Newly ordained priest charged with groping teenage girl in New Jersey

WABC
August 8, 2017

http://abc7ny.com/newly-ordained-priest-charged-with-groping-teenage-girl-/2285725/

Authorities say a newly ordained Roman Catholic priest in New Jersey has been charged with groping a teen girl under her skirt.

The Morris County prosecutor's office said that the Rev. Marcin Nurek was charged last week with endangering the welfare of a child and criminal sexual contact.

Boonton police say the girl, younger than 16 but older than 13, was walking along Main Street with friends last Thursday when she says Nurek put his hand under her dress and commented on how pretty she was.

Authorities say the 37-year-old touched the teen girl's buttocks over her underwear and told her she was "sexy."

The incident was reported to police at 4:55 that day. Nurek was arrested less than a half an hour later. Three hours after that, the Diocese of Paterson was informed.

The Diocese of Paterson put Nurek on administrative leave. He remains in jail pending a detention hearing on Wednesday.

It wasn't immediately known if he had an attorney to comment on his behalf.

Nurek is an immigrant from Poland and was ordained into the priesthood in July.

The Diocese of Paterson said that he had completed training regarding proper conduct with children.

The Diocese released a statement which read in part:
"The Diocese of Paterson was informed of the arrest of Rev. Marcin Nurek at approximately 8:45 PM on Thursday, August 3, 2017, at which time the Morris County Prosecutor's Office was immediately notified. Since then, the Diocese has cooperated fully with the Prosecutor's Office in its investigation. In addition, Rev. Nurek was immediately placed on administrative leave, his faculties were revoked and his assignment as Parochial Vicar at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Mountain Lakes, was concluded."