Catholic Priest Accused Of Sexual Abusing Woman In Hospice Care

A 75-year-old priest has been accused of groping a woman in hospice care while giving her last rites, which, in Roman Catholicism, are the last prayers given to an individual of the faith shortly before death.

Rev. Gerold Langsch, who was a priest at an Austin, Texas, church until last month, went to the woman's home to pray with her as she is suffering from complications due to diabetes. According to the arrest affidavit, Langsch first anointed her chest with holy water, then began to apply lotion, massaging a breast, pinching a nipple and asking "Does that feel good?"

After that, he allegedly went even further, and tried to touch her lower area, but was unable to reach into her diaper.

While the woman contacted police five days after the incident took place on Oct. 5, an arrest was just made this month due to complications with the woman's health. She identified him in a lineup this month, which helped police make an arrest, CBS affiliate KEYE-TV reports.

In a statement Wednesday, the Catholic Diocese of Austin, where Langsch had been a priest of St. Paul Catholic Church, said they were aware of prior inappropriate behavior on his part. They said they “received an unrelated report that he had failed to maintain proper boundaries with an adult” in February. And while the report did not state anything about physical contact, it was in their best interest to remove Langsch from his role at the church.

The woman who was given her last rites told police she was shocked by his actions and felt like a “nasty, dirty piece of meat.”

Langsch was arrested Thursday and charged with assault by contact due to the incident. He faces one year in jail and fines up to $4,000.