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Diocese Clears Priest of Charges By Ben Finley Bucks County Courier Times October 18, 2008 http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-10182008-1607354.html The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania said it has cleared one of its Bucks County priests of any wrongdoing after finding no truth to allegations that he offered massages “with something extra afterwards” on an online classified site. Allen Bartlett, assisting bishop of the diocese of Pennsylvania, said a diocesan committee conducted a lengthy investigation into Michael Ruk, 34, the priest-in-charge of two churches in Falls — St. Paul's in Levittown and All Saints in Fallsington. “Our church attorney looked into it with great thoroughness and talked to all parties that she could find,” Bartlett said. “She made a report and the committee received it and they decided that there are no charges that need to be considered. In June, Philadelphia's NBC-10 News alleged that Ruk was possibly the person behind an online ad posted on craigslist.org in April offering “sacred and sensual body work” for men. NBC-10 said a New Jersey man who wanted to be known only as “Jake” allegedly discovered that Ruk was the author behind the ad and was in contact with Ruk via e-mail. Ruk told church officials that a friend of his had written the e-mail. The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching Ruk for comment. The diocese cleared Ruk last month. He remains priest-in-charge at both Falls churches. — Ben Finley, 215-949-4203 |
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