Priest abuse claims led to suspension

Months ofrumors ended with devastating confirmation Wednesday night that thelongtime, beloved pastor of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in NorthDallas was suspended over allegations of child sexual abuse.

TheRev. Nicholas Katinas led the church, a focal point of the local Greekcommunity, for 28 years. He retired on July 1, citing illness andfatigue.

Officials of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Americasuspended him within days, meaning he could no longer serve as apriest, even on a fill-in basis.

But they waited untilWednesday night to inform the congregation that accusations of childsexual abuse were the cause of the suspension.

"There is no doubtthat Father Nicholas engaged in serious moral transgressions," the Rev.Michael Kontogiorgis, assistant chancellor of the Greek OrthodoxArchdiocese of America, told a hushed crowd of about 400.

FatherKatinas could not be reached for comment. Holy Trinity's administrator,Larry Wright, said the suspended priest left Monday for Greece to visitfamily.

Father Kontogiorgis said the complaint that led to thesuspension was lodged in the "not too distant past" and arose fromanother parish. Father Katinas, 72, served a church in the Chicago areabefore coming to Dallas.

There had been no previous indication of misconduct in Father Katinas' long tenure, Father Kontogiorgis said.

Buthe added, "The statements we heard were corroborated by the accuser'schildhood friends who are now well-respected professionals in otherparts of the country."

In speaking to the congregation aboutFather Katinas' conduct, Father Kontogiorgis used the word "minors." Hewould not elaborate afterward but did confirm that he meant to use theplural.

Father Kontogiorgis told the congregation that he isalso investigating a recent complaint against Father Katinas involvingabuse alleged to have occurred at Holy Trinity.

A Dallas lawyer,Tahira Khan Merritt, said she represents a man who claims to have beensexually abused by Father Katinas while a young teenage altar server in1983-85. She expects to file a lawsuit soon.

Church members saidthat rumors had engulfed the congregation but that it was stilldifficult to believe that Father Katinas had been suspended because ofsexual misconduct allegations.

"It's the last thing we would have expected," Paul Cromidas said.

ButMr. Cromidas said the Greek Orthodox Church has not been aggressiveenough in investigating complaints against priests, and he criticizedthe long delay in informing the congregation about the nature of FatherKatinas' suspension.

"It could have been and should have been dealt with sooner," he said.

Another congregation member said he could not believe that Father Katinas was guilty of abusing minors.

"I'mgoing to go to my grave not believing it," said Chris Canellos, 42, whogrew up attending the church, spending many hours around FatherKatinas. He said he would have heard long ago if Father Katinas hadraised suspicions.

"This is the Greek community," he said. "We don't keep secrets. We would have known about it."

FatherKatinas is credited with leading Holy Trinity in its move from EastDallas to new facilities on Hillcrest in North Dallas. He's also knownfor having had a high-profile role in the annual Greek Food Festival,and he has been active in interfaith work in the city.

FatherKontogiorgis referred to Father Katinas' "wondrous" accomplishments atHoly Trinity while explaining the suspension to the congregation.

Inthe Orthodox church, clergy can marry, and Father Katinas is a marriedfather and grandfather. One of his sons is a priest, church memberssaid.

Father Kontogiorgis said Father Katinas' suspension fromclergy duties is permanent. He told the congregation that he hopesFather Katinas will seek residential counseling.