Aberdeen Priest Fired Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — Avera has fired a longtime priest at a hospital and retirement community in Aberdeen over allegations of sexual harassment.

The Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls says the allegations by female staff members against the Rev. Charles Emezie have been ruled credible. Officials say Emezie's alleged behavior violates the diocese's sexual misconduct policy, and his privilege to minister has been revoked.

A call to a home telephone listing for Emezie in Aberdeen was not answered early Wednesday.

Emezie has been chaplain at Avera St. Luke's Hospital and Avera Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen for nearly two decades. He also is a priest in the Diocese of Orlu in Nigeria. The Sioux Falls Diocese says it has notified officials there.

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