Priest removed from North Little Rock parish

Published: January 17, 2011

The Diocese of Little Rock issued the following announcement Friday, Jan. 14 about Father Charles Kanu, a Nigerian priest who has been working in Arkansas since 2005. Father Kanu has served at parishes in Helena, Marianna, Mountain Home, Tontitown and Huntsville.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor celebrated the weekend Masses at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in North Little Rock (Marche) Jan. 15-16 to make the announcement.

“On Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011, credible allegations of professional misconduct were lodged against Rev. Charles Kanu, presently the administrator of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Marché, regarding actions that were alleged to have occurred at locations other than his present assignment in Marché. None of the allegations involve misbehavior with minors. The procedures of the Diocese of Little Rock for handling allegations of non-criminal professional misconduct were followed. The preliminary investigation undertaken on Friday, Jan. 14, 2011, regarding the allegations of profession misconduct was inconclusive, but in the course of this preliminary investigation it came to light by Father Charles’ own admission that he had failed to comply with certain conditions that were placed on his continuing ministry in Arkansas. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, following diocesan policy, has suspended Father Charles’ faculties to function as a priest effective today, Jan. 14, 2011, and has removed him from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish pending a more complete investigation.

“In the meantime, Bishop Taylor has asked Msgr. Bernard Malone to come out of retirement temporarily to take care of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish starting Jan. 25, 2011, until a new pastor or administrator can be assigned to that parish. Msgr. Malone will be backed up by neighboring pastors, in particular the three priests serving St. Joseph Parish in Conway. Please keep everyone in your prayers.”