NEW YORK
New York Daily News
By OWEN MORITZ
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
A revered Bronx priest accused of sexual abuse won the right to a church tribunal yesterday after the Vatican ruled the allegations merit a trial.
Msgr. Charles Kavanagh, who has steadfastly maintained his innocence, hailed the move.
"Our ordeal is almost over," said an elated Kavanagh, who was suspended as pastor of St. Raymond's Church in Parkchester in May 2002 after a former seminarian came forward with the charge.
"For four years now, all I have ever asked for was a full judiciary review," Kavanagh said in a statement. "I am fully confident that once I have a chance to present my case, I will be completely vindicated and will return to the ministry that I love."