February 09, 2005

Priest admits to molesting male student in '70s

PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Philadelphia Daily News

By THERESA CONROY
conroyt@phillynews.com

A Catholic priest yesterday admitted in Common Pleas Court to sexually abusing a 15-year-old North Catholic High School student in the 1970s.

The Rev. James J. Behan, 60, pleaded guilty before Common Pleas Judge Pamela Dembe to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and corrupting the morals of a minor.

Behan, a priest of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, faces a maximum of 25 years in prison. His sentencing was scheduled for May 24.

Behan's victim, Martin Donohoe, now 41, did not attend yesterday's proceeding, but plans to testify during the sentencing, said prosecutor Maureen McCartney. She said the priest's plea saved the victim from the "harrowing experience" of testifying during a trial.

Posted by kshaw at February 9, 2005 07:24 AM