Father Francis E. Bass, 92, a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport, died Sept. 18 at Elms Care Center in Ponca, Neb.
He was born in Nebraska and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Davenport in 1948. On June 21, 2004, Bishop William Franklin requested that the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith laicize Fr. Bass because of credible allegations of clergy sexual abuse against children. On Nov. 19, 2004, the Vatican asked Bishop Franklin to impose a penal precept on Bass to live a life of prayer and penance.
Fr. Bass was a member of the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree Marquette Council, Iowa City, and 4th Degree Loras Assembly, Davenport.
A private Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Peter Catholic Church in Newcastle, Neb. Burial was in St. Peter Catholic Church Cemetery at Newcastle.
