The diocese of Superior has suspended Fr Henry Willemborg after he fathered a child during a five year relationship with an Illinois woman and claims of another relationship with a high school girl. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said it also wants church officials in Missouri and Wisconsin to help the mother and son, now 22, who has terminal cancer, AP reports.
The suspension was effective immediately, Superior diocese spokesman Richard Lyons said.
"He is to step down from active ministry and any involvement in church events until we have a chance to clarify the information that was in the New York Times article today," Lyons said.
SNAP's demands also were in response to a Times story Friday about the Ashland, Wis., pastor, his former lover and their son, and claims by a second woman that she'd been involved with him as a high school student.
Pat Bond, now of O'Fallon, Mo., received about $100,000 in financial support from the Franciscans, Willenborg's religious order.
That included $85,000 in support for their son, Nathan, half of his tuition at the University of Missouri and 50 percent of extraordinary medical expenses.
Bond, who was in her 20s when the relationship with Willenborg began in Quincy, Ill., said she needs more financial assistance.
She said that she was "finished begging the church to do the right thing" and would turn to others for help.
The Franciscans told the Times they were generous, concerned for the boy and his well-being, and went beyond what the law required.
St Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson expressed "sadness" Friday that a priest's actions "have brought harm to these individuals."
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