Priest Indicted On Rape Charges: Rockland DA

SUFFERN, NY — A grand jury has handed up an indictment against a Catholic priest accused of sexually assaulting two women in Rockland County.

Father Fidel Hernandez, a member of Tagaste Monastery and Sacred Heart Church, was indicted on first degree rape, third degree rape, three counts of first degree criminal sexual act and three counts of third degree sexual act.

He will be arraigned next week in County Court, said District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh, II.

"This indictment sends the message that this office will prosecute those whom are to be trusted by their congregants. We cannot turn a blind eye to clergy sexual abuse cases," Walsh said. "I hope that this indictment encourages others who may have seen, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes to come forward and make a report to their local police or district attorneys."

If anyone know of a potential victim, or has been a victim themselves, please contact your
local police department or the Rockland County District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit.

According to News12, he is accused of taking a woman behind the monastery and forcing himself upon her.