Priest Arrested in Child Sex Assault Case

By Wayne Harrison
Thedenverchannel
May 22, 2012

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/31101183/detail.html


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- A catholic priest is due in court in Colorado Springs Wednesday in connection with his arrest on charges involving sexual assault on a child.

Rev. Charles Robert Manning had been a priest at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church until the allegations surfaced last January. Officials at the church contacted authorities when they learned of the allegations.

Manning had been the pastor at the church since 2007.

Documents in the case have been sealed by the court.

The Archdiocese released a statement that said, "This is an extremely difficult situation for all. The alleged victim and family have, at all times in their communications with the Diocese, been polite and cooperative. Our hearts go out to them. Our hearts go out to all victims of abuse."

Manning turned himself in on Tuesday.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests issued a statement that said, "We are grateful to police in Colorado for making this arrest. Children are always safer when predators are behind bars, and today we can be thankful that Fr. Charles Manning will be kept away from kids at least for a while."