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volunteertv.com
Posted: 5:12 PM Apr 14, 2010 Updated 15 April 2010
Reporter: Mario Boone Email Address: mario.boone@wvlt-tv.com |
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, (WVLT) — A Knoxville Catholic priest is suspended from any duties connected with the church, following allegations by a man claiming Father William “Bill” Casey sexually abused him as a child.
Forty-four year old Warren Tucker broke down outside the Knoxville Diocese Wednesday just moments after leveling bombshell accusations of sexual abuse allegedly committed against him as a child.
Tucker said, “my abuser is a Catholic priest who remains active in the Knoxville Diocese.”
Tucker stopped short of naming the accused priest, but investigators in North Carolina had no problem releasing his identity.
“This is William Casey. I think he also goes by Bill Casey,” said Detective Jennifer Tranthem of the McDowell County, NC Sheriff’s Office.
Tucker claims some of the abuse happened in McDowell County. He contacted police there first.
“The statutes are far more favorable to victims of childhood sexual abuse,” said Tucker.
“The investigation has been turned over to the district attorney’s office,” said Tranthem.
Tucker says he’s coming forward now after finally gathering enough courage to publicly call Father Casey: “a pedophile who sexually abused me in every way imaginable from the time I was 10-years old until I was 15-years old.”
Church leaders say they are aware of sex abuse allegations against Casey.
“His priestly faculties have been suspended. That means he cannot present himself in any form as a clergy, he cannot wear clerical garb, and he cannot provide any priestly function whatsoever,” said Deacon Sean Smith, of the Knoxville Diocese.
We asked church leaders if there have been previous allegations of sex abuse against Casey or any other Knoxville priest.
”There’s been no accusation against any priest,” said Smith.
Latest Comments
We are so devastated to hear the news of Fr. Casey’s admitted sexual abuse. He was and will always be a member of our Catholic family. We have known Fr. Casey for over 17 years. We have known him to be a good Christian, a caring individual, an understanding and open minded human being. We pray for his forgiveness in Jesus Christ our Lord. We also pray for his victim as he deals with this terrible ordeal that haunted him for the past 30 years.
I read just minutes ago that Fr. William Casey has confessed his guilt in the matter of child abuse: he now faces criminal indictment, and has been permanently barred from priestly ministry. It is sickening and shocking and terrible news. But it has been handled the right way: investigation, criminal charges, and the guarantee that he will never again function as a priest. I applaud those who are bringing the truth to light, and especially give Bishop Stika my support for his swift, strong, and decisive action. And may God guide the process of justice and judgment.
Child sexual abuse is truly a horrible crime. It is so horrible that even without evidence, the mere accusation is damaging. Our justice system requires that the accused must be legally presumed innocent until proven guilty. For an offense that was allegedly committed 30-35 years ago, it would not be surprising if the case lacked witnesses and physical evidence. In that period of time, memory alone becomes less and less reliable. There’s the reason why there are Statutes of Limitations. Every court recognizes that there is a difference between accusation and evidence. And just as there have been crimes against innocent children in the past, there have also been false charges against innocent men. We should refrain from rash judgments and wait until testimony and evidence reveal what happened, or didn’t happen, 35 years ago. We all can fervently hope that the full truth will come to light, and justice prevail.