The Roman Catholic Diocese of Owensboro is recommending that the Vatican make a priest’s temporary suspension from public ministry permanent.
The diocese announced Wednesday that Owensboro Bishop William Medley will send a report to the Vatican's Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, recommending Fr. Joseph Edward Bradley be permanently suspended.
The bishop is acting on the recommendation of the Diocesan Review Board, according to the diocese. Last week, the 12-member board told Bishop Medley it considered two sex abuse allegations made against Bradley substantiated.
Bradley was temporarily suspended from public ministry two months ago after the same board found a child sex abuse allegation made against him credible. A second person came forward with an allegation during the investigation, according to the diocese.
The diocese says the alleged incidents took place in the early 1980's, when Bradley was dean of students then principal of Owensboro Catholic High School.
"We have a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct by anyone acting in the name of the Church," the bishop said in a statement. "We stand ready to offer support to anyone who has ever been harmed."
The Vatican will make the final decision regarding Bradley's suspension.
The diocese says Bradley is entitled to representation and maintains his innocence.
