Owensboro, Ky., Apr 29, 2021 / 20:01 pm (CNA).
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has reinstated the faculties of a priest of the Diocese of Owensboro despite two allegations of sexual abuse of a minor that the diocesan review board deemed “substantiated” in 2019.
Despite his priestly faculties being reinstated, the priest of the Diocese of Owensboro will not be allowed to enter a primary or secondary school for the next five years because of “imprudent behavior,” according to the Vatican.
Father Joseph Edward Bradley, 78, was already retired, the diocese says, but worked part-time in a voluntary capacity as chaplain at Owensboro Catholic High School when the allegations were made.
The Vatican has restored a priest of his duties within the Catholic Diocese of Owensboro.
Father Joseph Edward Bradley was permanently suspended from public ministry in 2019 following allegations of sexual abuse by two minors in the 1980s. During that time, Fr. Bradley served as Dean of Students and Principal of Owensboro Catholic High School.
The local Diocesan Review Board found the accusations credible and permanently suspended him two years ago. Bradley filed an appeal with the Vatican which immediately reinstated his priestly duties last week.
The Vatican decree notes “given the imprudent behavior of the cleric throughout the course of his ministry in education, the Congresso (Vatican body) imposes a penal precept (restriction) on the cleric, according to canon 1739, through which he is forbidden to enter any primary or secondary school for a period of five years.”
Vatican reinstates Owensboro priest after sexual abuse allegations
Vatican reinstates Owensboro priest after sexual abuse allegations By Jill Lyman | April 26, 2021 at 3:15 PM CDT - Updated April 26 at 6:57 PM
OWENSBORO, Ky. (WFIE) - Fr. Joseph Edward Bradley, a priest of the Diocese of Owensboro, has been reinstated by the Vatican.
On March 1, 2019, Fr. Bradley was temporarily suspended from public ministry by Bishop William F. Medley following a recommendation by the Diocesan Review Board that an allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor had been found credible.
Officials say a second allegation came forth with both dating from the 1980s when Fr. Bradley was Dean of Students and then Principal of Owensboro Catholic High School.