Print Issue: June 6, 2002

Prince Of Peace Pastor Granted Leave; Will Not Be Reassigned To Parish

By Rebecca Rakoczy, Staff Writer

BUFORD - Father John Anderson, pastor of Prince of Peace Church, Buford, has asked for and been granted leave by Archbishop John F. Donoghue, after revealing to his parish that he was sexually abused as a child.

"I want to work on some abuse issues from my childhood," Father Anderson said about his request. "I am not leaving to make any political statement whatsoever. It's not my intention to cause this parish any undo stress - the only reason why I told them is because I love them so much. These people are my family."

Father Anderson declined to discuss the nature of the abuse or when it occurred, stating that was a private matter.

The archbishop has granted Father Anderson leave, but told him he would not reassign him to Prince of Peace when he returned. Father Anderson announced his leave-of-absence and the archbishop's decision from the pulpit on June 2. The announcement brought a flood of letters to the archbishop from members of Prince of Peace, as well as several e-mails to the archdiocesan Web site, asking the archbishop to return Father Anderson to the parish after he had dealt with his "pain."

The archbishop made his final decision June 5, after considering both the needs of Father Anderson and his parish. "I have prayed about this. I have really considered (the letters of appeal)," he said. But he reaffirmed his original decision, and said he would not reassign Father Anderson to Prince of Peace after he returns from his leave.

Father Anderson said he planned to leave the weekend of June 8-9. With 2,200 families, Prince of Peace is currently in the midst of a building campaign.

Parishioner John Galvin said that when Father Anderson announced that he would be leaving, "you could hear people saying 'oh no' all over the church."

"He's a very personable priest. During his sermons, he walks among the congregation. He talks to you, he doesn't talk at you," he said. "He's just a very genuine man that we all love very, very much."

Sally Willis-Mayer said that Father Anderson appeals to all the parishioners.

"When Father John came, he was so vibrant and energetic and he had plans and vision for the future. It added even more to the parish," she said.

Father Anderson said he is planning to spend some time with his family in Connecticut and "just to take a deeper look inside my heart. The issues of any abuse are never completely resolved and are always with you and become part of the building blocks of your life," he said.

"I have been preaching about the crisis in the church ever since it broke (in the Boston Globe) in Boston," he said. "Our hearts are hurting these days as Roman Catholics - but every American heart is hurting. The issue of childhood sexual abuse crosses all ethnic, racial and religious boundaries."

Father Anderson said he does not intend to leave the priesthood. "Archetypically, I am a priest - a soul doctor, who helps people delve deeper into the mysteries of life."

Father Anderson has been pastor of Prince of Peace for two years and a priest for six years.