Columbus priest accused of sexual abuse

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/news-22/1137743942184260.xml&storylist=cleveland

1/20/2006, 2:52 a.m. ET
The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Roman Catholic bishop of Columbus has barred a priest from performing his duties because of allegations that he sexually abused a male high school student.

The Rev. Samuel Ritchey has been the pastor of Sacred Heart Church since 1999. He taught at Fisher Catholic High School in Lancaster in 1977, when the Diocese of Columbus says the alleged abuse occurred.

Yvette McGee Brown, chairwoman of the Review Board for the diocese, would not say whether Ritchey has admitted to the allegation...


The decision prohibits Ritchey from representing himself as a priest and performing his duties for the church. A decision on whether to expel him from the priesthood would be made by the Vatican, said Robin Miller, a spokeswoman for the diocese.