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	Antiochian Ex-Pastor Charged By Bronislaus B. Kush and Scott J. Croteau Telegram & Gazette February 1, 2011 http://telegram.com/article/20110201/NEWS/102010386/1101 WORCESTER — The former longtime pastor of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral has been accused of raping and physically assaulting a 43-year-old woman. The Very Rev. Charles Michael Abdelahad, 55, of 14 Bryant Ave., Shrewsbury, 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. Rev. Abdelahad did not return a phone call from the Telegram & Gazette seeking comment, and nobody answered the door when a reporter visited the house yesterday. However, his lawyer, James G. Reardon Jr., said his client denies any criminal wrongdoing. A statement of facts on file in court said Rev. Abdelahad beat the woman on several 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 of the alleged attacks. Rev. Abdelahad allegedly bit the victim on her shoulders, underarms, thighs, legs, back, breasts, lips and jowls, the detective wrote. 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 the church complex, at 30 Anna St., off Lake Street in the Lake Quinsigamond neighborhood. Criminal complaints were issued this month after an investigation by the Worcester Police Department. Meanwhile, Mr. Reardon said he has not seen any documents regarding the case, except for the criminal complaints. Parishioners said Rev. Abdelahad, who has served as a member of the Council of Eastern Orthodox Churches of Central Massachusetts, has been a priest for at least 20 years and left the parish sometime in November. Rev. Abdelahad lives with his wife in a large Dutch colonial at 14 Bryant Ave., just off Route 140 in Shrewsbury, near Interstate 290. St. George's is part of the self-ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Contact: scroteau@telegram.com
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