Archdiocese clears KC priest

Board allows Haegelin to return to his duties but not his parish

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ? A Roman Catholic priest will be returned to duty – but not in his current parish – after an archdiocesan review board cleared him of allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor, Archbishop James Keleher said Tuesday.

The Rev. William Haegelin, 52, admitted having a sexual relationship years ago with his accuser, the diocese said, but only when the man – now in his 30s – was an adult.

Haegelin had been pastor of St. Ann Church in the Kansas City suburb of Prairie Village.

He was placed on leave in early September after the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas received a letter accusing him of inappropriate sexual relations in the 1980s.

“Father Haegelin did confirm to the Archbishop that many years ago he violated his promise of priestly celibacy when the accuser was an adult,” the diocese said in its statement announcing the board’s finding.

The statement was issued on the Web site of the archdiocesan newsletter, The Leaven. The board could only make a recommendation to Keleher, who had the final say in the matter.

There was no criminal investigation in the case, because Haegelin’s accuser said he did not want to press charges.

“I believe that the Board conducted a full and fair investigation,” Haegelin said in a news release issued through his attorney, Glenn Bradford of Kansas City, Mo.

In September, Keleher said that Haegelin would return to St. Ann if the archdiocese’s Independent Review Board cleared him.

But the review board, headed by a priest but otherwise composed of lay members, recommended that Haegelin not return to St. Ann because of what the diocese called “the tense atmosphere and publicity of the last several months.”

Keleher said Haegelin will take a sabbatical that will include spiritual counseling before resuming his work.

“I look forward to the coming time granted to me for spiritual renewal,” Haegelin said. “I deeply appreciate all the love and support that I have received from my family, friends and parishioners of St. Ann Parish and ask for your continued prayers.”