Massachusetts pastor indicted for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting altar boy

A former Massachusetts pastor is facing charges after alleged misconduct involving an altar boy in the 2000s.

According to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Framingham Chief of Police Lester Baker, 89-year-old Francis Strahan was indicted yesterday by a Middlesex Grand Jury on one count of rape of a child by force and three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. These charges arose in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a male student at Saint Bridget’s School on two occasions when the victim was between the ages of eleven and thirteen.

From 2004- 2008, while the defendant was the Pastor of Saint Bridget’s Parish in Framingham, the alleged victim was an altar server. On one occasion when the victim was dropped off for altar service and was alone in the church, the defendant allegedly raped and sexually assaulted him. On another occasion, the defendant allegedly assaulted the victim again by pressing his body against the victim who was again at Saint Bridget’s for altar serving.

An arraignment has not yet been scheduled.

This case was investigated by Framingham Police and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. The Prosecutor assigned to this case is Courtney Linnehan, the Victim Witness Advocate is Cheri MacDonald. The Archdiocese of Boston cooperated with the investigation of this case.