A Council Bluffs priest ordained fifteenyears ago is suspended today from his duties at St Albert CatholicSchools. Ann Cox with the Des Moines Catholic Diocese says the actionfollowed a protocol in place to handle any charges of priest abuse.

An allegation came in this week about sexual abuse of a minorinvolving Father Phillip Hopt. After the complaint was made, thediocese followed a policy it has in place and first contacted lawenforcement, then the chair of the Diocesan Allegation ReviewCommittee.

Based on those conversations and a written report of the allegation,Bishop Charron has placed Father Hopt on leave and for now, he cannotserve as a priest. Cox says so far the diocese has not determinedwhether Father Hopt if guilty or innocent, but has taken the measuresspelled out in its policy designed to protect children.

"The bottom line is we have to act in the best interests, and tocreate a safe environment, for the children who are placed in ourcare." Cox says the role of the committee is going to be to look intothe credibility of the allegation made against Father Hopt. "We reallyhave a top-notch allegation-review committee," Cox says. It is chairedby a judge and includes a police detective, a child psychologist, andseveral other lay people who volunteer their time to help the dioceselook at allegations like this.

The spokeswoman can't say how long it might take to investigate thecomplaint received this week. The diocese encourages victims of sexualabuse by clergy and their families to report those allegations tolaw-enforcement authorities, and to contact the church'svictim-assistance advocate. She can provide them counseling resources,and also help them through the complaint process. That advocate is JoMulvihill, and anyone with questions can reach her at (515) 286 2031 ore-mail advocate-at-D-M-Diocese-dot-org. Hopt is 42 years old. He'sserved at St. Albert Catholic Schools in Council Bluffs since 1995.