Priest returned to ministry following suspension

Father Robert Stricker, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on administrative leave since May, has been returned to ministry by Cincinnati Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk.

The priest, who is 85, was placed on leave after an accusation that he sexually abused a minor in the 1950s,

"After extensive further investigation, I find that the there is not sufficient substantiation of the allegations to warrant sending the case to the Vatican or continuing Father Stricker’s administrative leave," Archbishop Pilarczyk said.

A man reported to the archdiocese in 1993 that Father Stricker had abused him when the priest was an associate pastor at St. William Parish in Price Hill. Father Stricker denied the allegation. The archdiocese investigated and concluded the accusation was unsubstantiated.

The same man came forward again last May. New information was presented, and further investigation was undertaken, with Father Stricker placed on administrative leave.

The accusation was also reported to secular legal authorities and reviewed by the archdiocese’s Child Protection Review Board.

The archdiocese has received no other accusations of sexual misconduct against Father Stricker, who was ordained to the priesthood in 1948 and retired in 1993.

Seven priests remain on administrative leave as a result of child abuse accusations. Another seven priests formerly on leave were permanently removed from the clerical state by Vatican action. Two more were permanently removed from priestly ministry, but remain under the authority of the archbishop and retain certain priestly obligations. The names and status are posted on the archdiocesan website under the section headed "Protecting Our Children."

Archbishop Pilarczyk urges anyone who was abused as a child by a priest or any other representative of the archdiocese, or knows someone who was, to report the abuse immediately to the secular legal authorities and to the archdiocese’s Victim Assistance Coordinator, Sister Mary Garke, at 513-421-3131 or 1-800-686-2724.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES DEANERY

Domican bishop to join St. Anthony festivities

Continuing the celebrations marking its 150th anniversary, St. Anthony Church in Madisonville has invited Bishop Gabriel Malzaire from the Caribbean island of Dominica to preside at a special mass on Sunday, Aug. 3, at 10 a.m.

Accompanying Bishop Malzaire will be two members of Our Lady of Health Parish in Dominica; St. Anthony and Our Lady of Health have had a twinning relationship since 2003.

Mass will be followed by a buffet luncheon.

DAYTON DEANERY

Lithuanian Knights to hold convention

The Knights of Lithuania will hold its 95th national convention in Dayton July 31-Aug. 3.

The opening Mass will be July 31 at Holy Cross Church in Dayton beginning at 10 a.m. Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk will celebrate the closing Mass Aug. 3 at the church at noon.

The convention will be based at the Holiday Inn on Presidential Drive in Dayton.

ARCHDIOCESE

Help wanted on film honoring women religious

Bridge Worldwide in Cincinnati is producing a documentary on the 150th anniversaries of the Sisters of Mercy and the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor in Cincinnati. The producers would like to interview local persons who attended then-Our Lady of Cincinnati, later-turned Edgecliff College; persons who were cared for by the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor at then-St. Mary’s Hospital (closed in 1971), St. Francis Hospital or Providence Hospital, or at the order’s social services centers, St. John’s and St. Raphael (Hamilton).

Persons who were cared for by the Sisters of Mercy at Mercy Hamilton Hospital, Mercy Mariemont or at one of the other Mercy hospitals or retirement communities are also being sought.

Please contact Sheri Lutz if you would be interested in being interviewed for the project: 513-225-8269, herilutz@fuse.net.