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Priests removed from ministry Two priests of the Diocese of Albany have been removed from public ministry because of recent allegations of sexual abuse of minors during the 1970s: * Rev. Sean McMahon, associate pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Cairo, has been permanently removed from public ministry by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, acting on the recommendation of the Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Panel; and * Rev. John F. Connolly, chaplain for diocesan cemeteries and interim chair of the Priests' Retirement Board, has been placed on administrative leave and removed from ministry while the misconduct panel continues its investigation of two claims made against him. He has denied both allegations. This brings to ten the number of diocesan priests permanently removed or placed on administrative leave since June 2002, when the U.S. Catholic bishops adopted a zero tolerance policy for clergy who sexually abused children. Father McMahon, 69, a native of County Kerry in Ireland, was ordained in 1962. He has worked as an associate pastor in the Diocese since 1963 at parishes in Johnstown, Troy, Whitehall and Schenectady, as well as Sacred Heart in Cairo, where he has served since 1974. Father Connolly, 67, a native of Albany, was ordained in 1964. He has served as an assistant pastor in parishes in Rotterdam Junction, Albany and Menands. He was director of vocations from 1967-'69. He served as principal of St. Peter's Academy in Saratoga Springs until 1972 and principal of Cardinal McCloskey High School in Albany from 1972-'76. He has been pastor of St. Anne's parish in Waterford (1976-'83); Our Lady of Victory, Troy (1983-'95); and Our Lady of Fatima, Delanson (1995-2000). In 2000, Father Connolly was appointed chaplain for diocesan cemeteries and interim chair of the Priests' Retirement Board. He also was a weekend assistant at various parishes. Complaints of clergy sexual abuse are reported immediately to civil authorities, should they fall within the statute of limitations. Claims of abuse beyond the statute are examined by a diocesan investigator (formerly an investigator for the State Police BCI). He reports his findings to the Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Panel, a board composed chiefly of lay people not employed by the Diocese. That panel then makes a recommendation to Bishop Hubbard regarding the status of the priest accused. (4/17/03) |