The investigation into Father Robert DeGrand on child sexual abuse accusations is moving forward.
DeGrand, a pastor in Springfield Catholic Diocese churches near Effingham, allegedly sexually abused a child in 1980 when he was assigned to a parish in Jacksonville — details of the allegations aren’t being made public.
“People with expertise in this area have determined that the allegation that’s been received is a credible one,” said Springfield Catholic Diocese spokeswoman Kathie Sass. “The case will now go on to the next step.
The next step is the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Sass says the church has no statute of limitations on cases like this.
“Our priority is the safety of children and young people,” Sass said.