PITTSBURGH, April 25 -- A Roman Catholic priest was free on his own recognizance Tuesday pending sentencing after he was convicted in Pittsburgh of molesting a 13-year-old altar boy last summer. Richard Dorsch, 50, was convicted Monday of two counts of indecent assault and one count of corruption of minors and found innocent of a third count of indecent assault.
The boy testified during the one-day trial that Dorsch kissed his neck and fondled him during a swimming and golfing outing last summer to North Park. Dorsch did not take the witness stand. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Lawrence O'Toole allowed Dorsch to remain free on his own recognizance and scheduled sentencing for June 22. Dorsch was co-pastor of Risen Lord parish in Pittsburgh when the incident occurred July 26. He has been on administrative leave since his arrest. 'This situation is very painful for the church,' said the Rev. Ronald Lengwin, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. 'Our concern is not only for justice, but also, and most importantly, to bring healing to everyone involved, especially individuals and families who have been hurt. 'We need to do all in our power to reinforce the sacred bond of trust which exists between all of our priests and the people they so faithfully serve.'
