Belmont County Priest Cleared Of Sex Assault Allegations

October 1st, 2008
WTOV
Ohio

The case against a former Belmont County priest accused of sex assault has been dismissed.The Rev. Gary Zalenski had been accused of molesting a teenage girl in 1991. On Wednesday, a Guernsey County grand jury said there was not enough evidence and did not indict the 36-year-old Catholic priest.

Zalenski was never charged in connection with the allegation, but the bishop of the Steubenville diocese removed Zalenski from active ministry at Sacred Heart Church in Neffs in November 2007. Zalenski had insisted from the beginning that the allegations were false. On Wednesday he said he was "very happy, grateful" that the case was dismissed. "I have been telling the truth about an incredible allegation against me. Now, the public knows."

A spokeswoman for The Survivors Network Of Those Abused By Priests said she believes there may be more evidence out there. "We're puzzled and disappointed. It's important to remember that the bar for criminal prosecution is high," said Judy Jones. Diocese officials said Zalenski is still not able to serve in active ministry as a priest for the Diocese of Steubenville.

In a written statement, communications director Pat DeFrancis said, "Whether (Zalenski) will be reinstated to active ministry depends on the outcome of a canonical (church law) process, which continues." DeFrancis further wrote that the "matter is being handled in full accord with the 'Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,' which was adopted by the Catholic bishops of the United States in 2002, the 'Essential Norms,' which are special laws approved by the pope for the United States to deal with child abuse, and the Diocese of Steubenville’s 'Decree on Child Protection.'"