YOUNGSTOWN: For the second time in as many years, Catholic Diocese of Youngstown Bishop George V. Murry, on Monday faced the media to answer questions about a priest that he removed from ministry after an allegation of sex abuse.“I am committed to being open and transparent about these matters,” said Murry, during a news conference at diocesan offices. “The Youngstown diocese is committed to the protection of children and to helping the victims of abuse to heal.”Murry called a news conference – a day after announcing that he had placed the Rev. John Warner, former pastor of SS Philip and James Parish in Canal Fulton on administrative leave – to answer questions about his decision. Warner is accused of sexual misconduct with a then 13-year-old boy at St. Edward Church in Youngstown more than 30 years ago.Reiterating that most priests are “good, decent men,” Murry said the church must be honest about the painful reality that some priests have broken their trust. He cited a national study by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York that indicates about 4 percent of U.S. priests ministering from 1950 to 2002 were accused of sex abuse with a minor. “As difficult and as shameful and embarrassing as this is, the only way we can move beyond this is to be open and honest,” Murry said. “We want to encourage and help the victims of abuse to come forward.”The allegation against Warner, 69, was reported to the diocese on June 20. At that time Warner took a personal leave of absence – at the request of Murry – while the diocesan review board could conduct a more thorough investigation. The review board is a primarily lay consultant group that advises the bishop on issues related to child sex abuse.Although Warner denied the allegation, the diocesan review board concluded, after the investigation by a former FBI agent, that the accusation was credible and recommended that Warner be removed from ministry.Warner, who is reportedly out of state undergoing treatment, resigned as pastor of SS Philip and James and was placed on administrative leave on Sept. 28. As a priest on administrative leave, he is prohibited from publicly celebrating the sacraments, wearing clerical attire and performing other priestly duties.The Rev. Thomas S. Acker, a native of Rocky River and president emeritus of Wheeling Jesuit University, has been assigned as administrator of the Canal Fulton Parish. Acker, 82, said parishioners were informed during weekend Masses that Warner had been removed.“The people seem to be handling the situation in stride. Many are saddened by the news but they understand that the protection of children is very important to the Church,” said Acker, 82. “I talked with the teachers at the [church] school today and I am making myself available to meet with anyone who has questions.”Parishioners at SS Philip and James were informed during weekend Masses of Warner’s removal via a letter from Murry, read by the Rev. John Jerek, diocesan executive director of clergy and religious services. The letter assured them that the diocese is following the requirements set forth by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in dealing with issues of child sex abuse. It also encourages other victims of abuse to come forward and informed the parish that the bishop would visit the parish as soon as his schedule permits.Similar letters were read at other parishes where Warner has served since his ordination in 1970. One of those churches was St. Paul in North Canton, where Monsignor James Clarke serves as pastor. The news was personally distressing for Clarke, a member of Warner’s ordination class.“We’ve been friends for almost 50 years,” Clarke said. “I can only hope that along with my prayers and a storm of others that anyone affected by this, including him, will be OK.”Warner served as assistant pastor at St. Paul from 1996 to 1999. Before that, he was assigned as assistant pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Aurora from 1995 to 1996; St. Joan of Arc in Perry Township from 1982 to 1985; St. Edward in Youngstown from 1976 to 1982; St. Mary in Warren from 1973 to 1976 and St. Peter in Canton from 1970 to 1973.His assignments as pastor included St. Vincent de Paul in Vienna from 1984 to 1992; St. Aloysius in East Liverpool from 1992 to 1995 and SS Peter and Paul in Youngstown from 1999 to 2003. He has served as pastor of SS Philip and James since 2003.Warner also was temporary administrator at St. Bernadette Parish in Masury in 1992 and a part-time chaplain at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Youngstown in 1999.Murry said Warner’s alleged victim shared that “he had been carrying this around for a long period of time” and came forward after talking with family members. The victim reported that Warner abused him once on church property.The incident has been reported to the Youngstown Police Department, children’s services departments in Mahoning and Stark counties and the Stark and Mahoning County prosecutors.Murry said the victim has declined the diocese’s offer of counseling. He encouraged other victims to report incidents of abuse to the police and the diocese.“I would like to have an opportunity to apologize to the victims. This shouldn’t have happened. This is not what the priesthood is about,” Murry said. “Father Warner will not be returned to active ministry. We have a moral and legal obligation to do whatever we can to protect children.”Warner is the second priest that Murry has removed from ministry since becoming bishop of the Youngstown diocese in 2007.Two years ago, Murry removed the Rev. Thomas Crum from the former Our Lady of Peace Parish in Plain Township after Crum was accused of sexually abusing a male teenage student in 1975 and 1976 at Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown. Crum, who admitted to the abuse, was subsequently laicized (or defrocked) by the Vatican.Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com