Orthodox church settles suit claiming priest abuse

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – A mentally ill parishioner has reached a settlement in his lawsuit against a San Francisco Eastern Orthodox church and an HIV-positive priest he accused of sexual abuse.

The unnamed plaintiff’s 2006 suit claims the Greek Orthodox Metropolis church turned a blind eye to the alleged misconduct of the Rev. Michael Rymer.

According to the suit, Rymer seduced the plaintiff, who had sought out the priest as a spiritual counselor, without revealing he was exposed to HIV.

The defendants settled during a closed hearing last week after a San Francisco Superior judge ruled the church might face steep damages.

Defense lawyers said in court documents the church had acted appropriately. Rymer testified his sexual relationship with the plaintiff was consensual. He was defrocked in 2006.