Priest Arrested For Rape Of Altar Boy

Another day, another Catholic priest arrested. From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

District Attorney Seth Williams announced the arrest of Rev. Robert L. Brennan, 75, for allegedly raping an altar boy between 1998 and 2001, while he was assistant pastor at Resurrection of Our Lord parish in Rhawnhurst. The charges came about after a 26-year-old man reportedly encouraged by last year's trial of Msgr. William J. Lynn - the first Catholic church official convicted for a supervisory role in covering up the conduct of pedophile priests - contacted archdiocesan officials in January.

That same day, Williams said, church officials called his office and relayed the man's allegation: Brennan sexually abused him from ages 11 to 14, within the statute of limitations. Williams said Brennan was arrested late Wednesday at the private home in Perryville, Md., where he has lived for much of the last eight years. Brennan was being held Thursday in Cecil County, Md., awaiting extradition to Philadelphia. When he returns, he will be charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and aggravated indecent assault, Williams said.

During last year's trial of other Catholic officials in Philadelphia, Brennan was accused of molesting 15-20 boys, but no charges were brought. Unshockingly, Brennan had been transferred from parish to parish during the time of those alleged crimes. (Tipped by JMG reader David)