CALIFORNIA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, SNAP Western Regional Director, jcasteix@gmail.com, (949) 322-7434 cell
We were saddened to hear of the harm caused by Los Angeles priest, Fr. Nicholas Assi, who has been accused of “inappropriate conduct” by an adult woman at American Martyrs Parish in Manhattan Beach. We applaud this brave woman for reporting to law enforcement, because we understand how difficult it is to report abuse to the police.
We believe that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is minimizing what happened by calling the alleged incident “inappropriate conduct.” We also hope that the Archdiocese will vigorously search for anyone who may have seen or suspected abuse by any cleric, including Fr. Assi.
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From the parish bulletin of American Martyrs Church
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has given us the following statement to place in our bulletin:
Father Nicholas Assi served as an Associate Pastor from 2008 to 2014 at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Manhattan Beach. An accusation involving an adult was brought against him in 2014 and an investigation was initiated. Father Assi was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation of this matter. The investigation has been concluded and Father will be returning to ministry with an assignment at St. Basil’s parish as a priest in good standing. We are sorry for the painful experience of this matter and we ask you to keep all impacted in prayer.
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