Parishioners to Meet w/Bishop on Father Bud Case

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will visit Sigel Saturday. He'll be meeting with parishioners on the status of the investigation of Father Robert "Bud" DeGrand.

Father DeGrand is being investigated due to a report of alleged clerical sexual misconduct with a child more than 30 years ago in another Illinois parish where he was assigned. In January, the Diocesan Review Board announced that the allegation was "credible". The matter was referred to the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for further proceedings.

At the time he was placed on leave from public ministry, Father Bud was serving as pastor of parishes in Sigel, Neoga, Green Creek and Lillyville.

The Saturday meeting will begin at 11am in the St. Michael School Gym in Sigel. A representative of the Springfield Diocese confirmed the meeting was taking place, but termed it a closed meeting for the parishioners, and would not be open to the media.