Former Somerville Priest Arrested for Indecent Assault of a Child

My Fox Boston
September 8, 2012

http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/19487929/2012/09/07/priest-arrested-on-indecent-assault-charges

A former Somerville priest has been arrested amid allegations that he indecently assaulted a child over a span of several years.

Massachusetts officials announced that Reverend Paul A. LaCharite of Boston has been arrested on assault to rape a child and indecent assault and battery on a child charges.

In a press release on Friday, District Attorney Leone explained the allegations.

"We allege that this defendant, holding a trusted position within the Episcopal Church, indecently assaulted and touched the victim over several years, only ending his 10 year long predatory abuse of the victim when the defendant left the church," said District Attorney Leone.

Investigators allege that the abuse occurred in the 1990s. They accuse LaCharite of inappropriately touching an elementary school-aged child in his office.

The victim stepped forward and detailed the alleged abuse this week. An arrest warrant was issued on Friday.

The 65-year-old previously worked at the St. James Episcopal Church. A spokesperson for the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts confirmed that LaCharite is a priest associate at Old North Church in Boston.

The diocese released the a statement on Friday night that reads in part:

"The diocese is cooperating fully with the investigation, and is making arrangements for pastoral care for the congregations where Paul LaCharite had affiliations. The Episcopal Church's canonical disciplinary process has been initiated, and we remain committed to making our congregations safe through transparency, diligence, care for victims and due process. We face this situation with real sorrow and concern for everyone affected."

An investigation is ongoing.