NEW YORK
New York Daily News
By JOHN MARZULLI
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
A priest charged with sexually abusing an altar boy in a Brooklyn church rectory convinced the youngster that the molestation would "bring him closer to God," the teen testified yesterday.
The lawyer for the Rev. Joseph Byrns aggressively questioned the accuser, who is now 17, on why he returned to the rectory after the initial incident in March 2000.
"Maybe I didn't think about it. I was very gullible," the youth said softly.
Lawyer Patrick Bruno pressed him. "Did you believe having a 60-year-old guy touch the most-private parts would 'bring you closer to God?'" he asked.
"Yes, because I believed him," the teen replied.