Fr. Robert DeLand Posted on 02/26/2018 2:34:16 PM PST by ebb tide
The Judicial Vicar for the diocese of Saginaw, Michigan has been arrested for sexual assault of another man.
Father Robert DeLand, pastor of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Freeland and a judge on the marriage tribunal, was arrested Monday after a months-long covert operation by local police involving surveillance.
Fr. Robert DeLand
A press release issued by Det. Brian Berg of the Tittabawassee Township Police Department Sunday announced that the 71-year-old cleric had been under observation since November 2017, three months after he was accused of sexual assault at his home.
On August 8, 2017 a Criminal Sexual Assault complaint was filed by a subject alleging he was sexually assaulted the previous evening by a Catholic Priest at the priest's condominium ... . Between Nov. 2, 2017 and Feb. 25, 2018 five additional Criminal Complaints were filed with the Tittabawassee Township Police against this same Catholic Priest alleging Gross Indecency, furnishing alcohol to a minor, sexual assault, and the illegal purchase/possession of a controlled substance known as the drug Ecstasy.
The Saginaw diocese issued a statement Monday afternoon acknowledging it had first learned of the arrest Monday morning through local media. "The Diocese of Saginaw had no previous knowledge of the police investigation or of these allegations," the statement declared.
"Upon receiving the information from media this morning, the diocese requested a copy of the police report and warrant issued against Father DeLand, which we have not yet received," the note continued.
Bishop Joseph Cistone, head of the diocese, commented, "I am deeply distressed by this most serious situation. Clearly, the diocese will cooperate fully with law enforcement and their investigation."
DeLand is being placed on administrative leave during the investigation.
Inside sources say DeLand has been molesting victims for decades, and that victims have privately admitted to abuse at his hands, although none have stepped forward to say so publicly. DeLand has been a priest for the diocese since 1973.
A Monday email sent by the superintendent of Freeland Community Schools and obtained by Church Militant states that DeLand is barred from entering school property:
Due to concerns that have been brought forward and a criminal investigation that is currently ongoing, I have issued a Criminal Trespass Warning to Father Bob DeLand not to be on Freeland Community School District property or attend any Freeland School event. The Freeland Schools are deeply disturbed by his arrest last night, saddened for our community, and committed to supporting any students that are in need of trusted adults after learning of the many accusations against Father Bob DeLand. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding our response to this horrible situation.
Matthew A. Cairy, Superintendent Freeland Community School District
DeLand has also been banned from the CAN Council Great Lakes Bay Region properties, where he is a board member.
Bp. Joseph Cistone, head of the Saginaw diocese,
was accused of covering up sex abuse
when he worked in Philadelphia.
The diocese of Saginaw is under the leadership of Bp. Joseph Cistone, installed in 2009. Before coming to Michigan, Cistone was auxiliary bishop in Philadelphia, where he was accused of helping in the cover-up of sexually abusive priests. An attorney for one of the accused priests claimed that in 1994, Cistone watched as documents were shredded containing names of suspected sex abusers, and then he misled a grand jury when he failed to mention the documents or their destruction during testimony.
The case involved 35 accused priests in the archdiocese of Philadelphia, and evidence that Cdl. Anthony J. Bevilacqua had ordered the destruction of documents containing their names. Cistone's involvement led a group of children's rights advocates to press the Saginaw bishop in 2012 to answer questions, but he declined to comment. Cistone was never criminally charged.
In Saginaw, from 2011–13 Cistone oversaw an extensive parish restructuring program that resulted in about half of all diocesan parishes shuttered or reorganized: Out of 109 churches, 56 were classified as parish churches, 24 as churches for additional use and 29 as churches for occasional use. The diocese blamed the restructuring on fewer priests and declining numbers of parishioners.
The backlash to the parish closings led the diocese to set up a webpage to help parishioners deal with their anger.
The investigation of Fr. DeLand remains ongoing, and the Saginaw prosecutor is reviewing police reports to determine whether to file charges.
Sounds like someone Francis could agree with.
Must be cleansed
Prayers for Holy Mother Church.
Matthew 5
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Catholic priesthood... another day, another gay!
The purification continues.
Some how I am not surprised. The law firm I worked for out in Seattle handled the defense of the Seattle priests that were charged for having sex with under aged kids. Thankfully I did not have to work on the defense case.
No sympathy from me. He knows what the Word says. He can’t plead ignorance. Unless he proves this was all a frame-up, the Vicar is sicker.
“ThhellibathhY?? Oh, That won’t be a problem, Bishop. You’ll never catch me having thhex with a woman!!”
He looks like Mitch McConnell ...
A 71 year old horny homosexual priest with a fist full of Ecstasy. If you cut open his head, nothing but cocks would come out.
The priest let satan in the door in the 60s when they began allowing admitted homosexuals into the priesthood.... Some diocese now are completely run by them, trading sexual favors, protecting each other, and driving anyone who speaks out against them off to the boonies to rot.
LOL! I can think of some other (in)famous folks who should be wearing the same stylish duds.
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