Rev. Abdelahad's Return to Ministry Uncertain

By Bronislaus B. Kush
Telegram & Gazette
August 5, 2012

http://www.telegram.com/article/20120805/NEWS/108059884/1101/raw_headlines

Rev. Abdelahad

The Rev. Charles M. Abdelahad — the longtime pastor of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, who was convicted in May of physically assaulting a female parishioner during counseling sessions — will complete his jail sentence at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction on Tuesday.

But his church superiors remain tight-lipped about whether he will be able to resume his ministry in Worcester or elsewhere.

“No decision has been made,” said Bishop Nicholas Ozone, a spokesman for the Most Rev. Philip Saliba, the metropolitan of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

Bishop Nicholas said he had little information to share, adding only that Rev. Abdelahad's future will be determined “in a while.”

Following a jury-waived trial, Judge Andrew M. D'Angelo sentenced Rev. Abdelahad to serve 90 days of a two-year jail term after being found guilty of abusing a 45-year-old woman during counseling sessions held over a three-year period at the Anna Street church. He was found guilty of one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a shod foot) and one count of assault and battery for biting her. Eight other charges were dismissed.

The incident and trial created a chasm at the church between supporters and opponents of Rev. Abdelahad

Jason Rives, chief of staff at the jail, said that Rev. Abdelahad was originally scheduled to remain incarcerated until Aug. 28. But he said the priest earned 15 days of credit for good behavior over a two-month period, allowing for an early release.

Attorney James G. Reardon Jr., Rev. Abdelahad's lawyer, said that he hasn't been made aware of any decisions concerning his client's future but added that he did not think a determination will be made until the priest could meet with his superiors after his release.

“As I mentioned at the trial, I don't think he will return to the priesthood,” Mr. Reardon said.

Meanwhile, a petition has been launched on the Internet that asks church officials to defrock Rev. Abdelahad.

“I'm not sure if the petition will convince church officials,” said Karen Croci, a Fitchburg resident who organized the petition drive. “But at the least it will let other people know what the Rev. Abdelahad was convicted of. Not all members of the Antiochian church know about the incident.”

Ms. Croci, a member of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America who was abused by a priest in California many years ago, said she does not think church officials will do anything to reprimand the priest.

“Most members of this church come from Middle Eastern backgrounds, and because of the cultural differences, they find it difficult to challenge church authority,” said Ms. Croci. “So you have these priests that are basically kings, running their independent little kingdoms.”

During the trial, the victim testified that the 56-year-old clergyman had slapped her, yelled profanities at her, kicked her in the shins, struck her with his elbow and a miniature bat, knocked her head against a radiator, ripped her clothing off and bit her. She also accused the priest of sexually assaulting her.

When she complained, Rev. Abdelahad explained that the two were engaged in “spiritual warfare” and that her body was “a battleground.”

The counseling sessions began in 2007 and were aimed at treating an eating disorder.

Church officials said Rev. Abdelahad took a voluntary leave of absence following his arrest.

Since then, the Rev. Milad Selim has taken over the ministerial duties at St. George's. Rev. Selim, who was born in Baghdad and who lived in Iraq until he was 10, graduated from Oakland University in Michigan and attended Holy Cross School of Theology.

He was ordained to the priesthood by Metropolitan Philip in 2010.