A priest teaching at a primary school in Sanok (Podkarpacie) was charged with three counts of violating bodily integrity. One of them concerns a situation in which the priest allegedly hit a student because he was touching his guitar. This incident occurred in the catechism room at the parish. The other two incidents covered by the charge took place on the school premises where the catechist was teaching. The teacher was suspended from his duties.
The investigation is conducted by the District Prosecutor’s Office in Sanok.
– Currently, the catechist has been charged with three charges under Article 217, paragraph 1 of the Penal Code – prosecutor Paweł Kędzierski told us.
§ 1. Whoever strikes a human being or in any other manner violates his or her physical inviolability shall be subject to a fine, the penalty of restriction of liberty or the penalty of deprivation of liberty for up to one year.
He added that the allegations cover three incidents, including a situation from late November 2023, when a catechist allegedly hit a student in the catechetical room at the parish because he was touching his guitar.
The prosecutor's office, in order to protect the welfare of the victims, is not providing information on the remaining events covered by the charges. It is only known that they occurred on the school grounds where the catechist taught, and that all of the victims are under 15 years old.
The prosecutor's office does not provide information on whether the priest admitted to the acts he was accused of. – He was questioned as a suspect, the catechist gave explanations, which I will not disclose due to the good of the proceedings and the protection of the injured parties – prosecutor Kędzierski told us.
The prosecutor's office does not rule out that the catechist will hear further charges. It is also possible that other people will be questioned as witnesses. – The proceedings are ongoing – our interlocutor emphasizes.
Interrogations – in accordance with the regulations concerning conducting activities with minors under 15 years of age – take place in the presence of a psychologist. An opinion is prepared from each interview, which is sent to the prosecutor's office.
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Investigation due to “important public interest”
The investigation into this case was initiated on March 15 following a notification submitted to the prosecutor’s office on March 8 by the principal of the school where the priest had recently been a catechist.
The investigation into a breach of integrity, which is initiated by a private prosecution, was in this case initiated following a “public complaint” on grounds of an “important public interest”.
The incident in question took place at the end of November last year. It was then that a catechist allegedly hit a student who was allegedly ripping his guitar.
Read also: Nun accused of child abuse
Teacher suspended
The principal of the school where the catechist was employed stated in an interview with tvn24.pl that she learned about the case in March this year.
– After receiving the information, the school took action, as a result of which the teacher was suspended from his duties as of April 11, 2024, and due to the situation, additional psychological and pedagogical assistance was implemented – the director told us.
She added that explanatory proceedings are also underway in the case before the disciplinary committee for teachers at the Podkarpackie Voivode.
– Due to ongoing proceedings and the well-being of the children, I cannot provide details on this matter. I will add that all actions in accordance with procedures have been implemented at the school – she assured.
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