Priest on leave after claims of misconduct
A retired priest has been put on administrative leave following allegations of sexual misconduct with minors dating back 19 years, the Archdiocese of Detroit confirmed Sunday.
The Rev. Loren O'Dea, 83, retired in 1997 from Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Farmington, where he had been an associate pastor since 1993 — the same year he was ordained, according to archdiocesan records.
The administrative action, which took place Friday, restricts O'Dea from performing any public ministry or presenting himself as a priest.
"It is always sad when anything like this happens," said archdiocesan spokesman Ned McGrath. "We will keep everyone in our prayers."
McGrath declined to elaborate on the allegations other than to refer reporters to the website of the archdiocese, which said the action comes because of "two substantive allegations of sexual misconduct with minors involving Father O'Dea which date back just prior to his ordination. …"
The allegations, received by the archdiocese in recent weeks, were turned over to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office for review of what, if any, criminal action may have ta...