A Player Prayer at Church of Rev. Elvis, Matthew Nestel and Georgett Roberts, New York Post, November 3, 2008

A "Player" Prayer at Church of Rev. Elvis

By Matthew Nestel and Georgett Roberts
New York Post

November 3, 2008

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11032008/news/regionalnews/a_player_prayer_at_church_of_rev__elvis_136590.htm

The Queens church where a randy reverend stands accused of carrying on a torrid seven-month love affair with a parishioner will hold a special prayer service Wednesday to help heal the wounds the scandal has wrought.

Crowds of soul searchers were notified of the event during two morning Masses held yesterday at Our Lady of the Snows in Glen Oaks.

REV. ELVIS ELANO Accused of affair.

"We will come together as a parish and a church for healing and hope in light of the actions of Father Elvis Elano," they were told.

Elano, 44, was slapped with a lawsuit last week accusing him of seducing parishioner Judith Rodrigues-Lytwyn, 50.

Yesterday, the churchgoers were stunned by the revelations.

"We're all in a state of shock," said Eleanor Meyers outside the church grounds. "We're getting through this as best we can."

Some parishioners at the Astoria church where Elano worked before being posted to Our Lady of the Snows fiercely defended him.

"I don't care whether he's a priest or not, when a woman opens her legs, a man is not going to say no," said one 80-year-old female churchgoer at the Immaculate Conception Church.

"I don't believe it, but if he did it, more power to him."

Contact: matthew.nestel@nypost.com