By Gary V. Murray
Telegram & Gazette
February 5, 2011
http://www.telegram.com/article/20110205/NEWS/102050370/1101/raw_headlines
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| Rev. Abdelahad |
A priest accused of raping and assaulting a woman was ordered yesterday to have no contact with her as a condition of his release on personal recognizance.
The Very Rev. Charles Michael Abdelahad, former longtime pastor of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, was arraigned in Central District Court on charges of rape, five counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and four counts of assault and battery.
The assaults are alleged to have occurred on or about July 14, 2007, and on other dates, and the date of the alleged rape is listed in court records as on or about Sept. 1, 2009. All of the alleged crimes were said to have been committed at the church complex at 30 Anna St., off Lake Street.
Rev. Abdelahad, who left the parish in November, according to parishioners, sat on one side of the courtroom with a large group of supporters, including other priests, before yesterday’s arraignment.
His accuser, 43 years old, sat on the other side with several family members and a victim-witness advocate from the district attorney’s office.
According to a statement filed in court by Detective Maureen Siedlecki in support of her application for the criminal complaints against the 55-year-old Rev. Abdelahad, he stands accused of biting and kicking the alleged victim, pulling her hair, shoving her head against the floor, hitting her in the face and head with his fists, striking her with a religious icon and wooden replica bat and scratching her with a set of keys.
The rape charge involves an allegation that he forced the woman up against a wall and sexually assaulted her.
Assistant District Attorney Paula J. Frasso did not ask that bail be set in the case, but did ask Judge Janet J. McGuiggan to order that Rev. Abdelahad, who lives with his wife at 14 Bryant Ave., Shrewsbury, stay away from the alleged victim. Judge McGuiggan issued the order after Rev. Abdelahad’s lawyer, James G. Reardon Jr., said he did not object.
Rev. Abdelahad was released on his own recognizance and his case was continued to March 11.
Rev. Abdelahad declined to comment on the allegations after the arraignment, referring questions to Mr. Reardon.
“I would just simply say it’s very unfortunate that these allegations have been made,” Mr. Reardon told reporters. Mr. Reardon said there was “a very significant other side to this story,” which would come out in court, and that he expected his client to ultimately be exonerated.
“I believe he is not guilty of these charges,” he said. Mr. Reardon also said that Rev. Abdelahad took a voluntary leave of absence as pastor of his church.
Several parishioners who attended the arraignment in a show of support for Rev. Abdelahad later said they were shocked by the allegations against him and expected him to be acquitted.
“We know that Father Michael will be exonerated of these horrific charges,” said Jo-Ellen El Khoury, a member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral for the last 25 years.
She described the accused priest as “a mentor for my children” and “a role model for all of us.”
“Father Michael has been my priest for 27 years,” said parishioner Lisa Oates. “He is a kind, loving man and I would leave my children with him. I’d trust him with my life. I think these charges are horrific and the truth will come out,” she said.
“Father Michael is like a father to me,” said 21-year-old Charles Dowd. Mr. Dowd said every member of the parish keeps Rev. Abdelahad’s cell phone number handy “because we know if we need him, we can call him any time.”
The priest’s accuser and her supporters were not available for comment immediately after the arraignment.
Contact: gmurray@telegram.com
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