Retired Columbus Priest Accused Of Sexual Abuse Of Minors

WOSU Radio, Public Media/December l3, 2019

By Adora Namigadde

The Catholic Diocese of Columbus announced it added a retired priest to its list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor.

In an email, the diocese says it first received a report of abuse by Father David Schilder in 2004. The diocese says the report did not provide details, so it could not determine whether the allegation was credible. The alleged abuse happened in 1968.

The diocese says it reported the allegation to Franklin County Children Services. Schilder then retired, and the diocese barred him from engaging in public ministry as a priest.

This September, the diocese received a second accusation of Schilder sexually abusing a minor. The time period for this accusation was 1981-1983. The diocese contacted Columbus Police and commissioned a third-party investigation of the incident.

Last month, the Diocesan Board of Review for the Protection of Children determined that the allegations against Schilder appeared to be credible. Bishop Robert Brennan accepted the recommendation and placed Schilder on administrative leave.

Schilder, now 77 years old, is the 49th priest on a diocesan list of "credibly accused" clergy in the Diocese of Columbus.

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