A STATEMENT FROM THE DIOCESE OF TOLEDO:

Effective May 23, 2006, Father Robert J. Yeager, 68, a retired priest of the Diocese of Toledo, has been placed on an administrative leave of absence and barred from any public ministry.

The Diocesan Review Board has deemed as credible allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor involving Father Yeager dating back almost 30 years ago.

Although Father Yeager’s name surfaced publicly in 2004 as an alleged abuser, only in recent days has the Review Board received specific information sufficient to conclude that the allegation is indeed credible. Father Yeager has cooperated fully in this process.

Diocesan policy defines credible as meaning that based upon the facts presented, “a prudent person would conclude that there is a significant possibility that the incident occurred.”

In accordance with To Protect and to Heal, the diocesan Policy on Sexual Abuse of Minors, the Diocese of Toledo adheres to Ohio law regarding reporting, which also takes into account the privacy of victims. The law has been followed in this case. It also should be pointed out that reports of child abuse allegations to civil authorities are confidential under Ohio law.
The final determination of Fr. Yeager’s case will be referred to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome in accordance with Church law.

Biographical Information:
Ordained June 22, 1962
Mount Saint Mary Seminary - December 1962 to June 1963
Assistant Pastor Pro Tem: Immaculate Conception, Ottoville – June 1963 to January 1964
Assistant Pastor: Saint Vincent de Paul, Toledo – January 1964 to September 1965
High School Principal and Assistant Pastor: Saint. John, Delphos – September 1965 to August 1967
High School Principal and Assistant Pastor: Saint Mary, Sandusky – August 1967 to June 1973
Administrative Assistant to Principal: Saint Mary High School – August 1967 June 1973
Summer Study: University of Toledo – June 1968 to September 1968
Weekday Assistance: St. Charles, Toledo – June 1968 to September 1968
Weekend Assistance: Saint Mary Sandusky – June 1968 to September 1968
Chaplain: Tiffin State Hospital – June 1973 to June 1979
Principal: Tiffin Calvert High School – June 1973 to June 1980
Chaplain: Tiffin Ursuline Sisters – June 1973 to June 1980
Vice President for Development: National Catholic Educational Association – 1980 to 1987
Executive Director, Secondary Schools – 1980 to 1987
Executive Director, The Metonia Group, Saint Mary’s College – 1987 to 1991
Director: Institute for Catholic Management and Development – 1987 to 1991
Principal: Cardinal Stritch High School – July 1991 to July 1997
Executive Director: Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference – 1993
Planned Giving Consultant – July 1997 – July 2005
Retired – July 2005

The Diocese of Toledo, established April 15, 1910 encompasses 8222 square miles in a mixture of urban and rural areas that spans 19 counties across Northwest Ohio, serving 306,532 Catholics. The diocese includes Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot counties.
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