NEW YORK (AP) — A New York priest is apologizing following criticism he's receiving for saying that priests accused of child sex abuse are often seduced by their accusers and that a first-time offender shouldn't go to jail.
The Rev. Benedict Groeschel of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal made the comments in an interview with the National Catholic Register published this week. The website then removed the story and posted an apology for publishing the comments.
Groeschel also apologized, saying he did not intend to blame victims, and that he regrets any harm he caused to anyone.
The Archdiocese of New York repudiated the comments in a statement posted on its website, calling them "simply wrong." Groeschel is not a priest with the Archdiocese but has worked with it in the past.
