The Diocese Reported Him, California Catholic Daily, December 5, 2011

The Diocese Reported Him

California Catholic Daily
December 5, 2011

http://www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=7a351b9b-8702-4f3c-b192-6b84de2782ce

A Sacramento diocesan priest remains jailed under $5 million bail on seven counts of child molestation following his Nov. 30 surrender to police.

Fr. Uriel Ojeda, 32, has been charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a minor stemming from an alleged sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl between 2007 and 2009. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges tomorrow in Sacramento County Superior Court.

At the time of his arrest, Fr. Ojeda was serving as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Redding.

Sacramento Bishop Jaime Soto said at a Dec. 1 press conference held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center that Fr. Ojeda has been placed on administrative leave, "meaning that he may perform none of the duties of an ordained Catholic priest."

The diocese played a central role in Fr. Ojeda's arrest. "The charges stem from a complaint received by the diocese on Tuesday, Nov. 29, which the diocese subsequently reported to Sacramento County Child Protective Services and the Sacramento Police Department," the diocese announced in a statement. "The diocese also cooperated closely with the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office."

"I have personally spoken to the family involved," Bishop Soto said at the press conference. "They are in great pain. They have been very brave in bringing this forward. We will do everything we can to make sure they get the help they need. I admire the courage with which they have come forward to bring this to my attention so that we can bring this to the attention of authorities."

"Protecting young people remains our number one priority," the bishop continued. "I am very grateful for the rapid and timely help and support we received from the Sacramento Police and the District Attorney's Office."

On orders from Bishop Soto, announcements were made over the weekend of Dec. 3-4 at parishes where Fr. Ojeda had previously served "in an effort to encourage other possible victims to step forward," according to the diocesan statement.

According to the diocese, Fr. Ojeda served as parochial vicar at Holy Rosary Parish in Woodland from August 2007 to July 2009, and as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Redding since July 2009.

"Bishop Soto said that anyone who believes they were a victim of Father Ojeda or has information about possible abuse needs to contact the Sacramento Police Department at (916) 264-5471," said the diocesan announcement.

Fr. Ojeda attended Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Ore., from 1998 to 2007, and was ordained to the priesthood in June 2007.