Official statement of Archdiocese of Tuguegarao following the arrest of a priest who abused a 16-year-old church volunteer
TUGUEGARAO ARCHDIOCESE – The Archdiocese of Tuguegarao has issued a statement in response to the arrest of a priest who abused a 16-year-old church volunteer.
It was just recently when authorities arrested Reverend Father Karole Reward Israel after being accused of abusing a 16-year-old girl who goes by the name “Anna”.
The suspect was only apprehended after Anna’s teacher assisted her in filing a complaint because the victim’s parents do not believe her.
In a statement, the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao said it will cooperate with the authorities in the investigation of the matter.
The priest will not be allowed to officiate a mass while the investigation is ongoing.
“He is meanwhile excused from the performance of his priestly obligations, except the obligation of prayer,” they said.
They also offered assistance for the victim in case the accusations against their priest were proven to be true.
The Archdiocese of Tuguegarao is hoping that its priests will not be influenced by their weakness and will act in the same manner as Israel.
“If it is established that there is in fact a victim, assistance will likewise be extended. Meanwhile we earnestly ask for prayers for all our priests who bear all the frailties that afflict us all,” Tuguegarao Archdiocese said.
Meanwhile, the suspect has been temporarily released after being granted bail.
The victim is unable to hide her rage because the person who abused her was temporarily freed.
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