Former Pella Pastor Accused of Rape, Sexual Exploitation, by Daniel P. Finney, Des Moines Register, March 25, 2011

Former Pella Pastor Accused of Rape, Sexual Exploitation

By Daniel P. Finney
Des Moines Register
March 25, 2011

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110325/NEWS/110325013/?odyssey=nav|head

Patrick Edouard / PHOTO FROM MARION COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

A former Pella pastor is accused of raping three women in his congregation and having sexual contact with a fourth and using his position as church leader to exploit the women.

Marion County prosecutors have charged the Rev. Patrick Edouard, 41, former pastor of Covenant Reformed Church in Pella, with three counts of third-degree sexual abuse — which allege he forced three separate women into sex acts in early 2006, August 2007 and April 2008.

Edouard also faces two charges that he used his position as a pastor to exploit two of the women who had sought his counseling. The charge comes under a state law that forbids counselors, therapists, teachers and clergy from having sexual relationships with their patients and clients.

A sixth charge against Edouard alleges he had a sexual relationship with a fourth woman between May 2008 and June 2010. The woman had also sought counseling from Edouard, court documents allege.

Edouard resigned as pastor of Covenant Reformed in December. He, his wife and four children moved to Byron Center, Mich. He could not be reached for comment Friday.

Pella Police Lt. John VanHaaften, who signed the criminal complaints against Edouard, declined to comment on the investigation beyond the court filings.

Marion County Attorney Ed Bull also declined to comment.

The Rev. Andrew Cammenga, current pastor at Covenant Reformed, said the church had no comment on the criminal case.

“He is no longer pastor here,” he said. “We are moving on.”