SWEDEN — In a courtroom filled with supporters from his parish, Father Peter Enyan-Boadu pleaded not guilty to harassment and forcible-touching charges during a Dec. 6 appearance before Town Court Justice Carl A. Coapman.
Father Enyan-Boadu, 52, pastor of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Brockport since 1999, was accused in November of forcibly touching and kissing an adult female, according to Brockport police.
“Father is innocent, and we will prove he is innocent beyond a reasonable doubt,” said the priest’s attorney, Charles A. Schiano Jr., following the appearance.
Father Enyan-Boadu requested and was granted a personal leave of absence from public ministry, diocesan officials said. In the meantime, Msgr. Francis Ogunmodede will serve temporarily as a sacramental minister at the church, and Cathy Cerame will serve as temporary pastoral administrator, according to diocesan spokesman Douglas Mandelaro.
The priest, a native of Ghana, Africa, who was incardinated a priest of the Rochester Diocese in 1998, is next scheduled to appear in court Feb. 7.
