April 06, 2006

No trace left of priest’s case

NEW HAMPSHIRE
The Union Leader

By KATHRYN MARCHOCKI
Union Leader Staff

One priest the Diocese of Manchester removed from ministry since 2002 for alleged child sexual abuse was indicted for felony sexual assault, but the charge was dropped when his accuser would not testify at trial.

The priest later had his case annulled by the court, removing any trace of its existence from the public record, according to the attorney who represents him.

The Rev. Edward J. Arsenault, who heads the diocese’s office of ministerial conduct, said all three mentioned in the audit remain on “precautionary administrative leave” pending an investigation into the credibility of the allegations. He would not identify any by name or discuss their cases.

Posted by kshaw at April 6, 2006 07:40 AM