NEW BRITAIN (CT)
Hartford Courant
December 24, 2004
NEW BRITAIN -- Roman Kramek, the Polish priest accused of sexually assaulting a teenage New Britain girl during a counseling session two years ago, has pleaded guilty in exchange for a nine-month prison sentence and 10 years of probation. The Rev. Kramek's courtroom plea brings this case to a legal conclusion of sorts. Yet it is still something short of a resolution.
The Rev. Kramek is due for sentencing Feb. 17. Before authorizing this plea deal, the court should require the Rev. Kramek to publicly acknowledge wrongdoing and apologize to his victim.
Finally, after serving his sentence, the Rev. Kramek is likely to face deportation to Poland. The Hartford archdiocese should ensure that his home diocese is aware of his disgrace. Only when the Rev. Kramek has publicly admitted the full extent of his betrayal - and he is defrocked - can this case be considered resolved.
Since his release from jail on bond two years ago, the Rev. Kramek has been surrounded by a fervent corps of supporters. Even after his appearance in Superior Court on Tuesday (and despite his own confession after the arrest), these supporters steadfastly maintain the Rev. Kramek's innocence.