An Associated Press story yesterday reported that the New York District Attorney has announced that a Catholic priest was indicted on sexual abuse charges. Reverend Richard Ordonez, a visiting Ecuadorian priest, sexually assaulted a woman who he was counseling. The attack occurred in 2004.
According to the DA, the woman was able to break from from Ordonez's grasp, but he then grabbed her again and groped her forcibly. The woman who was assaulted did not report the incident until last year.
After the incident, the Archdiocese of New York withdrew Ordonez's privileges as a Catholic priest.
If you or a loved one has been sexually abused or sexually assaulted by a Catholic priest or member of the clergy, please don't hesitate to speak with an attorney. It can be difficult to come forward and report abuses like the above, but you need to know that there is help and that you aren't alone. The Zalkin Law Firm has extensive experience handling all types of New York clergy abuse cases.
