A Catholic priest in Florida is the subject of a lawsuit alleging that he sexually abused an altar boy for several years, beginning when the child was just nine years old.

According to Daily Mail, the civil suit, filed last month in Orange County, accuses Father George Zina and multiple church institutions of allowing the abuse to continue unchecked between 2001 and 2007 at two Orlando churches.

The plaintiff, listed in the complaint as "John Doe," claims the abuse began while he was serving as an altar boy at Holy Family Catholic Church in Orlando. According to the lawsuit, Zina started grooming the child soon after they met, exploiting their shared Italian heritage to gain access to the boy’s family.

Details describe the pattern of alleged grooming

The lawsuit outlines a series of alleged incidents that took place in various areas, including within the church's confession booths, dressing rooms, recreation hall, and even in Zina's car. The plaintiff says Zina told him that God had chosen one altar server to be in a same-sex relationship with the priest, which God supposedly approved.

"He was told things to keep his compliance and his silence, like, this one is a bit disturbing," said Jenny Rossman, the attorney representing the plaintiff, "but that 'God blessed' their 'relationship.'" Rossman works with Herman Law, the firm representing "John Doe."

Rossman also alleged that the priest would give the boy shoulder massages and refer to him as "my best boy," often within sight of other clergy members and staff. She emphasized that this behavior should have warned those around Zina that something was wrong.

Plaintiff’s family changed churches to follow the priest

After Zina transferred to St. Jude Maronite Catholic Church in Orlando, the plaintiff and his family also began attending that church, where the abuse allegedly continued. According to the lawsuit, Zina retained access to the boy throughout the six years, continuing his manipulative behavior and isolating the child from others.

The lawsuit contends that church officials and institutions failed to act to protect the plaintiff. It argues that suspicious actions, such as the boy being repeatedly taken alone to isolated areas, should have triggered concern and intervention.

The legal complaint names several institutions as defendants, including the Diocese of Orlando, Holy Family Catholic Church, Orlando Inc., St. Jude Maronite Catholic Church, and the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn. All are accused of negligence in their oversight duties.

Church denies prior complaints against priest

A spokesperson for the Eparchy of Saint Maron said no similar complaints have ever been received about Zina during his 38 years as a priest. The Eparchy acknowledges the lawsuit but denies the current allegations against him.

Despite the accusations, Zina remains in active ministry. He currently serves at St. Elias Catholic Church in Roanoke, Virginia, a position he assumed in 2022. He was previously placed on leave from 2009 to 2010 and then reassigned to a parish in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Zina has not responded publicly or through legal representation regarding the allegations at this time.

Authorities completed the investigation, and charges were recommended

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office completed its criminal investigation into the allegations in February. The office confirmed that detectives submitted the case with recommended charges, including sexual battery on a child under 12 and sexual battery with a child aged 12 to 18.

“The victim is now an adult and gave very compelling testimony to our detectives,” said a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office. “At this time, we do not indicate that charges have been filed by the [State Attorney’s Office].”

The Ninth District State Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing the case. A decision on whether to proceed with formal charges has yet to be announced.

Lawsuit highlights concerns of church oversight

Rossman emphasized the role of the church institutions in enabling the abuse. “They knew, or they should have known, that Father Zina was unsafe,” she said. “That special attention should have raised a red flag to those within the church.”

She added that the psychological impact on the boy, who allegedly endured years of manipulation, will be long-lasting. “For a kid to hear these things from his priest while he was a parishioner at the church...is going to have lifelong effects.”

The case brings to light broader issues surrounding institutional accountability and oversight in religious organizations. The outcome of both the civil and potential criminal cases may significantly affect how similar future cases are handled.