WORCESTER (MA)
Telegram & Gazette
By Bronislaus B. Kush TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
bkush@telegram.com
WORCESTER — The Rev. Charles M. Abdelahad, who took a voluntary leave of absence as pastor of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral last year after being charged with sexually assaulting a female parishioner, may have returned to his ministerial duties.
Officials with the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests said today that parishioners of St. George’s have told them that they have seen Rev. Abdelahad working with choir members and taking part in worship services at Antiochian churches in Dedham and Norwood.
“Why take the risk? That’s the question that Orthodox Church officials and members must ask themselves about Father Abdelahad,” said David O’Regan, an official with the Worcester chapter of SNAP. “Why let him be around vulnerable adults in a church setting, given his conviction on charges of assault and battery.”
Rev. Abdelahad was sentenced to serve 90 days of a two-year jail term at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction after being convicted in May of abusing a 45-year-old woman during counseling sessions held over a three-year period at the Anna Street church.
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