absence. Archbishop Kurtz communicated this information at Sunday morning Mass and by letter.

Recently the Archdiocese received information from an adult male who reported that he had been sexually abused as a teenager by Father Schook. This incident was reported to have taken place in the mid-1980s. The civil authorities have been contacted about this allegation, and it was reviewed by the Archdiocese of Louisville Sexual Abuse Review Board.

During this leave, Father Schook will be prohibited from public ministry pending the outcome of the investigation. Father Martin Linebach will serve as temporary administrator of St. Ignatius Martyr.

The Archdiocese of Louisville Sexual Abuse Review Board is an advisory body to the Archbishop. As called for by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2002 “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” the board convenes to advise the Archbishop when allegations of sexual misconduct or sexual abuse are leveled against a priest or Church employee.

The Archdiocese is committed to reaching out to victims of sexual abuse by Church employees. Anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse or has information about sexual abuse should call Dr. Tom Robbins, Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Archdiocese, at (502) 636-1044 or send him an e-mail.

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