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	Rape Charge against Former Pastor Reduced By Gary V. Murray Worcester Telegram & Gazette July 11, 2011 http://www.telegram.com/article/20110711/NEWS/110719961/1116 A rape charge against a priest accused of beating and sexually assaulting a woman was reduced today to indecent assault and battery at the prosecution's request. The Very Rev. Charles Michael Abdelahad, the former longtime pastor of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral on Anna Street, was arraigned in February 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. According to court records, the 55-year-old priest is alleged to have bitten and kicked a 43-year-old woman, pulled her hair, shoved her head against a floor, hit her in the face and head with his fists, struck her with a religious icon and wooden replica bat and scratched her with a set of keys. The rape charge involved an allegation that he forced the woman up against a wall and sexually assaulted her. All of the alleged crimes were said to have occurred at the church complex at 30 Anna St., off Lake Avenue. The physical assaults are alleged to have taken place on or about July 14, 2007, and on other dates and the sexual assault is alleged to have occurred on or about Sept. 1, 2009. Parishioners who attended the February arraignment said Rev. Abdelahad left the parish in November, and his lawyer, James G. Reardon Jr., said his client took a voluntary leave of absence as pastor. Judge Andrew M. D'Angelo allowed a motion filed by Assistant District Attorney Paula J. Frasso today asking that the rape charge against Rev. Abdelahad be reduced to the lesser included offense of indecent assault and battery. In her written filing with the court, Ms. Frasso said it was “in the best interests of justice” that the charge be reduced, but did not elaborate. The case had been scheduled for a probable cause hearing today to determine whether it would be bound over to a grand jury. The hearing was not held, however, and the case, which has been specially assigned to Judge D'Angelo, was continued to Aug. 29. Rev. Abdelahad, of 14 Bryant Ave., Shrewsbury, has been released on his own recognizance by the court with an order that he have no contact with the alleged victim. Mr. Reardon earlier described the allegations against his client as “unfortunate” and said he expected Rev. Abdelahad to ultimately be exonerated. He said there was “a very significant other side to this story” which would come out in court Contact: gmurray@telegram.com
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