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	Deltona Priest Accused in Sexual Battery By Sara Kiesler Daytona Beach News [Deltona FL] January 16, 2007 http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Headlines/frtHEAD01011607.htm Deltona -- A shock wave is rippling through the close-knit Deltona family at St. Clare Catholic Church in the wake of a complaint that its pastor participated in sexual battery against a man. According to a complaint filed with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, the Rev. Carlos Bedoya, 44, invited a 35-year-old man to his home on church grounds to have lunch and "cocktails." He proceeded to restrain the man while David Estrada, a 24-year-old priest-in-training, performed an oral sex act on the man, the complaint states. Bedoya has not performed services at the church since late last year, according to parishioners. No one has been arrested or charged, said Sheriff's Office spokesman Gary Davidson. The State Attorney's Office is reviewing the case. Gareth Felix, a member of St. Clare, said she finds it hard to believe that a man like Bedoya who works so well with children and brought the community together could have participated in such an act. Bedoya spoke English and Spanish, and also organized a Creole-language Mass for Felix and the rest of the Deltona Haitian community. "We are all so heartbroken," said Felix. "I can't get over it. When things like that happen it takes a lot of love and unity to keep us together." The man who says he was abused filed his complaint with the Sheriff's Office on Oct. 17. He said the battery took place Oct. 4. Current parish administrator the Rev. Ybain Ramirez wrote in a Dec. 10 bulletin to St. Clare's parishioners, "I know you are asking when will (Father) Carlos return. I ask the same question, and I do not know the answer. Just know that I am here to serve you and care for you and love you." Reached at the church grounds Monday, Ramirez said, "everything is OK" at St. Clare. "(The parishioners) miss Father Carlos," he said. The Diocese of Orlando was unavailable for comment because of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Bedoya's biography on the church's Web site states he has been a priest in Central Florida since December 1990. He served in Orlando, Melbourne and Apopka before arriving at St. Clare in 2005. E-mail: sara.kiesler@news-jrnl.com
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