A Religious Order in Spain Report for the First Time One of Its Members for Child Abuse., Barcelona Reporter, May 6, 2010

A Religious Order in Spain Report for the First Time One of Its Members for Child Abuse.

Barcelona Reporter
May 6, 2010

http://www.barcelonareporter.com/index.php?/news/comments/a_religious_order_in_spain_report_for_the_first_time_one_of_its_members_for/0605100716am

The bishop's office for the diocese of Segorbe-Castellon in the Valencia region said the allegations involve a monk from the Barefoot Carmelites order.

A religious order in Spain report for the first time one of its members for child abuse.

Castellón Discalced Carmelites have moved to the Prosecutor of the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de la Comunitat Valenciana a complaint of abuse of a minor by a member of the order, "thus following closely the recommendations of the Catholic Church."

A statement from the Province of Discalced Carmelites of Aragon and Valencia made known to the prosecution of the case "does not imply any prejudice behaviour and is made with full respect for the presumption of innocence of persons and at the same time, with full respect for the victim of a criminal act.

According to ministry sources the complaint will be sent today to the provincial prosecutor of Castellón to handle the investigation because the allegations were allegedly committed in that community.

The note from the Carmelites clarifies that the order was made following "the recommendations of the Catholic Church through the motu proprio Sanctitatis Sacramentorum care and the Guide to understand the fundamental procedures of the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith in allegations of sexual abuse".

Discalced Carmelites advocate that the parties "resolve their conflicts peacefully and with respect for their privacy and with confidence in justice." The statement concludes with a "respectful appeal to people and the media to help maximize the care of peace and privacy of individuals."

The bishop of the diocese of Segorbe-Castellón, Casimiro Lopez, has described as "unacceptable in the Church and society" the case of alleged abuse and called for "forgiveness" for these acts. "A single case of abuse by a priest is unacceptable and is cause for deep sorrow for the victim, the priest's infidelity to his ministry" he remarked.