Saturday, April 21, 2007 Priest’s ‘victims’ avoid going to church now
THE high school students who allegedly experienced lascivious acts by a priest while he was hearing their confession during a seminar last year reportedly do not want to go to church.
“The children do not want to see a priest. They do not like to go to church. They are still disturbed because of what happened,” said Cebu City Councilor Gerardo Caril-lo, who is among the panel of lawyers helping the students.
He said Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 and City Department of Social Welfare Services social workers reported that the girls were traumatized by their experience.
Harassment
Of the about 20 students, only seven issued statements before the National Bureau of Investigation 7, which recently filed seven counts of acts of lasciviousness and sexual harassment against Fr. Benedicto Ejares.
According to the affidavits, the students were taking turns as penitents before Ejares, who was hearing confession as part of a Life in the Spirit seminar held at the Abellana National High School last Nov. 14, 2006.
One student said she saw Ejares place his hands on the shoulders and “toyed” with a bra strap of the penitent ahead of her.
Tickled
And when it was her turn as penitent, Ejares did the same and even pinched and tickled her forearm.
The incident prompted the DSWD 7 to conduct an inquiry. The NBI later took over the investigation.
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal has already asked that Ejares show up.
While acknowledging that it is Ejares’ right to keep silent, Carillo, too, said it is better for the priest to answer the complaint so his side can also be heard.
He said that if Ejares attended the dialogue called for him and the students, the complaint may have been avoided. (RHM)
