Texas priest accused of groping woman during last rites
A Roman Catholic priest has been arrested on a misdemeanor assault charge after he was accused of groping a woman in home hospice care while giving her last rites. The Rev. Gerold Langsch, of Austin, was arrested Thursday and charged with assault by contact . The 75-year-old priest is free on $15,000 bond. If convicted, he could be sentenced to a year in jail and fined up to $4,000.
Police contend in the arrest affidavit that the woman was in hospice care for complications from diabetes when Lansch went to her home to administer the sacrament of anointing the sick, a sacrament of absolution. The woman, who is still alive, reported that Langsch first anointed her chest with holy water, then began to apply lotion, massaging a breast, pinching a nipple and asking "Does that feel good?" He then tried to slip his hand inside her diaper but was unable to.
Police were contacted five days after the incident but an arrest wasn't made until early March. Police say the investigation was delayed due to complications with the woman's health. This month she was able to identify the priest in a lineup helping officers make an arrest.
In a statement Wednesday, the Catholic Diocese of Austin said Langsch had been pastor of St. Paul Catholic Church in Austin until last month, when the diocese "received an unrelated report that he had failed to maintain proper boundaries with another adult." The statement said that report did not involve any physical contact. Nevertheless, the diocese removed Langsch from his post and deemed him no longer able to serve as a priest in the diocese.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rev-gerold-langsch-catholic-priest-accused-of-groping-woman-during-last-rites-austin-texas/
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