A Staten Island Advance news story today discussed the indictment of 85-year-old Franciscan priest Reverend Stephen Valenta in Milam County, Texas. Valenta was indicted for inducing a woman to engage in an unwanted sexual act with him last May.
Valenta was filling in for a priest at a Rockdale church when the sexual assault occurred. According to the indictment, the priest used his clergy position to force a female relative of his into performing a sexual act on him while in the church rectory. According to Rockdale Police Lieutenant J.D. Newlin, the woman "felt she had to do what he told her to do because of his position [within the church.]"
Valenta was indicted by a grand jury on one count of sexual assault and one count of prohibited sexual conduct. He has been a priest for over 57 years and according to the St. Francis Center, he is still a priest at the friary.
Sexual assaults and sexual abuse by members of the Catholic clergy are almost certainly traumatic and damaging. When a supposed spiritual and moral guide demands and/or forces one of his parishioners to commit a criminal, illegal or unwanted sex act, that clergyman must be held accountable for his actions. If you or a loved one has survived clergy abuse in New York, please contact the Zalkin Law Firm today.
