Evansville Priest Put On Leave After Sexual Misconduct Allegation

Evansville IN

08 April, 2022

9:53 AM

Description

By John Gibson, WNIN April 8, 2022 An Evansville priest has been put on administrative leave following an allegation of sexual misconduct. The Catholic Diocese of Evansville says it's received an allegation of sexual misconduct against Father Bernie Etienne. The misconduct is alleged to have occurred more than 20 years ago, and the diocese says Etienne strongly denies the claim. "Father Bernie" -- as he's known -- has been serving as pastor of Holy Rosary Parish on S. Green River Road. The diocese says Etienne will not perform public ministry while the investigation proceeds. Father Alex Zenthoefer has been appointed temporary administrator at Holy Rosary. WNIN is the NPR/PBS affiliate in Evansville, Indiana. We serve Southwestern Indiana, Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois from our multimedia facility located on the Ohio River in downtown Evansville. For the past several years, the recognized quality of our local news has placed us among the best small market radio news organizations in the nation.