WSOC
April 6, 2008
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/15806804/detail.html
HARLOTTE, N.C. — For this first time since a former St. Matthew priest was arrested on charges that he allegedly had sex with a then 14-year old boy, now 23-years old, parishioners gathered at the south Charlotte church for Sunday services.
Father Robert Yurgel, who served at St. Matthew Church from May 1997 until June 1999, was arrested in New Jersey on Wednesday and is awaiting extradition to Charlotte.
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"There is an elephant in this room that needs to be talked about," Reverend John McSweeney told parishioners during a ten-minute discussion on the topic.
He asked for parishioners in their twenties who may have dealt with "Father Bob" as teenagers to come forward and talk to police or church staffers if anything inappropriate happened to them.
He also said the church will conduct an internal audit on background checks and offered counseling to any parishioners needing it.
"It makes my faith stronger that we are acknowledging this and we are taking corrective measures," said parishioner Michael Stella following Sunday's 9:00 a.m. mass.
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