Fayette priest charged with sexually assaulting altar boy

PENNSYLVANIA
Observer-Reporter

August 27, 2020

By Alyssa Choiniere

https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/fayette-priest-charged-with-sexually-assaulting-altar-boy/article_c580323c-fdc8-5e94-9a81-1c8cea1cdf9c.html

A Fayette County priest was charged with sexually assaulting an altar boy multiple times when the boy was between the ages of 11 and 14.

The Rev. Andrew Kawecki, 65, turned himself in to agents from the office of the attorney general at Fayette County Magisterial District Judge Daniel C. Shimshock’s Masontown office Wednesday, according to Attorney General Josh Shapiro. The alleged abuse of the boy, who is now in his 20s, began in 2004, Shapiro said.

The alleged “forced sexual encounters” occurred in the back room of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Fairchance, where Kawecki prepared for services before Mass, Shapiro said. Kawecki would often ask for the boy specifically when he was conducting Masses, and would allegedly assault him before or after Mass when the boy was dropped off early by his parents. The alleged abuse continued until the boy’s family left the church in 2007, Shapiro said.

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