Hundreds Show Up To Pray For Father Michael

More than 100 parishoners attended a prayer service Tuesday night at St. Paul Church to pray for Father Michael Miller, who was arrested Tuesday morning by Berlin Police.

Miller was charged with five felony counts of risk of injury to a minor and a misdemeanor obscenity charge.

"It's so sad because he was and is so popular especially with the children," said a woman who did not want to give her name but attended the prayer service. "I'm going to believe in innocent until proven guilty and wait to hear everything that went on."

"He has always been here for us in this community and it's time for us to be there for him," said a male who also wished to remain anonymous. "He was part of the boy scouts, the fire department, he was at every parade and gave to everyone in this town. He needs our help now, so that's why I’m here."

When asked what he felt about the victim, the man said, "If it's true, I feel terrible but if they made it up, they should be prosecuted too."

Another prayer vigil will be held at St. Paul Wednesday night, with the prayers being offered for the church. 

Miller was processed and released after posting a $150,000 bond; He is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on July 26.

The court ordered his case sealed and no additional information is being released at this time.

Miller had been hospitalized since July 4 when he was taken by Life Star helicopter to St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. Mystery has surrounded the circumstances of his illness or injuries, though the Hartford Archdiocese acknowledged recently that Miller was under investigation and that the Franciscan Friars and Archdiocese were cooperating with the investigation.