Mar 28, 2006 11:44 am US/Central
Accused Joliet Priest Claims Innocence In Abuse
JOLIET, Ill. (STNG) ―
A popular Joliet pastor who previously served in Naperville is publicly declaring he is innocent of a claim that he sexually abused a boy at a Mokena parish more than 25 years ago. The Rev. James Burnett wrote to parishioners at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in a letter distributed in parish bulletins during the weekend.
"I am innocent of all the accusations that have been made against me and I know that that innocence will prevail," wrote Burnett, who served at SS Peter and Paul Church in Naperville from 1990 to 2002.
Joliet Bishop Joseph Imesch placed Burnett on administrative leave Feb. 7, the day 34-year-old Dan Shanahan of Phoenix went public with his claim that Burnett repeatedly molested him beginning when Shanahan was 8 years old in 1978. Shanahan claims the abuse included incidents in a confessional at St. Mary Church in Mokena.
The review board of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet continues to investigate the claim. Through a diocesan spokesman, Burnett has denied the accusations all along, but the weekend's letter was his first direct declaration of innocence.
"It was, naively, my hope that I would be back at St. Raymond's by now," Burnett wrote. "The many days since my departure have been dark, some darker than others."
Burnett wrote that he is encouraged by the many letters he has received from supporters, and that he re-reads the letters when he feels discouraged.
Burnett, 63, has been rector of St. Raymond since 2002. He was ordained in 1968 and has also served at St. Charles Borromeo in Bensenville (1968 to '74) and St. Mary in Mokena (1974 to '90).
Shanahan first told the diocese of the alleged abuse Dec. 20, but went public six weeks later while Burnett was still serving in active ministry. An attorney for Shanahan said Monday that a lawsuit concerning the alleged abuse likely would be filed in April.
(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2006. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
