January 07, 2006

NY Archdiocese announces church trial for accused priest

NEW YORK
NEPA News

The Associated Press 01/06/2006

A priest accused of sexual abuse will be tried by a church tribunal in Pennsylvania following a ruling by the Vatican, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York announced Friday.

Msgr. Charles M. Kavanagh, once a leading figure in the church hierarchy, was suspended in May 2002 after he was accused of molesting a former seminarian. He has vehemently denied the charges.

Following an internal investigation by the archdiocese, the case was referred to the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which determines how to proceed.

The Congregation found the allegations merit a trial.

Posted by kshaw at January 7, 2006 08:36 AM