Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
Fri Mar 29, 2019, 10:43 AM Mar 2019

Priest accused of sexually assaulting woman while performing last rites

https://www.ajc.com/news/national/priest-accused-sexually-assaulting-woman-while-performing-last-rites/dTvazZZ832QqYzrcfUjKZO/

A Texas Roman Catholic priest has been arrested following an investigation into allegations he sexually assaulted a woman to whom he was administering the last rites in October.

The Rev. Gerold Langsch, 75, is charged with assault by contact, CBS Austin reported. The crime is a Class A misdemeanor.

An arrest affidavit obtained by the news station and the Austin American-Statesman indicates the victim, a 60-year-old woman suffering multiple medical conditions, including diabetes that caused renal failure, was placed in hospice care last fall. Her husband reached out to the local Knights of Columbus, whose members offered to send a priest to administer the last rites, or the anointing of the sick, the affidavit said.

The woman was familiar with Langsch, whom she knew as Father Gerold from St. Paul’s Catholic Church, the affidavit said.
11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

UpInArms

(51,806 posts)
1. WTF?
Fri Mar 29, 2019, 10:46 AM
Mar 2019
A moment later, however, he pulled out a bottle of lotion and began applying it to her breast, the Statesman reported.

“The document said Langsch massaged the woman’s breast, pinched her nipple and asked, ‘Does that feel good?’” the Statesman reported.

The affidavit stated Langsch also tried to put his hand down the woman’s adult diaper, the newspaper reported.


That is wrong wrong wrong ... in so many ways ... just freaking wrong

Major Nikon

(36,900 posts)
3. Nobody wakes up one day after being on this earth for 75 years and decides to be a sexual predator
Fri Mar 29, 2019, 10:59 AM
Mar 2019

Hard to believe this shitheel didn't have a long history his church knew about.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
4. Yep and it is likely we only heard about this incident because the woman lived.
Fri Mar 29, 2019, 11:04 AM
Mar 2019

How many unresponsive people did he sexually assault? How many who could no longer speak or communicate? We will never know.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
6. What makes this particularly relevant to this group...
Fri Mar 29, 2019, 11:37 AM
Mar 2019

is that if the sick/dying person is still at least somewhat (or even just barely) coherent, last rites will often include a final confession of sins. Confession is meant to be between a priest and the petitioner *alone*. So the specific religious doctrine expressly gives the priest unmonitored and exclusive access to a vulnerable person. In these cases, the religion is directly responsible for making the abuse possible.

But some people just cannot tolerate such issues to be discussed. Gotta whatabout.

Major Nikon

(36,900 posts)
7. It just provides and example of how people feel their religion trumps all other considerations
Fri Mar 29, 2019, 11:56 AM
Mar 2019

Pointing out how religion enables and in some cases precipitates evil needs a "counterpoint" because their perfect imaginary friend and by extension their religion which begs favor can never be seen to be anything less than perfect or it shatters the illusion(delusion?) they have spent considerable effort creating.

marylandblue

(12,344 posts)
11. So what does an atheist do for last rites?
Fri Mar 29, 2019, 03:43 PM
Mar 2019

Do they say , "There is no God and he has no prophet. Get your stinking hands off me, priest!"

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Religion»Priest accused of sexuall...