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Archdiocese to address alleged affairs
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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - The Archdiocese of Baltimore said Wednesday a joint statement made with the St. Agnes Parish will be placed in the church’s Sunday bulletin. It will address the sexual allegations of two married women involving the local associate pastor, the Rev. Timothy Fell. Baltimore Archdiocese spokesman Sean Caine would not describe the bulletin message as a statement support for Fell, saying only that it was “a statement regarding the matter.”
“It is a declaration of the facts as we know them at this time,” Caine said.
He reiterated that Fell has denied having an inappropriate relationship with either woman.
An alleged affair between Fell and the former director of admissions at the all-girls Mount De Sales Academy has been made in a divorce lawsuit filed in Howard County District Court.
The lawsuit alleges a yearlong affair between Charyl Breidenstein, 48, a married mother of three, and “a man whose name will be furnished at the time of the case,” according to documents.
That man, allege both Breidenstein and her husband, Mark, is Fell — who taught religion and was Mount de Sales’ chaplain until the Archdiocese asked him to step down in October after a second woman met with a Catholic official and made similar allegations of a previous affair. Charyl Breidenstein was terminated from Mount De Sales shortly after her accusations came to light. An attorney for the school said she was fired for other reasons.
The Breidensteins described Fell as a former friend, who went on vacation to Rome and Ocean City with the family. Mark Breidenstein said he and his wife sought help from the priest in dealing with family issues and that he also personally sought counseling for his marriage, which he described as troubled even before he eventually learned of the alleged affair.
Fell, 38, continues to serve at St. Agnes and several parish members came out in support him after the news of the alleged affairs broke yesterday.
“His status has not changed at this time,” Caine said. “It [is] what it is.”
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8:03 AM MST on Mon., Apr. 21, 2008 re: "Priest accused of affair with married woman"
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4:45 PM MST on Mon., Mar. 24, 2008
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Examiner Reader said:
If two women alleges similar affairs with the priest, I believe that the stories are likely to be true. Adultery of priest with parishioners or with Catholic school staff not so uncommon. I heard from some Catholics that it is a well-known secret in the church community. It is actually nothing new. It just that people don't openly talk about it when it happens because it is highly scandalous and highly private to some people. I think that we have to find the cure for this chronic problem, instead of seeking harsh punishment for them after-the-event. We should address the issue honestly and openly so that we may find out what is seated at the core of the problem and offer workable solutions to it.
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Examiner Reader said:
I go to the church where Father Tim is ordained and I don't think he would do something like this!
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Examiner Reader said:
Why is it always made out to be the most horrific crime, when a priest and a woman fall in love?? Love is the most natural thing on this planet! Where there is love, there is God! I say, lighten up readers and look towards the abuse of children, murder, etc. etc. for topics of horific content. Man and woman were not made to be alone..love is precious, and the most wonderful gift from our Lord. It's too bad when this does happen, for the ones in love are the ones who will suffer the most. Our God is an awesome God!
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