Priest arrested on sex abuse charges

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by James Muñoz / KENS 5

Authorities in Lawrence, Kansas arrested John Martin Fiala last Friday on charges related to sexual abuse. The 51-year-old is being held pending an extradition hearing.

He was indicted by an Edwards County grand jury on four counts involving sexual abuse of a child.

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A lawsuit filed by the victim said Fiala served as priest at Sacred Heart of Mary in Rocksprings when the incidents happened in 2007 and 2008.

Fiala is accused of using various gifts to lure the 16-year-old boy. Those gifts included an MP3 player, money, alcohol, a laptop computer, a cell phone and a car. In January of 2008 the teen said he was taken out of town and sexually assaulted at gunpoint in a motel room in San Angelo.

Deacon Pat Rodgers, Director of Communication with the Archdiocese of San Antonio, released the following statement: Consistent with archdiocesan policy, we cannot comment on events or persons that may be involved in pending litigation. We will, however, continue our cooperation with Edwards County law enforcement's ongoing investigation into the allegations surrounding Father John Fiala. We believe that the legal process should proceed unimpeded so that it will lead to an objective review of the facts in a court of law.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said it knows of a few more victims. SNAP is encouraging anyone with information to come forward. More information about SNAP is at snapnetwork.org or by calling 1-877-762-7432.



http://www.kens5.com/news/Priest-arre...02414.html