OVO

AP: Vegas priest admits to battery, sex charge nixed [LINK-ZUM]

The Rev. George Chaanine admitted Thursday in Clark County District Court that he smashed [a] bottle over the 54-year-old woman's head at Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic Church in January. [...] The woman sang at the church and was hired by Chaanine in October as the parish events coordinator. She accused Chaanine of hitting her in the head with a wine bottle on Jan. 26, stomping on her hand, groping her and choking her until she began praying. She said he suddenly stopped and fled.

Chaanine, 53, remained in jail on $1 million bail pending sentencing Nov. 1. The battery charge carries a maximum prison term of six to 15 years, but Chaanine could be eligible for probation, officials said. He remains suspended by the Diocese of Las Vegas. The district attorney said that as a convicted felon, Chaanine would "probably never be a priest again."

[Article continues at link. What is the precedent for the Roman Catholic Church in removing clergy who commit criminal acts? - Trevor Blake]

Labels: christianity

ovoyeur

rss

archives
August 2007
September 2007
October 2007
November 2007
December 2007
January 2008
February 2008
March 2008
April 2008
May 2008
June 2008
July 2008
August 2008
September 2008
October 2008
November 2008