This story first crossed my blog back in August 2012 [see post HERE] and now it looks like we have resolution. The back story?
Last summer the Reverend Angel Armando Perez was accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy during an overnight stay, and when the boy escaped the good reverend’s home, Perez, wearing just his underwear, chased him down the street. The boy ran into the yard of James Curths who called the police and the boy’s family.
Perez was arrested, charged with first-degree sexual abuse, driving intoxicated and furnishing alcohol to a minor, and this week he accepted a plea agreement and will spend the next six years in prison. The additional charges of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct and tampering with evidence were dismissed. He must also register as a sex offender. In addition, Perez, who has a green card for legal residence as a minister of religion, could face deportation to Mexico, though it remains unclear if this will happen.
So, it seems like justice was served, no? I mean, the family of the boy seems happy with the verdict; they feel it was just. But, um, that bastion of pedophilia, the Catholic Church, which paid for Perez’ defense, has yet to decide whether or not they should fire the priest.
Yes, they’re investigating the story themselves before they make a decision on whether to fire a man who has accepted a plea agreement in the case where he tried to take nude pictures of a twelve-year-old boy that he’d gotten drunk in his apartment.
In a statement, the Archdiocese of Portland asked for prayers for the victim, his family and the parishioners at St. Luke as well as asking for prayers for Perez's family and friends. Prayers for forgiveness also were requested.
Forgive? Perhaps. Forget? How can we forget when it seems every other day a Catholic priest, or even a Cardinal, is arrested for molesting children. Rather than loan cash to pedophiles to mount a defense for their indefensible actions, why doesn’t the Catholic Church stand up for the children?
In that way, the Church continues the molestation.
0 comments:
Post a Comment