April 11, 2006

Priest Admits To Sexual Abuse

SAGINAW (MI)
ClickOnDetroit.com

POSTED: 3:21 pm EDT April 10, 2006

SAGINAW, Mich. -- A priest has admitted to church officials that he sexually abused a teenager 30 years ago.

Reverend Richard Szafranski wrote in a statement read by the bishop that the relationship was wrong and painful to the girl.

Bishop Robert J. Carlson of the Saginaw Diocese said at a news conference that the 57-year-old Szafranski is on administrative leave from Saint Matthew Catholic Church in Saginaw County's Zilwaukee Township.

The victim came forward last week and identified Szafranski as the priest who abused her, church officials said.

Posted by kshaw at April 11, 2006 07:24 AM