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| The Rev. Langsch, formerly of Waukesha, is accused of assaulting an Austin, Texas, woman in hospice by groping her while administering last rites. He was arrested March 14 and faces one count of misdemeanor assault by contact. (Photo: Associated Press) |
A Catholic priest with ties to a
Waukesha religious community has been charged with misdemeanor assault
in Texas for allegedly groping a woman while administering her last
rites.
The Rev. Gerold Langsch, 75, a
member of the Schoenstatt Fathers, could face up to a year in jail and a
fine of $4,000 if convicted.
Langsch appears to
have moved to Austin in 2015 to serve at a parish there. According to
news accounts, on Oct. 5, he was called to the home of a 60-year-old
woman in hospice care who was suffering from renal failure as a result
of diabetes.
The woman told police Langsch anointed
her chest with holy oil, then massaged her breast with lotion and
pinched her nipple, asking, "Does that feel good?" He then tried to
reach into her diaper, but could not, authorities said.
Langsch was arrested this month on a charge of assault by contact and released on $15,000 bond.
The Diocese of Austin issued a statement Thursday
saying Langsch had been relieved of his faculties to serve as a priest
in that diocese. It said he had already been asked to resign as pastor
at St. Paul Parish in Austin because of an unrelated allegation made in
February that he had failed to maintain proper boundaries with an adult.
It said that incident did not involve physical contact.
Contact
Annysa Johnson at anjohnson@jrn.com or 414-224-2061. Follow her on
Twitter at @JSEdbeat. And join the Journal Sentinel conversation about
education issues at www.facebook.com/groups/WisconsinEducation.
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