FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - A Fairbanks priest has been placed on administrative leave while the FBI investigates his conduct online.
Police have declined to say what they’re looking for in the inquiry into the Rev. Clint Landry, a priest assigned to Sacred Heart Cathedral.
The Diocese of Fairbanks announced Landry’s leave on Friday night. Landry has not been charged with a crime. He was ordained three years ago.
Church officials say the reported misconduct involved the use of diocesan computers, and the diocese acted swiftly upon receiving a report of misconduct, The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported (https://is.gd/P99N8t ).
“At the time we were notified of potential misconduct, immediate measures were taken,” said Ronnie Rosenberg, director of human resources and legal coordinator for the diocese. “The computer was secured, and law enforcement was notified.”
Alaska State Troopers were contacted, and the troopers turned over the investigation to the FBI.
Sacred Heart is the largest Catholic congregation in Fairbanks, with about 1,000 people attending Sunday services.
Landry, 57, who presided at services at the church, is the parochial vicar assigned to Sacred Heart and is under the direction of Archbishop Roger L. Schwietz, the apostolic administrator overseeing the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks.
The diocese is awaiting the appointment of a bishop to replace Bishop Donald Kettler, who was reassigned to Minnesota last year by Pope Francis.
“We have notified all ministerial personnel,” Rosenberg said. “At this time Rev. Landry is on administrative leave, relieved of all pastoral duties by order of Archbishop Schwietz in Anchorage.”
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