Former Carbondale Priest Investigated for Alleged Sex Abuse of Minor

The Times-Tribune
April 14, 2012

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/former-carbondale-priest-investigated-for-alleged-sex-abuse-of-minor-1.1299935#axzz1s0V8sDGN

A priest who served at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Carbondale for 16 years is being investigated for sexually abusing a minor, according to an announcement by the Diocese of Scranton late Friday.

The announcement, which was released about 11:20 p.m., said the Diocese of Scranton received information on Wednesday about the accusation against the Rev. Russell E. Motsay.

Reached by phone late Friday night, diocesan spokesman Bill Genello confirmed the investigation of the Rev. Motsay.

According to the diocese, the Wayne County district attorney's office and the state police are investigating the allegations made by the accuser, who is now an adult.

The Rev. Motsay has been removed from ministry, and his faculties to exercise priestly ministries within the diocese have been suspended pending an investigation.

The Rev. Motsay had served as pastor at the Carbondale church since 1996. He also has served as an assistant pastor at Holy Name, Swoyersville; St. John the Evangelist, Wilkes-Barre; Our Lady of Grace, Hazleton; Sacred Heart, Blakely; St. Aloysius, Wilkes-Barre; and Most Precious Blood, Hazleton.