Retired Priest Accused of Sex Crime at Wedding

NBC 10
February 21, 2014

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Retired-Priest-Accused-of-Sex-Crime-at-Wedding-246601741.html


Authorities say a retired New Jersey priest has been charged with engaging in unwanted sexual contact with a man after officiating at a wedding.

Morris County prosecutors say the Rev. Philip Briganti, who now lives in El Paso, Texas, returned to New Jersey to officiate at a wedding Nov. 9 in the town of Prospect Park.

Prosecutors say the alleged sexual contact occurred while the 67-year-old priest was on a bus trip to a hotel after the wedding reception.

They say they were notified of the allegation of by the Paterson Diocese, where Briganti had served before retiring. The diocese has suspended his right to perform ministerial duties.

Prosecutors say Briganti is still in Texas. They did not know if he had hired an attorney yet.

He's charged with one count of criminal sexual contact.