CHARLOTTE — Vincentian Father Abel Osorio, parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Church in Greensboro, has been suspended from ministry and an investigation has been launched by his order following the reporting of an allegation that he massaged the shoulders of a child.
According to a Sept. 7 statement from the Congregation of the Mission Eastern Province USA and the Diocese of Charlotte, “This week it was reported to the pastor that, approximately a year ago, Father Abel Osorio had inappropriate contact with a 14-year-old girl by massaging her on her shoulders during a public event held in the parish.”
“We are taking this allegation very seriously. Father Abel has been suspended from religious ministry and is prohibited from engaging in priestly duties while this accusation is investigated,” said Vincentian Father Steve Grozio, provincial for the order’s Eastern province, which is based in Philadelphia and oversees the Vincentian priests who serve in the Charlotte diocese.
According to David Hains, spokesman for the Charlotte diocese, the incident is alleged to have occurred at the church in Greensboro. Hains said diocesan officials were made aware of the allegation Sept. 7 “and immediately acted.”
Among its other ministries, the Eastern province staffs parishes in Philadelphia, New York, Maryland and Alabama.
Besides St. Mary’s Church, the order staffs Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Charlotte.
Father Osorio, who is from Mexico, ministered to Hispanic Catholics at the Greensboro parish.
The parish recently welcomed a new pastor, Vincentian Father William M. Allegretto, who replaces Vincentian Father Charles Strollo effective Sept. 10.
According to Hains, the parish’s leadership and staff have been notified and parishioners will be notified at this weekend’s Masses.
“The Vincentian Fathers and the Diocese of Charlotte condemn all forms of sexual misconduct and sexual abuse, especially concerning a child,” the statement from the Vincentian provincial and the Charlotte diocese stated.
“We are committed to providing a safe environment in our ministries and will take aggressive action when that commitment is violated. Any person who suspects, or has knowledge of, an incident of possible sexual misconduct by any church personnel of the Diocese of Charlotte is urged to immediately report the incident by reporting it to the pastor, or by calling the Chancery at 704-370-6299, or notifying the Department of Social Services.”
— Catholic News Herald