Diocese Officials Investigating Retired Priest for Alleged Sexual Abuse

By Jim Letizia
WCBE
October 10, 2013

http://wcbe.org/post/diocese-officials-investigating-retired-priest-alleged-sexual-abuse

The Columbus Catholic Diocese is investigating sexual abuse claims against a retired priest.

Officials say an alleged victim of Father Raymond Lavelle came forward last month with a credible account of abuse while Lavelle was pastor at St. Agnes Church in the 1970s. Officials say Lavelle is now 83-years-old and living in a nursing home. In July, officials announced they placed Father Ronald Atwood on leave from his ministry while they investigate the alleged assaults of a boy that took place in the 1970s. Atwood is the pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church and has been a priest in Columbus for 44 years.