Denver, Colo., May 17, 2010 / 21:17 pm
Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver removed a retired priest from ministry within the archdiocese over a “credible allegation” that he sexually abused a minor in the 1970s.
Fr. Dorino De Lazzer, 75, who retired from his duties as pastor of Sacred Heart of Mary Church in Boulder in 2005, was currently serving the archdiocese when the accusation surfaced.
“On May 7, I received a credible allegation against him for past sexual misconduct with a minor that reportedly occurred in the early 1970s before Father De Lazzer served in Colorado,” Archbishop Chaput said in a statement on Sunday.
“Consistent with our policies, we have reported the allegation to the civil authorities in the county and state where the accusation allegedly happened,” he added. “We have begun an internal investigation into the allegation.”