More Info on Alleged Boundary Violations by Bedford VA Chaplain

The allegations against Father Luke Odor, the suspended chaplain from the Bedford VA Hospital, include boundary violations that were limited to conversation, according to a spokesperson for the Archdiocese for Military Services. 

"The alleged violations are strictly limited to conversation," said Taylor Henry, Director of Public Affairs and Media Relations for the Archdiocese for Military Services. 

Odor, of Aba, Nigeria, has worked for Veterans Affairs for eight years at three different VA medical centers, including, most recently, Bedford's, according to Henry.

The allegations date back to the mid 1990s when Odor was working in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and the Diocese of Fargo, according to a Nov. 25 statement from the Archdiocese for Military Services. 

"The allegations do not involve physical sexual abuse," according to the statement. "The violations appear to have been resolved by all parties; nonetheless, out of an abundance of caution, the Archdiocese for the Military Services has removed Father Odor's faculties and initiated an investigation into these claims."

In a Nov. 23 statement, the Archdiocese of Boston suspended Odor, who resided in the rectory of St. Isidore’s in Stow in addition to working at the Bedford VA Medical Center. 

"As is Archdiocesan policy Father Odor is no longer allowed to reside in the rectory at St. Isidore and he is not allowed to function as a priest within the Archdiocese," according to the statement. 

Odor's suspension will continue throughout an investigation by the Archdiocese for Military Services into the allegations against the chaplain. 

Reached by phone on Monday, a representative of the VA Hospital's Media Relations Office said the hospital was aware of the investigation. 

"We're going to be supportive of any investigation and see what happens," said Kristin Pressly of the Bedford VA Media Relations Office. 

Stay tuned to Bedford Patch for more details as they become available.