Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, August 13, 1995                   TAG: 9508140080
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Medium

D.C. PRIEST CHARGED WITH SODOMY

Rev. Ira Lott was released on his own recognizance by District of Columbia Superior Court Commissioner J. Dennis Doyle, pending a preliminary hearing Aug. 31.

Lott, 61, is charged with one count of sodomy in connection with an alleged incident last January involving a 32-year-old inmate transferred to the mental hospital from the Lorton Correctional Complex after reporting a gang rape to prison authorities.

A member of the Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate based in San Antonio, Texas, Lott has been banned from wearing a priest's habit or performing any church-related duties by Cardinal James Hickey of the Washington Archdiocese. However, archdiocese officials said Lott remains a priest.

Since Lott is not an employee of the archdiocese, Hickey refused to comment further, archdiocese spokeswoman Dawn Ceol said.

Police arrested Lott at his southwest Washington residence early Friday.

In a one-page affidavit released by the U.S. attorney's office, Lott is alleged to have told the victim he could have him transferred back to Lorton. Lott then allegedly blocked an exit to a room the two were in, placed his hand on the man's leg, kissed him on the lips and fondled the victim.

The patient alleged that on subsequent occasions Lott would meet him either in a conference room or the hospital chapel and forcibly engage in oral sex with him, according to the court document.

Dr. Linda Boyd, a spokeswoman for the hospital, said Lott has been a chaplain on its staff since 1972. She said the patient complained to hospital officials in January.