Catholic Cleric Alleged to Have Touched Boys
By Neal Hall and Douglas Todd
Vancouver Sun [Canada]
February 24, 2007
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=930782c4-eca8-4c60-8599-fe040ee6ae22&k=92002
Vancouver - A 64-year-old Vancouver priest charged with two sex offences involving teen boys had been involved in providing spiritual support for gay men and women in Vancouver's West End for many years.
Rev. Edwin Budiman, also known as Tjeng Bei Yo, has been released on bail after he was charged with two criminal counts of invitation to sexual touching and sexual touching of a young person.
Police said Friday the alleged incidents involved two 14-year-old males and occurred between 2003 and 2007.
Investigators want to speak with anyone who may have been in contact with Budiman or may have information that could assist the criminal investigation to call police at 604-717-2634 or contact Crime Stoppers.
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| Guardian Angels Catholic Church at 1161 Broughton in the West End. Photo by Steve Bosch/Vancouver Sun |
Police did not release the name of the church where Budiman served, but the website of the Guardian Angels Catholic church at 1161 Broughton St. in Vancouver's West End says Budiman served there for the past 13 years.
Vancouver Archbishop Raymond Roussin said he was deeply saddened for everyone affected.
"This situation is tragic and hurtful in every respect," Roussin said in a statement released Friday.
"My first thoughts and prayers go directly to the families affected. I think also of the parishioners of Guardian Angels parish who must feel devastated by this news. I also pray for all priests, who may now have their integrity unfairly questioned. The ripple effect of an event like this can be hurtful to many beyond those directly involved."
The archbishop said he took immediate action when he first heard an allegation made against Budiman in June 2005.
Although the family did not wish to lay a criminal complaint, the archbishop launched an investigation, imposed restrictions regarding the priest's work with minors and reported the matter to the Ministry of Children and Families.
Following the church's investigation, the archbishop removed Budiman as pastor of Guardian Angels Church in September 2006. Since that date, Budiman has received no assignment for ministry of any kind. The second charge relates to an alleged incident that occurred after his removal, the archbishop said.
The archdiocese has cooperated fully with the police and is working to provide pastoral care for the alleged victims.
The Guardian Angels parish website says Budiman was born in 1942 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and studied at Maryhurst Seminary in Baguio City, the Philippines, then at Maryhill Seminary in Taytay, Rizal, the Philippines.
He was ordained in Jakarta on June 5, 1973, went to Brazil from 1975 to 1993 and came to Vancouver in April 1993. He celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination with Guardian Angels parishioners in June 1998.
During his time at Guardian Angels, Budiman was known as being involved in a program called Courage: Pastoral Care for Homosexual Persons.
The objectives of the program are "to live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church's teaching on homosexuality," and to "foster a spirit of fellowship in which we may share with one another our thoughts and experiences, and so ensure that none of us will have to face the problems of homosexuality alone."
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