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Harlem Parish Defends Priest In Church Sex Scandal

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Aug 4, 2008 2:51 pm US/Eastern

Harlem Parish Defends Priest In Church Sex Scandal

Monsignor Wallace Harris Steps Down, Denies Charges

Reporting
Magee Hickey
NEW YORK (CBS) ― CBS 2 was the first to expose abuse allegations involving a Harlem priest who serves as Governor Paterson's personal pastor.

The Reverend Monsignor Wallace Harris, leader of St. Charles Borromeo church, has been forced to leave his congregation after being accused of abusing two minors.

Monday's 8:30 a.m. daily mass at St. Charles Borromeo was twice as long as usual, with twice as many parishioners in attendance making petitions for their beloved pastor.

"He's a strong man – he will survive this, we have no doubt about that,"
Carol Sayles said. "Liars will be liars. Jesus Christ had to endure it, [so] why not Monsignor Harris?"

Those devoted to their pastor of 19 years cannot believe that there is any truth to the allegations now being investigated by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office – that the 61-year-old priest allegedly abused two minors 20 years ago.

"I have known him for over 30 years. He's a very good man," Melvin Johnson said. "We will do everything we can to get him back to this church."

Monsignor Harris is a very well-known figure in Harlem. He delivered the invocation at Governor Paterson's inauguration in March, and coordinated Pope Benedict's huge mass at Yankee Stadium the following month.

People who live in the community say they will do whatever they can to support their monsignor.

"I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt, because I like Monsignor Harris," Juliette Clement said.

"The man's a good man. He wouldn't do anything like that," Diane Porter said. "How can you help him? Pray for him. That's the best I can do."

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.