Ex-priest returned to Arizona from Italy to face child molestation charges

An ex-priest accused of molesting at least three boys and fleeing house arrest was returned to Arizona from Italy and appeared before a judge Friday.

Joseph John Henn, 70, appeared before the judge after Italian authorities handed him over to the U.S. Marshals Service, the Associated Press reported.

Henn fled from Arizona to Italy in 2003 after being indicted on charges including child molestation and sexual conduct with a minor, authorities said.

He is accused of abusing at least three boys in the late 1970s and early 1980s while serving as a priest in the Salvatorian Order of the Catholic Church in Phoenix.

Henn fled to Rome and was placed under house arrest but fled, authorities said. 

He was arrested again in Rome in May before being returned to the United States, the AP reported.

More: 2 Catholic orders name 65 priests accused of abuse; 27 served in Arizona

In a May 31 statement, the Diocese of Phoenix said it was "pleased" to hear of Henn's arrest, adding that Henn is identified on the diocese website as a priest removed from ministry because of sexual misconduct.

Henn served at St. Mark Parish in Phoenix from 1978 to 1982, the diocese said.

The statement said the diocese has made "great efforts to put systems into place to keep our young people safe" and that it would continue to cooperate with law enforcement.

It asked the public for "continued prayers for Christ's healing."

Reach the reporter at bfrank@arizonarepublic.com or follow her on Twitter @brieannafrank. 

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