Philly-area Priest Charged with Harassment

Newsworks
January 18, 2014

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/64026-philly-area-priest-charged-with-harassment-

Roman Catholic church officials say a priest in suburban Philadelphia has been arrested and charged with harassment and indecent assault.

The alleged conduct by the Rev. John Roebuck did not involve a minor, according to a statement from the Philadelphia archdiocese issued Friday.

A message left at Roebuck's parish office was not immediately returned. It's not clear if he has a lawyer.

Court records indicate the alleged incident took place Dec. 15. No other details were available.

Church officials call the charges "deeply troubling." The 64-year-old priest is on administrative leave from his job as parochial vicar at St. Stanislaus in Lansdale.

The archdiocese says it is cooperating with investigators. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

Lansdale police said no information about the case would be released until Monday.