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	Visiting Priest Arrested on Sexual Assault Charges By Alicia A. Caldwell Houston Chronicle September 13, 2007 http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5132499.html El Paso, Texas — A Catholic priest from Uganda has been arrested on charges accusing him of sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman, El Paso police said Thursday. The Rev. Philip Taban, a visiting priest from Arua, Uganda, was arrested Wednesday on two counts of sexual assault. Officer Christopher Mears, a police spokesman, said Taban was accused of twice sexually assaulting the woman, who had sought spiritual counseling. The assaults allegedly took place at a parochial house where Taban was staying, Mears said. Mears said the assaults took place on two different occasions, though jail booking records show he is accused of committing both assaults Sept. 3. "Whenever someone uses their position to take advantage of someone that is vulnerable, that is concerning to us," Mears said. Father John Stowe, moderator of the curia for the El Paso Diocese, said Taban had been working with the Mother Cabrini parish since June 29. But his permission to serve as a priest in the diocese was suspended on Sept. 7, after the abuse allegations were reported, Stowe said. Stowe said El Paso church officials are not aware of any previous allegations against Taban. "His bishop in Uganda gave us a statement that he has not had any allegations against him, something that we require of any priest coming into the diocese," Stowe said. Before Taban's arrival, church officials also conducted a criminal history background check, also a customary procedure, Stowe said. "We basically take the testimony of the bishop when someone is coming from out of the country," Stowe said. "We do a background check, but it is generally not all that effective when someone is coming from out of the country." Stowe said church leaders in the parish where Taban was working have informed the congregation about the charges and asked anyone else who may be a victim to come forward. They are also trying to reach Taban's bishop in Uganda, Stowe said. El Paso Bishop Armando Ochoa has also met with churchgoers regarding the allegations, Stowe said. "He is very saddened by the allegations and insists that we cooperate," Stowe said. Ochoa is in Washington, D.C., this week for a previously scheduled meeting. The charges come as Catholic officials around the country continue to respond to allegations of decades of sexual abuse at the hands of priests. "It's very concerning," Stowe said. "We are working very had to restore people's trust in the church and we thought we were taking all necessary precautions. It is important to recognize that it's only an allegation, but it does concern us." Taban remained jailed Wednesday on $50,000 bond. It was unclear when he would make his first appearance in court of if he had an attorney.
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