MIAMI, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- A Pompano Beach, Fla., priest has retired after a former Mariel boatlift refugee accused him of sexual abuse in the early 1980s.
The allegations have been corroborated by a fellow priest, The Miami Herald reported Wednesday.
The Rev. Ricardo Castellanos had drawn thousands of worshipers to his church and a cable television show before announcing his retirement.
He is also fighting five other abuse allegations lodged earlier by former altar boys and youths and has been on administrative leave since 2002.
Mary Ross Agosta, spokeswoman for the Miami Archdiocese, said the Catholic Church is investigating the allegations, which have been reported to the State Attorney's Office. Castellanos will not be allowed to celebrate mass.
A fellow priest, Rev. Hector Gonzalez-Abreu, is helping the unidentified former Mariel refugee with his negligence case against Castellanos.
Castellanos has been pastor of San Isidro Catholic Church since 1982 and is host of the Trinity Broadcasting Network show, "In the Word with Father Ricardo."
