Priest's case held till March

Rochester Democrat and Chronice, New York/August 24, 2006

Gates — The case of Gates priest Father John Steger has been moved to March 21 in Town Court.

Steger, 80, is facing sexual abuse charges that were filed in May.

“The next appearance is to decide the validity of the charges and the admissibility of any statement that the father gave to police,” said John Speranza, Steger’s lawyer, who said this must be done before a trial date is set.

Gates police charged Steger, a priest at St. Jude the Apostle Church, with two counts of second-degree sexual abuse and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, all misdemeanors involving a 12-year-old girl.

Steger, a priest since 1951, has been placed on administrative leave.