SAN CARLOS Diocese Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said a parish priest who was accused of molesting a four-year-old girl in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental is not hiding from the authorities.
This came after the victim’s family alleged they don’t know the whereabouts of the priest, whose name was withheld, after the incident became public.
Alminaza explained that the priest is under the custody of the diocese, where the priest’s parish belongs.
“He (priest) did not run away. He will face the allegations,” Alminaza stressed.
He is, by law, given 10 days to reply to the accusations leveled against him, the bishop added.
He went to my office on Sunday, February 24, and informed me about what happened, Alminaza said.
Despite the filing of the rape complaint before the City Prosecutor’s Office on February 27, Alminaza said the priest was advised by his legal counsel not to speak about the allegations against him as the investigation of the police and the diocese are ongoing.
“He was really shocked about what happened. He denied the allegations against him, claiming he is not a pervert and he is not capable of doing it,” Alminaza said.
The bishop, however, reiterated that they are not taking any sides on the issue since authorities are still probing it.
“We also acknowledged his right to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise and we are committed to assist and cooperate in the process so the truth will come out and justice is served,” Alminaza said.
Alminaza said the priest has been serving the parish for five years now. He is supposed to be transferred to another place after their six-year tenure of service.
The priest was already replaced pending the investigation.
“It was part of the protocol and out pastoral remedy to the situation,” he added.
On February 23, the family of the victim reported to the police that the child was allegedly sexually assaulted by the priest at the comfort room of the convent at the parish, where her mother was working.
Based on the medical results, the victim was negative of laceration but the incident can still be considered rape because the priest reportedly kissed the victim and played with her private part, said Chief Inspector Robert Mansueto, city police chief.
Mansueto said the family claimed the priest did not hold a mass last Sunday and was not seen at the parish when the news came out. “It was expected. Maybe he just avoided the situation.”
Mansueto said they also have monitored the absence of the priest, adding they can consider it as “hiding” even if the bishop said the priest is willing to surface.
Mansueto said they will just wait for the fiscal to resolve the complaint.
Wake-up call
As this developed, Alminaza said it was the first time that a member of the clergy was accused of such act.
“I hope this will serve as a wake-up call to the members of the clergy,” he said.
The diocese has tasked two priests to probe the alleged child molestation.
Alminaza also said the Diocese has asked the parish leaders to reach out to the victim’s family and provide them with much-needed assistance.
The bishop also advised the members of the Diocese to double their prayers. “Even if one of our members is affected on this issue, we will also hear the other side.”
The San Carlos Diocese is comprised by 26 parishes, seven quasi-parishes, eight mission stations and one chaplaincy from the towns of Manapla, Toboso, Calatrava, Salvador Benedicto and the cities of San Carlos, Escalante, Cadiz and Sagay in Negros Occidental; and towns of La Libertad and Vallehermoso and the cities of Canlaon and Guihulngan in Negros Oriental.