salina.com (Kansas)
15 August 2012
A Salina man who reported to police that he had been inappropriately touched by a Catholic priest was equipped with a listening device when he visited the Rev. Allen K. Scheer’s office and received an apology, according to an arrest affidavit.
According to the affidavit, when later contacted by police, Scheer initially denied touching or making any sexually explicit comments to the man, until he was informed of the recording device. Then he admitted touching the man’s upper thigh to see if he was receptive to sexual advances, according to the affidavit.
The arrest affidavit was opened to the public following resolution of the case Friday, when Scheer entered a plea of no contest to a reduced misdemeanor charge of battery in connection with the April 12 incident. He initially was charged with sexual battery, which also is a misdemeanor.
Amy Taylor, an assistant county attorney, said Scheer’s 90-day jail sentence was suspended.
Scheer was placed on six months of supervised probation, with the special condition that he complete a Salina Catholic Diocese program for evaluation and treatment and have no contact with the man. He was ordered to pay $160 in court costs and $90 in other fees.
Scheer, who was ordained in 1995 and had served at Sacred Heart Cathedral, was placed on administrative leave following his arrest. Father Frank Coady was appointed at the end of June as pastor of the cathedral parish.
In a statement on the Catholic Diocese of Salina’s website, Bishop Edward Weisenburger wrote that Scheer would be provided “emotional and spiritual assistance,” and his possible return to ministry would be determined after his evaluation by health care professionals and Diocesan leaders.
Catholic priests take a vow of chastity before assuming their position with the church, and Weisenburger’s statement on the diocese’s website noted that he was grieved that Scheer may have taken an action that is illegal as well as inconsistent with his faith.
According to the arrest affidavit, the man, who is 48 years old, said he first went to Sacred Heart to request financial assistance in 2007, and Scheer had provided it on that occasion and at other times. He called Scheer April 12 seeking money to buy a fuel pump for his car and asked for a ride to a job interview.
He said Scheer arrived to pick him up before he was ready, and he answered the door after a shower wearing a towel around his waist. He said he returned to the bathroom and shut the door behind him, but a short time later he felt someone grabbing his buttocks under the towel, according to the arrest affidavit.
The man said he turned to find Scheer standing behind him, rubbing his genitals on the outside of his pants. The man said Scheer told him he wanted to have sex with him, but the man told Scheer he was not interested.
Four days later, the man walked to Sacred Heart wearing a listening device supplied by police and made contact with Scheer. He told Scheer he was uncomfortable with Scheer touching him in the bathroom, and Scheer apologized. Scheer also apologized for possibly misunderstanding comments the man had made about looking for a different relationship. Scheer told the man his actions were inappropriate, according to the affidavit
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Man recorded priests apology for inappropriate touch, affidavit says
salina.com
14 August 2012
By ERIN MATHEWS
A Salina man who reported to police that he had been inappropriately touched by a Catholic priest was equipped with a listening device when he visited the Rev. Allen K. Scheer’s office and received an apology, according to an arrest affidavit.
According to the affidavit, when later contacted by police, Scheer initially denied touching or making any sexually explicit comments to the man, until he was informed of the recording device. Then he admitted touching the man’s upper thigh to see if he was receptive to sexual advances, according to the affidavit.
The arrest affidavit was opened to the public following resolution of the case Friday, when Scheer entered a plea of no contest to a reduced misdemeanor charge of battery in connection with the April 12 incident. He initially was charged with sexual battery, which also is a misdemeanor.
Amy Taylor, an assistant county attorney, said Scheer’s 90-day jail sentence was suspended, and he was placed on six months of supervised probation, with the special condition that he complete a Salina Catholic Diocese program for evaluation and treatment and have no contact with the man. He was ordered to pay $160 in court costs and $90 in other fees.
The fact that Bishop Weisenburger is even considering Father Scheer’s return to ministry is beyond disgusting.
Anyway, I must say hats off to the victim who had the foresight to tape his conversation with Scheer. As we see, until Scheer was told by police that he had been taped he was all set to deny and thereby cast his victim as a liar.