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Franciscan priest charged with rape

Morrier

LORETTO — A Franciscan priest working in Loretto has been charged with rape and sexual assault against an individual with mental illness that had been under his care.

Third Order Franciscan Father David R. Morrier, 59, was charged with one count of rape and two counts of sexual battery Wednesday in Jefferson County, Ohio, according to the National Catholic Reporter.

Morrier, who according to LinkedIn is currently employed as an “assistant to local minister at TOR Franciscans” in Loretto, allegedly assaulted an individual with mental illness under his care from November 2010 through Spring 2013.

According to the indictment, obtained by the NCR, the alleged victim’s ability “to resist or consent was substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition.”

A message Friday to the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular was not returned.

Morrier was a former campus minister at Franciscan University of Steubenville until June 2014 when he was named the Parochial Vicar at Saint Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Arlington, Texas.

“The University has cooperated and will continue to cooperate fully with authorities concerning the conduct of Father David Morrier, TOR, prior to 2014,” a statement from Franciscan University said. “Franciscan University removed him permanently from campus ministry, and he was also prohibited from returning to campus.”

A statement from the Diocese of Steubenville said it first became aware of the case in November 2018.

The Steubenville Diocese said that although Morrier is not a member, it began an investigation once the allegations were presented.

“Although Father Morrier is not a priest of the Steubenville Diocese, the diocese began an immediate preliminary investigation with the alleged victim and officers with the Steubenville police department,” the statement read.

The statement from the Steubenville Diocese said it submitted a report to the Minister General of the TOR’s in Rome as well as to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Holy See on Dec. 11, 2018.

“Since that time, the diocese has continued to work with the Steubenville police department and has provided updates on the investigation to the Holy See,” the statement said.

Morrier was ordained into the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Third Order Regular of Saint Francis of Penance in 1997.

Morrier is summoned to appear in court Wednesday in Steubenville, Ohio.

Altoona-Johnstown Diocese Secretary for Communications Tony DeGol declined comment because the Third Order Franciscans “are a separate institution.”

Mirror Staff Writer Calem Illig is at 814-946-7535.

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