The Bobster
08-04-2008, 05:40 PM
http://www./news/ny_crime/2008/08/03/2008-08-03_harlem_pastor_suspended_as_da_probes_cha.html
Harlem pastor suspended as DA probes charges he sexually abused 2 kids
By Oren Yaniv
Daily News Staff Writer
Monday, August 4th 2008, 12:43 AM
http://www./img/2008/08/04/amd_harris.jpg
Msgr. Wallace Harris
A prominent Harlem priest who gave the invocation at Gov. Paterson's inauguration and helped organize Pope Benedict's recent visit was forced to step down Sunday amid allegations he had sexually abused two minors.
Msgr. Wallace Harris, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church on W.141st St., has been barred from acting as a priest pending recommendations from an advisory review board, the Archdiocese of New York said.
"Msgr. Harris has denied the allegations, which concern actions that allegedly occurred 20 years ago," according to a statement issued by archdiocese spokesman Joseph Zwilling.
An allegation of sexual abuse of a minor had been brought to the archdiocese's attention and was referred to the Manhattan district attorney's office, the statement said.
In the course of its investigation, the DA's office received a second allegation of sexual misdeeds by the pastor. Prosecutors reported the second allegation to the archdiocese, which subsequently directed Harris to step aside while the cases are resolved. No charges have been filed against the priest.
Harlem pastor suspended as DA probes charges he sexually abused 2 kids
By Oren Yaniv
Daily News Staff Writer
Monday, August 4th 2008, 12:43 AM
http://www./img/2008/08/04/amd_harris.jpg
Msgr. Wallace Harris
A prominent Harlem priest who gave the invocation at Gov. Paterson's inauguration and helped organize Pope Benedict's recent visit was forced to step down Sunday amid allegations he had sexually abused two minors.
Msgr. Wallace Harris, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church on W.141st St., has been barred from acting as a priest pending recommendations from an advisory review board, the Archdiocese of New York said.
"Msgr. Harris has denied the allegations, which concern actions that allegedly occurred 20 years ago," according to a statement issued by archdiocese spokesman Joseph Zwilling.
An allegation of sexual abuse of a minor had been brought to the archdiocese's attention and was referred to the Manhattan district attorney's office, the statement said.
In the course of its investigation, the DA's office received a second allegation of sexual misdeeds by the pastor. Prosecutors reported the second allegation to the archdiocese, which subsequently directed Harris to step aside while the cases are resolved. No charges have been filed against the priest.