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.