WICHITA (KS)
KSN
by Chanda Brown
KSN News
WICHITA, Kansas, Dec 07, 2005 -- A Wichita woman is coming forward claiming a Catholic priest assaulted her but the church reports that the relationship was consensual.
Reports of Catholic priests abusing children have been widespread in recent years but this alleged victim claims clergy victimize four times more adults then children and she’s speaking out for the other victims.
Peggy Warren claims she was sexually assaulted twice last summer by Father Nicholas Voelker.
"After the first assault, Voelker begged for my forgiveness and swore it would never happen again. I made the mistake of believing my priest," said Warren.
At the time, Voelker was a priest at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish. Since that time, he has been moved to St. Louis parish of Waterloo and is now at St. Rose of Lima parish in Council Grove.
Bishop Michael Jackels sees a different story.
"This was not a case of clergy sexual abuse rather it was a relationship between priest and an adult woman which was both inappropriate and sinful, but nevertheless consensual."
Posted by kshaw at December 14, 2005 07:27 AM