Priest nabbed for molestation
2005-07-18 12:58
Rome - Italian police have arrested an American Roman Catholic priest wanted on child molestation charges in Arizona, the cleric's lawyer said on Monday.
The Rev. Joseph Henn was arrested on a court order on Saturday and is now under house arrest at the headquarters of his Salvatorian order, near St Peter's Square, said attorney Michele Gentiloni Severj.
Henn, who had worked in the Diocese of Phoenix, was indicted on child molestation charges in 2003 in Arizona.
The order refused to comment, directing queries to Henn's superior in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A woman who answered the phone said Henn was not available.
Henn's lawyer said that the Italian court would soon ask the priest if he would agree to extradition. If he accepts it, he will be sent to the United States quickly, the lawyer said, while a refusal would bring a longer extradition process.
- SAPA