July 15, 1993  15.26 EST
Quebec-Ontario regional general news

CRIME-Priest-Sex 
Espy Cornwall 

KINGSTON, Ont. (CP)
 A Roman Catholic priest has been charged with sexually
assaulting a teenage boy.

Rev. Richard Racine, 46, a native of Cornwall, Ont., is alleged
to have committed four sexual offences over a five-year period
beginning in 1982 in the Tamworth area 40 kilometres northwest of
Kingston.

Racine, who has been pastor of Holy Name Parish in Kingston
Mills since 1992, has been removed from his duties until the case
is resolved, said a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Kingston.

The priest had earlier served in the communities of Ardoch and
Flinton, about 70 kilometres north of Kingston, and in Trenton.

Last November, Racine shaved his head to raise more than $1,000
so 12 members of his church's youth group could take a trip to
Denver, Colo. this summer. He also contributed a monthly recipe
column to the Catholic Diocesan newspaper, The Voice.

Police have not released the name of the complainant, now 22
years old.

Racine is scheduled to appear in Napanee provincial court on
Aug. 3. on one count each of sexual assault, indecent assault,
gross indecency and attempting to commit buggery.

End of document.