COLUMBUS (OH)
NBC4i
POSTED: 12:57 pm EST January 19, 2006
UPDATED: 4:49 pm EST January 19, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A priest was removed from ministry in the Catholic Church following allegations of sexual misconduct, the Catholic Diocese of Columbus announced Thursday.
An allegation of sexual abuse of a minor naming the Rev. Samuel E. Ritchey was reported on Dec. 14, 2005, and was promptly reported to Children Services in Fairfield and Franklin counties, according to a news release issued by the diocese.
The alleged abuse occurred in 1977, while he was teaching at Fisher Catholic High School in Lancaster with residence at St. Bernadette Parish. According to the diocese, this was the first time an individual came forward to accuse Ritchey of abuse.
Posted by kshaw at January 19, 2006 04:12 PM