Colorado Springs Priest Accused Of Child Sex Abuse

The head pastor at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church is on leave as police investigate an allegation of child sex abuse.

The church announced in all of it’s weekend services that Rev. Charles Robert Manning was accused of sexually abusing a minor. Father Rafael Torres-Rico told KRDO Newschannel 13 that the allegation was promptly reported to Colorado Springs Police after it was reported on January 4, and Manning was asked to “step back from the ministry.”

“It’s important to remember that in civil law and canon law that Manning is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” said Torres-Rico, in his statement to the congregation.

KRDO Newschannel 13 spoke to one woman walking into 4:30 p.m. mass Sunday who said everyone was “very shocked” by the allegation.

“This is a great place and people love it here,” said the woman, who didn’t want to be named.

Many church-goers had not yet heard about the allegation as they walked into the service.

Colorado Springs Police say Manning is being investigated on an alleged report of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust. A church leader told police of the alleged report. Police say the church has been, and continues to be, extremely cooperative with the CSPD.

According to a report in the St. Louis Review , Manning worked at St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish in Bridgeton, Missouri (which closed) and was then appointed as pastor of St. John Catholic Church in Imperial, Missouri in 2004.

The Diocese of Colorado Springs is asking anyone with concerns or complaints about Rev. Manning or any minister to contact the Diocesan Office of Mission Effectiveness at (719) 636-2345 and ask to speak to Ed Gaffney or Terri Sorter. Gaffney can also be reached at (719) 651-7742 and Sorter at (719) 660-6073.