By Dan Horn
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati suspended a Pleasant Run priest Thursday after receiving a complaint that he inappropriately touched a boy more than 20 years ago.

The Rev. Thomas Feldhaus, pastor of St. John Neumann Parish, is expected to remain on administrative leave until his case is investigated and, if necessary, presented to the archdiocese's new Child Protection Review Board.

Church officials said Feldhaus expressed shock when he was told of the allegation and denied any wrongdoing. The priest was out of the country Thursday and could not be reached for comment.

The case is the first test of new church policies that require any priest to be suspended pending an investigation of a misconduct claim.

In other cases this year, the priests had acknowledged wrongdoing and a full investigation was not required.

Under the new policies, adopted last year by all U.S. bishops, church officials must remove priests from ministry if a complaint of misconduct is made and cannot immediately be disproved.

Archdiocese spokesman Dan Andriacco said church officials learned of the allegation from a family member of the alleged victim. He said church officials have been unable to interview the man because he has refused to talk to them. Andriacco said the archdiocese has notified Hamilton County prosecutors, as it is required to do under a settlement reached two weeks ago.

Andriacco said the archdiocese may hire a private investigator to look into the allegations against Feldhaus.