D.C. priest is ordered back to Germany
A German Catholic priest, who has served in Washington for the past six years has been removed from ministry and ordered home to face surfacing allegations that he sexually abused teenage girls in Germany two decades ago, church officials said late Tuesday.
The priest, Michael Shapfel, was removed from ministry after the German Bishops’ Conference and the Diocese of Mainz in that country learned of the allegations on March 30, reported it to authorities and recalled Shapfel home during the Easter holiday. An archdiocese spokeswoman said local church officials were not told about it until Tuesday.
The Archdiocese of Washington said it has not received any reports of abuse by Shapfel during his time in the District. Since 2004, he has served as chaplain of the 75-family German Pastoral Mission of Washington, which is attended mainly by German parishioners.
-- William Wan
By
Erica Johnston
| April 20, 2010; 10:24 PM ET
Categories:
Crime and Public Safety, DC
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Posted by: thetan | April 20, 2010 11:30 PM | Report abuse
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Best of luck actually getting back to Germany....I hear strange rumors about flights either being canceled or booked solid.