Polish Priest Visiting Connecticut Is Charged in Sexual Assault of Girl
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A Roman Catholic priest visiting a town parish from Poland was arraigned today on charges that he had sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl while counseling her about a previous sexual assault. The priest, the Rev. Roman Kramek, 40, who had been serving at Sacred Heart Church, is accused of having sex with the girl on Dec. 18, prosecutors said. Father Kramek admitted to the crime in a sworn statement to the authorities, they said. He was ordered held in $500,000 bail until his next court appearance, Jan. 30. Under state law, it is illegal for psychotherapists or any member of the clergy to have sex with anyone they are counseling. Father Kramek told the police that the girl never refused his advances, but never gave him permission to touch her or to have sex with her, according to court documents. The girl said she had told him several times not to touch her. The Hartford Archdiocese and Sacred Heart parish said they were unaware of the charges until reporters spoke to them today. It was unclear how long Father Kramek had been in New Britain, but church officials said he had planned to return to Poland after the holidays. More : query.nytimes.com |