Ohio priest convicted of sexual abuse of minors

According to court documents, Zacharias used psychological coercion, threats, and money to force his underage and adult victims to perform sexual acts with him. The two underage victims told investigators that they were addicted to drugs and needed the money.

Zacharias was ordained a priest in 2002 and was the pastor of St. Michael the Archangel parish in Findlay, Ohio, at the time of his arrest, according to a 2020 Diocese of Toledo release.

He began grooming some of his underage victims while still a seminarian at St. Catherine of Siena parish in Toledo, according to a Friday statement by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The Diocese of Toledo released a response after Zacharias’ conviction, announcing the path was now clear to begin canonical proceedings and explaining that the Holy See will make the final determination on whether Zacharias will be laicized, that is removed from the priesthood.

“With the conclusion of the federal trial and the conviction of Zacharias, the diocese is now free to address this matter according to Canon (Church) law,” the diocesan statement said. “The case will be presented to the Holy See who will make the final judgment, which will lead to a determination of his status as a priest.”

Kelly Donaghy, senior director of communications at the Diocese of Toledo, told CNA that “the canonical work to send the case to the Holy See is already underway.”