Catholic Priest in Dominican Republic Ordered Held on Accusations He Raped 15-year-old Girl

Montreal Gazette
July 17, 2012

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Catholic+priest+Dominican+Republic+ordered+held+accusations+raped/6948435/story.html

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - A judge in the Dominican Republic has ruled there is enough evidence for authorities to hold a Roman Catholic priest while they investigate allegations that he raped a 15-year-old girl.

A police statement Tuesday says officers arrested Alberto Zacarias Cordero Liriano after the girl's mother accused the priest of repeatedly raping the teenager.

Hundreds of parishioners and several priests protested in front of the Justice Department building to show their support for Zacarias.

Defence attorney Frank Moreta tells local media that Zacarias is innocent and he accuses reporters of being sensationalist. Moreta says the Diocese of La Vega has temporarily suspended Zacarias but he remains a priest within the church.