A Roman Catholic priest from Massachusetts accused of sexually assaulting a toddler greater than a decade in the past has been indicted by a grand jury on forcible baby rape and indecent assault and battery costs, authorities mentioned Tuesday.
Monsignor Francis Strahan, 89, assaulted an altar boy on two events from 2004 till 2008 when the boy was between the ages of 11 and 13, in line with a joint assertion from Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Framingham police Chief Lester Baker.
Strahan’s legal professional mentioned his shopper denies the allegations.
“Father Strahan is not guilty,” Thomas Hoopes mentioned. “This is a gross injustice for a man who has devoted his life to serving people and his parish.”
Strahan was the pastor of St. Bridget Parish in Framingham on the time, authorities mentioned. The boy was raped and sexually assaulted after he had been dropped off on the church and was alone with the defendant, they mentioned.
On one other event, the defendant allegedly pressed his physique in opposition to the boy on the church, the assertion mentioned.
The Archdiocese of Boston cooperated with the prison investigation, and began its personal investigation that can stay on maintain pending the conclusion of the prison proceedings, the archdiocese mentioned in an announcement.
Strahan was positioned on administrative depart in October 2019 when the archdiocese discovered of the allegations. He will stay on administrative depart and can’t carry out any public ministry pending the result of the case.
He has resigned as pastor of St. Bridget, a place he held since 1983.
“We pray for a just and fair resolution to these proceedings for all involved,” the assertion mentioned.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”