Friday, October 31, 2008

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Ex-priest facing child rape charges in Mass.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- A former Roman Catholic priest has been indicted on charges that he raped two children in the Berkshires during the late 1980s.

Berkshire District Attorney David Capeless announced on Thursday that 60-year-old Gary Mercure was indicted this month by a grand jury on four felony counts, including three counts of rape of a child with force and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

He is scheduled to be arraigned in Berkshire Superior Court on Nov. 18.

A spokesman for Capeless says the alleged incidents occurred in Great Barrington and Monterey in 1986, and in New Ashford in 1989.

Mercure was removed as a priest by the Diocese of Albany, N.Y. in August after abuse allegations surfaced there.

A number for Mercure could immediately be found.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)