Father George W. Rutler Steps Down After Church’s Security Guard Alleges Assault

 

The priests, ministers of my Son, the priests, by their wicked lives, by their irreverence and their impiety in the celebration of the holy mysteries, by their love of money, their love of honors and pleasures, and the priests have become cesspools of impurity. Yes, the priests are asking vengeance, and vengeance is hanging over their heads. Woe to the priests and to those dedicated to God who by their unfaithfulness and their wicked lives are crucifying my Son again! The sins of those dedicated to God cry out towards Heaven and call for vengeance, and now vengeance is at their door, for there is no one left to beg mercy and forgiveness for the people. There are no more generous souls; there is no one left worthy of offering a stainless sacrifice to the Eternal for the sake of the world. Our Lady of La Salette 19 Sept. 1846 (Published by Mélanie 1879) 

“The chiefs, the leaders of the people of God have neglected prayer and penance, and the devil has bedimmed their intelligence. They have become wandering stars which the old devil will drag along with his tail to make them perish. God will allow the old serpent to cause divisions among those who reign in every society and in every family. Physical and moral agonies will be suffered. God will abandon mankind to itself and will send punishments which will follow one after the other for more than thirty-five years. Our Lady of La Salette 19 Sept. 1846 (Published by Mélanie 1879) 

New York pastor steps down after church’s security guard alleges assault

NEW YORK (CNS) — Father George W. Rutler has stepped aside from his duties as pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Manhattan after a security guard at the church alleged he sexually assaulted her in his office. 

The criminal complaint, under investigation by the Manhattan district attorney’s office, accuses Father Rutler of watching pornography in the guard’s presence.

The incident reportedly took place in Father Rutler’s office in the overnight hours of Nov. 4. The priest allegedly attacked the security guard, Ashley Gonzalez, 22, physically and sexually when she attempted to leave the room. 

According to a report in The New York Times Dec. 5, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that its investigation was “active and ongoing.”

Father Rutler, in a letter addressed to St. Michael’s parishioners Nov. 20, denied the “allegation,” which he called “incoherent and inconsistent with how I have conducted myself in 50 years of ministerial service.” 

Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman for the New York Archdiocese, said the archdiocese was cooperating with the district attorney’s investigation and planned to conduct its own inquiry after prosecutors concluded theirs. 

Zwilling said that Father Rutler, after discussing the matter with the archdiocesan officials, “voluntarily stepped away from his duties as pastor for the good of the parish and the archdiocese,” and is not serving as a priest. 

Along with his longtime service as a priest of the archdiocese, including as pastor of St. Michael’s since 2013, Father Rutler has hosted a show on Eternal Word Television Network for more than 30 years and is a noted author. The network has suspended his programming during the investigation. 

Redemptorist Father Robert Pagliari has been assigned as temporary administrator of St. Michael’s, according to a listing on the parish’s website and confirmed by the archdiocese. Source