By Bronislaus B. Kush and Scott J. Croteau
Telegram & Gazette
January 31, 2011
http://telegram.com/article/20110131/NEWS/110139956/1116
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| St. George Antiochan Orthodox Cathedral at 30 Anna St., Worcester. (T&G Staff/CHRISTINE PETERSON) |
The former longtime pastor of St. George Antiochan Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna St., is accused of raping and physically assaulting a 43-year-old woman.
The Very Rev. Charles Michael Abdelahad will be arraigned Friday in Central District Court on a single charge of rape, four counts of assault and battery, and five counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
A statement of facts on file in court states the Rev. Abdelahad beat the woman on different occasions dating back to 2007.
The priest allegedly bit and beat the victim during at least one assault. Detectives also allege he struck her with a religious icon and bat and scratched her on the stomach with keys.
In a criminal complaint, Detective Maureen M. Siedlecki accuses Rev. Abdelahad of pulling the victim's hair, slamming her head on the floor, sitting on her and punching her in the head during one alleged assault, according to court records.
No one answered the door at Rev. Abdelahad's house today.
Rev. Abdelahad allegedly bit the victim on her shoulders, underarms, thighs, legs, back, breasts, lips and jowls with his teeth, the detective wrote.
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| The Very Rev. Charles Michael Abdelahad's home at 14 Bryant Road in Shrewsbury. (T&G Staff/CHRISTINE PETERSON) |
He also allegedly struck her with a replica wooden bat on her legs and knees along with hitting her on the head with a religious icon.
The rape charge stems from an alleged assault in which the priest forced the victim up against a wall, rubbed her inappropriately and sexually assaulted her, according to court records.
The incidents are alleged to have occurred at 30 Anna St., according to court documents.
Criminal complaints were issued this month after an investigation by the Worcester Police Department.
Parishioners said Rev. Abdelahad has been a priest for at least 20 years and left the parish last month.
Contact: bkush@telegram.com
Contact: scroteau@telegram.com
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