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  Police Charge Priest with Sex Abuse

WSYR
February 27, 2008

http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=2742497d-9fc9-45cc-a977-acea293a058f

[with statement from the Diocese of Syracuse]

Fonda, New York (AP) - An upstate New York Roman Catholic priest is facing several counts of felony sex abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.


State police say Father John Broderick engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with at least four children in a Montgomery County family over the course of several months in 2007. The children range in age from 5 to 11. The victims' parent told investigators Broderick befriended his family and was considered their spiritual adviser.

Broderick left the area sometime in May and was associated with the Holy Name of Jesus Academy in Massena. He was arrested Monday without incident.

The 47-year-old is currently assigned to the Syracuse Diocese of the Catholic Church, but his official duties were suspended earlier this year.

Danielle Cummings, a Syracuse Diocese spokeswoman, said Broderick's suspension "had nothing to do with child abuse," but she couldn't elaborate.

She said church officials only learned of the allegations on Wednesday.

Statement from Syracuse Diocese

The Diocese of Syracuse has just learned of the arrest of Rev. John Broderick late this afternoon from media reports. The diocese has contacted the State Police to inquire about the charges and to offer our full cooperation. Father Broderick is not functioning in the Diocese of Syracuse . The reason for this has nothing to do with any allegation of child sexual abuse. This is the first the diocese has learned of any such accusation.

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