2ND VALLEY PRIEST PUT ON LEAVE.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew and Phillip W. Browne Staff Writers

PANORAMA CITY - The pastor at St. Genevieve's Catholic Church has been placed on administrative leave over an allegation he engaged in ``inappropriate conduct'' 28 years ago, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles announced Thursday.

The allegation against Monsignor Chris Van Liefde, 53 - the only Catholic chaplain for the Los Angeles Fire Department - surfaced the day Cardinal Roger Mahony publicized a zero-tolerance policy against clerical sexual abuse in full-page ads in the Daily News and other newspapers.

Archdiocese officials said the allegation was brought to their attention last week but they declined to provide the nature of the accusation or any other details.

In a written statement to his parishioners, the priest known affectionately as Monsignor Chris acknowledged the allegation and said he would suspend his ministry while the church investigates.

``I ask your forgiveness for the anxiety and embarrassment that this announcement must cause many of you,'' his statement said, ``and I ask that you keep me in your prayers.''

Van Liefde last celebrated Mass a week ago today, then was put on administrative leave and transferred from the church rectory to an unknown location. ``Respecting the Boundaries,'' a forum that Van Liefde was scheduled to lead Tuesday on clergy sexual misconduct, was canceled.

The accusation against Van Liefde comes as the U.S. Conference of Bishops prepares to meet next week in Dallas, where the clerics will discuss how to deal with the growing sexual abuse scandal within the Catholic Church.

``This places a great amount of stress on the parish community,'' said archdiocese spokesman Tod Tamberg. ``We are hoping for a resolution soon.''

Tamberg said he did not know whether the accusation was received on a hotline created by Mahony to report sexual abuse or by some other means. He declined to reveal any information about the victim or the allegation.

The allegation will be reviewed by Monsignor Craig Cox, vicar for clergy for the archdiocese, but it is unclear what steps will be taken after that, Tamberg said.

Van Liefde is the second San Fernando Valley priest to be removed from his post because of allegations of abuse. The Rev. Dominic Savino, president of Crespi High School in Encino, was removed from his position in March after the Carmelite Order found evidence supporting allegations of sexual misconduct with 10 teen-age boys between 1966 and 1979.

In his signed newspaper message, Mahony reiterated there would be ``no exceptions'' to a ``zero-tolerance policy'' on sexual impropriety. He also said he would establish a Clergy Misconduct Oversight Board headed by retired Presiding Superior Court Judge Richard Byrne.

In his ad, Mahony promised that the archdiocese would immediately notify civil authorities of allegations of clergy sexual abuse, offer assistance to alleged victims and families, and remove accused priests from active ministries.

Tamberg said the archdiocese would follow Mahony's plan to the letter, but he didn't know whether the allegations against Van Liefde had been reported to the police or District Attorney's Office.

An LAPD spokesman said the department had not yet received any report on Van Liefde.

``The Los Angeles Police Department has not been informed of this case,'' said department spokesman Officer Jason Lee. ``We've been here all day, and no one has contacted us about it.''

A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said she could not comment specifically on Van Liefde, but did say the statute of limitations begins at the time the abuse is reported.

``Investigators will have one year to look into the case,'' said spokeswoman Jane Robison.

Van Liefde has been a Los Angeles Fire Department chaplain for 22 years, celebrating Masses, and officiating at weddings and funerals for firefighters, along with conducting stress management courses. He occasionally went on location with firefighters to console families who had lost loved ones.

Van Liefde, a recipient of a LAFD Service to Mankind award in 1997, also visited ground zero in New York City after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in order to comfort firefighters.

Firefighters say he is well-respected throughout the department.

Battalion Chief Bob Franco said Van Liefde had informed the department of the allegations two weeks ago.

``All I can say is that I was surprised - we all were surprised - because of the type of individual he is,'' said Franco, who personally knows Van Liefde. ``But we know it is only an allegation, and we will wait and see how everything turns out.''

Parishioners of St. Genevieve's sprawling church-school campus defended Van Liefde's reputation as an honest and upright priest and were saddened by the allegation.

Van Liefde was described by parents and students as a dynamic church leader whose homilies never failed to inspire his parish.

``It was very shocking,'' said David Delazari, 40, of Panorama City, as he picked up his two daughters from school. ``He's very likable, very approachable, very honest. He's very moral.

``I know people who don't want to believe - my wife doesn't want to believe - that this is happening. I am very upset.''

Students were also upset about the news of their spiritual leader they regard as ``cool,'' ``a good guy'' ready with a smile, a joke, or to doff his coat for a game of hoops.

``It's a rough break,'' said Michael, 18, a St. Genevieve graduate from Panorama City who declined to give his last name. ``It's weird. (He's) not at all guilty, he's a great guy - someone you can really trust.''

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