WDSU in New Orleans has published a story claiming Rev. John Asare-Dankwah of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Treme has been accused of raping and beating a 10-year-old during a church retreat in Montgomery, Alabama in 2008.
The anonymous victim, now 22, filed the lawsuit in a New Orleans court Wednesday. The victim claims the assault occurred during the time Rev. Asare-Dankwah was pastor of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Broadmore. The victim and his family were members.
The lawsuit alleges that Rev. Asare-Dankwah asked the boy if he loved God, one day during confessional. During that same confessional, Rev. Asare-Dankwah also asked the child if he loved him. The assumption is that the child said yes. Because it was during that same confessional, the victim says Rev. Asare-Dankwah exposed himself.
COVID-19 has changed the way we live, and that includes how we worship. With many churches forced to close, some members have also had to close their wallets.