BishopAccountability.org
	Seares: Clearing Fr. Ben By Pachico A. Seares Sun.Star October 5, 2007 http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2007/10/05/oped/pachico.a..seares.news.sense.html CEBU City prosecutors have found "no probable cause" against Fr. Benedicto Ejares on all complaints of sexual abuse against him: seven acts of lasciviousness and one count each for child abuse and sexual harassment. Fr. Ben's conduct, in touching parts of female students' anatomy while hearing their confession at Abellana National School, was improper but not criminal, the fiscals ruled. An alleged criminal act must have all the essential elements of the crime or the case sinks. OK, fine. But troubling are some of the things said in the decision. First is the implied claim that one cannot be lewd at a public place. If you fondle a woman or a man inside a packed jeepney, it's not sex-driven and not a sex crime. What comfort that must give to roaming perverts. Second, a priest touching a woman's shoulder or arm and toying with her bra strap while hearing confession are just "a matter of routine or habit." I don't think that's what Sacraments 101 teaches. 'Private parts' Besides, the fiscals said, the areas touched are "not even private parts." The fiscals must know that sexual urge may be directed at body parts other than those classified as private. They don't? Third and most disturbing is the line that said the Catholic priest is alter ego of Jesus Christ and thus, impliedly, can do no wrong while hearing confession. Many priests will squirm over that. Not that the state of holiness isn't true and can't be achieved. What sucks is it's being there all the time during the sacrament, even when the priest is seized with impure thoughts that he expresses in overt acts. Freaking unbelievable.
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