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  Catholic Priest Held over Harassing Congregant

The Yomiuri Shimbun
February 6, 2009

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20090206TDY02303.htm

OSAKA--A 74-year-old priest of Ibaraki Catholic Church in Ibaraki, Osaka Prefecture, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of sexually harassing a female congregant, police said.

The priest, Hirotsugu Inoue, told the police that he kissed the woman, but was not trying to molest her.

According to Ibaraki Police Station, Inoue is suspected of embracing the woman and whispering, "I love you," at his residence on the church premises and repeatedly kissing her on about 70 different occasions between late October and late December, although she resisted.

The woman worked part-time at the church cleaning and preparing meals, which involved visiting the priest's residence almost every day.

Based on allegations that Inoue also harassed the woman's primary school student daughter and other women who attend the church, the police said they will broaden their investigation.

 
 

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