Church probe of priest in sex assault ongoing

CEBU CITY—An investigation that Church officials here described as “internal” is ongoing over reports that a priest had sexually molested a teenage female choir member right inside the parish convent in a town in southwestern Cebu.

The victim is a 17-year-old member of the parish choir.

According to reports, the priest sexually molested them on Christmas Eve last year.

“The archdiocese will look into this serious allegation,” said Msgr. Joseph Tan, spokesperson of the archdiocese.

“Allegations of this kind cannot be ignored,” Tan said.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has instructed Msgr. Rey Penagunda, one of the two vicar generals of the archdiocese, to investigate.

Still performing duties

But while the investigation is ongoing, Tan said the priest could continue performing his duties like celebrating Mass and giving Communion.

“There’s a possibility that he will be preventively suspended, but it all depends on the recommendation of Msgr. Penagunda and our canon lawyers,” said Tan.

“If they see the need to pull him out of the parish for practical reasons and for the good of all, then let it be,” he said.

Tan said the Church investigation is independent from that which is expected to be conducted by the prosecutors’ office once charges are filed against the priest.

“We can’t give the exact time frame of the investigation,” said Tan. “But we should not take too much time. As of the moment, we’re taking it step by step,” he said.

The result of the local church’s investigation would be sent to the Vatican for appropriate action.

“The mindset of the Church is first to protect the alleged victim and second, to give the concerned priest an opportunity to answer the accusations,” Tan said.

Tan said the priest should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“He should be given the benefit of the doubt,” Tan said.

Talk to parents

He said Msgr. Penagunda wants to meet the parents of the victim, but the parents have not yet replied to Church officials’ request to meet.

The priest was ordained in 1990, a year ahead of Tan.

Tan recalled the priest being “a typical seminarian.”

“I could not remember an incident where he was involved in an issue inside the seminary,” said Tan.

On June 4, the victim and her cousin reported to police what the priest did last year and decided to press charges.

The teenager said the priest had instructed her to get fruits inside his car, which was parked outside the church, on Dec. 24, 2014. When she opened the car, she said she was surprised to see the priest inside the vehicle.

Cathy said the priest embraced and kissed her, and asked her to go to his room. She said she brought along her cousin to the room and they massaged him upon his request.

Cathy said the priest touched her private parts and later gave her and her cousin P100 each which the priest said was a Christmas gift.