Archbishop Addresses Reaction To Priest Removal

DENVER (AP) – The Denver archbishop who removed a Roman Catholic priest from active duty a day after a man accused the priest of sexual misconduct with a minor in the 1970s says prompt action is painful but necessary.

Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput (SHAP’-yoo) relieved Father Mel Thompson, of St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial, of his duties Thursday.

Thompson has maintained his innocence.

In his weekly column Monday, Chaput said some have voiced frustration with the speed of the archdiocesan response, as an investigation continues. Yet he defended his decision.

He wrote, “Prompt action is painful for the whole local Church, but it’s a necessary course to protect people’s trust in their parish and in the archdiocese.”