Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Austrian Catholic church probes abuse allegations against priest

Austria's Catholic church says it is investigating abuse allegations against a priest.

The Salzburg Archdiocese says Peter Hofer has temporarily relinquished his duties over claims by a 47-year-old woman that he repeatedly raped her in the 1980s when she was an altar girl.

It says in a statement Friday that he will be suspended if proven guilty.

The Austria Press Agency reports that Hofer denies the accusations but acknowledged he had a consensual sexual relationship with the woman when she was no longer a minor.

Last year, Austria was hit by a series of abuse claims against clergy and employees of church-affiliated institutions such as schools.