A Catholic priest has been arrested for allegedly forcibly touching a woman inside a church kitchen in a Long Island diocese already reeling from so many sex-abuse cases that it’s bankrupt.
The Rev. John Adjei-Boamah, 43, was hit with the two sex-abuse misdemeanors for allegedly forcing himself on the unidentified woman in the St. Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic Church rectory in Franklin Square, Nassau County cops said.
His arrest comes as the Diocese of Rockville Centre — one of the largest in the country — continues drowning in a wave of sex-abuse scandals that pushed it into bankruptcy in 2020 after being hit with hundreds of lawsuits.
In December, church leaders agreed to pay out $323 million to settle the claims in one of the largest settlements ever of its kind.
“The Diocese of Rockville Centre confirms that an accusation of sexual misconduct with an adult has been made against Father John Adjei Boamah,” said the diocese, which oversees the parish, in its church bulletin. “Father Adjei Boamah will be stepping away from all ministries during the review of this matter.
“We understand that this is very upsetting news. Thank you for your understanding and prayers.”
On March 6, Adjei-Boamah allegedly “walked up behind” a woman he knew from his service at the church “and forcibly touched her in the kitchen,” according to police.
Diocesan spokesman Rev. Eric Fasano issued a statement Friday that said the diocese immediately reported the priest upon learning of the incident May 30.
Police said it was first reported to them June 6.
The priest has pleaded not guilty, according to court records, and was arraigned and released with an order of protection against him for the accuser, said police spokesman Detective Lt. Scott Skrynecki.
Adjei-Boamah, ordained in 2011, first joined the small Long Island parish in June 2023 after immigrating from Ghana, where he was part of the Diocese of Konongo-Mampong, according to the Rockville Centre diocese’s newsletter.
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