95.3 / 88.5 FM Grand Rapids and 95.3 FM Muskegon
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Retired Grand Rapids Catholic priest sexually abused minor

Catholic collar photo
Pixabay | CC BY 3.0
/
pixabay.com

The Vatican has permanently removed a retired Diocese of Grand Rapids priest from ministry after investigating a child sexual abuse case from the mid-1980s.

Today, Father Charles Antekeier is 79-years old. But when he was in his late 40s serving as Pastor of Grand Rapids’ Saint James Parish, the Vatican’s  Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has determined sexual abuse of minor occurred. The Diocese of Grand Rapids was approached by the victim forwarding the case to Rome. In a statement, Bishop Walkowiak said. “While there are no words that can heal such wounds, I humbly ask for forgiveness for the pain and injury you and your families have suffered.”

Bill McAlary who heads the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests released a statement directed toward the Diocese of Grand Rapids saying, “

“They apparently kept silent when they quietly sent the case to the Vatican. And only now, likely years later, are Grand Rapids Catholic officials finally disclosing that he’s a child molester, while providing virtually no helpful information that might protect other vulnerable kids. Shame on them.”

The Diocese is asking that anyone who has been sexually abused as a minor by a priest, deacon or church employee, or who has knowledge of any such offense against a minor, to contact the appropriate civil authority or the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator.

Patrick Center, WGVU News.

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.