Breaking: Mass. priest accused of child sex abuse found dead

September 27, 2012
Episcopal Cafe

An Episcopal priest who was arraigned earlier this month in a Somerville courtroom on charges that he repeatedly sexually assaulted a child who was a former parishioner has died, his lawyer and the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts said on Wednesday night. ….

LaCharite, 65, had pleaded not guilty on Sept. 10 to charges that he sexually assaulted the former parishioner, who is now 26, over a ten-year period at the St. James Episcopal Church in Somerville, where the priest had been assigned from 1989 to 2005.

“This is an unspeakable tragedy,” said David Meier, a lawyer for LaCharite, who was found dead on Wednesday night in Boston. “Father Paul LaCharite was truly an innocent man who was driven to the depths of despair by a false accusation.”

Bishop Thomas Shaw of Massachusetts released the following statement:

With sorrow I received news this evening that the Rev. Paul LaCharite has died, an apparent suicide. This is a shocking tragedy, and I’ve asked our diocesan community to pray for everyone concerned.

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tgflux

September 27, 2012 8:53 pm

Prayers for Justice, Mercy, and the Truth being brought to light. May all the departed rest in peace.

JC Fisher

Bill Dilworth

September 27, 2012 2:24 pm

My heart goes out to his husband, and I’ll be praying for everyone involved.

Bob McCloskey

September 27, 2012 8:55 am

I did not know Fr. LaCharite. However, I consider my early years as Rector of St.James, Teele Sq. West Somerville, and Episcopal/R.C. Chaplain with the Paulist Fathers at nearby Tufts University [1969-1972] among the happiest years of ministry.

I pray for all the parishioners of St.James at this time. It was and is a very special place in my memory.

Fr. Bob McCloskey

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