Feb 7, 2006 6:14 pm US/Central
New Sex Abuse Charge Against Joliet Priest
by Jay Levine
JOLIET (CBS) ―
A new sex abuse allegation Tuesday involves a priest from the Archdiocese of Joliet.
As CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports, the accuser wants the bishop to act now to protect children.
Ex-Marine Dan Shanahan, 34, waited 24 years to come forward with charges he had been abused from the time he was 8 years old, growing up in downstate Mokena, by the priest who baptized his sister.
"How anyone in that position could manipulate a child to saying you're my special friend, this is between me and you, me, you and God," Shanahan said.
For the past three years, Father James Burnett has been rector of St. Raymond's Cathedral in Joliet, reporting to Bishop Joseph Immesh, whose controversial handling of other problem priests was detailed in a recent court deposition.
After contacting others in the diocese, the alleged victim's sister, Christine McGovern, says she spoke directly to him.
"His first response was, 'I have known Father Burnett for many years. He is my friend, and I doubt it happened,'" McGovern said.
Immesh promised an investigation.
"Two persons were designated to monitor Father Burnett. He was told not to have contact with children. The state's attorney was informed," said Joliet Chancellor Sister Judith Davies.
Burnett has denied the charges and his current parishioners can't believe them.
"I don't believe he would do something like that," said parishioner Julie Bergan.
But as in the case of Chicago priest, Father Dan McCormack, Burnett was not removed from ministry, and parishioners weren't told of the charges.
"Our response to Bishop Immesh is that is a tragically familiar refrain. He continues to choose to protect his priests and avoid scandal and imperil the children," said Attorney Jeff Anderson. "It is immoral, it is illegal, it is wrong and it is an outrage."
Anderson, who is representing Shanahan, as he has hundreds of other victims of alleged abuse, is not filing a lawsuit against the diocese yet. The priority now, he says, is protecting children; to force Joliet to do what the Chicago Archdiocese will announce as policy later this week to remove the priest while the investigation continues.
The Archdiocese of Joliet released a statement late Tuesday afternoon, saying Burnett has been removed from ministry and may not function as a priest or wear the Roman collar until the investigation is complete.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
