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Priest pulled from duties amid sex abuse allegations

Rev. Robert Poandl has been indicted in West Virginia on molestation charges.

Father Robert Poandl

ENLARGE PHOTO

Archbishop’s response to priest’s sexual abuse allegations questioned

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By Michael D. Pitman, Staff Writer Updated 5:00 PM Thursday, February 4, 2010

FAIRFIELD — A grand jury in West Virginia last week indicted a Glenmary priest for allegedly molesting a 10-year-old boy nearly two decades ago.

The Rev. Robert Poandl, who was removed from his pastoral duties when the allegations first came to light in June, was indicted Jan. 26 on charges of sexual abuse and sexual assault, both first-degree felonies, and abuse by a custodian.

A 28-year-old Cincinnati man reported that he was abused in 1991 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Spencer, W.Va., according to Sgt. D.B. Swiger of the West Virginia State Police.

“The molestation reportedly took place at the rectory at the church,” Swiger said, when Poandl was covering for the church’s regular priest. “The allegations were made and we were able to substantiate some of the statements made and allegations by the victim in this case, and we presented this to the prosecuting attorney.”

Glenmary President the Rev. Dan Dorsey said he was alerted of the allegation June 9, 2009. Poandl was removed as pastor of three missions and since June 10 has been at Glenmary’s Fairfield headquarters, where he has not functioned publicly as a priest, according to Dorsey’s statement posted to the Glenmary Web site.

“This is a very difficult, painful time for everyone associated with this case,” Dorsey said. “We await a just decision based on the facts of the case. It’s my hope and prayer that God’s love and guidance will help all those affected by this accusation find peace.”

According to the statement, this is the first allegation of misconduct in Poandl’s 40-plus years in missionary priesthood. Poandl denies the allegation.

The Cincinnati chapter leader of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests applauds the accuser for reporting the abuse allegations.

SNAP chapter leader Dan Frondorf said local Catholic leaders should have disclosed the alleged abuse.

“We think that it’s important that any time child or sex abuse is alleged, it’s important to know about,” he said.

Frondorf said while the priest has not been found guilty, he said people should “err on the side of children.”

“When we’re talking about children, we believe it’s too important not to believe a child,” he said. “The percentage of these accusations that are false or baseless is very small; it’s very likely it’s a true accusation.”

An initial court appearance has not been set for Poandl, according to the Roane County Circuit Court.

Glenmary is a Catholic society of 38 priests and 14 brothers who serve Appalachia, the South and Southwest, according to its Web site.

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