Colombian Priest Arrested in Calif. for Suspicion of Child Molestation and Sexual Battery

By David Knowles
New York Daily News
March 12, 2013

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/priest-arrested-suspicion-child-molestation-article-1.1286412

Julio Guarin-Sosa, a priest from Colombia, was arrested on suspicion of child molestation and sexual battery in Yuba City, Calif.

The arrest comes as yet another reminder of what is at stake.

As Catholic cardinals begin the secretive process of selecting the next Pope who will have to deal with the legacy of child sex scandals that have rocked the church in recent years, another priest stands accused of child molestation.

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The Rev. Julio Guarin-Sosa was arrested on suspicion of child molestation in Yuba City, Calif.

The priest, who is visiting the United States from Colombia, is being held at Sutter County Jail and is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday. He will also be charged with sexual battery, the Sacramento Bee reported.

As a result of his arrest, the Diocese of Stockton has now revoked Guarin-Sosa’s permission to exercise ministry and have notified church officials in Colombia.

The alleged molestation took place in Yuba City, police said. Guarin-Sosa had been visiting St. Anne's parish in Lodi, the Stockton diocese said in a press release.

A series of sex scandals, including the coverup of the number of documented pedophile priests in the church, came to taint the relatively brief tenure of Pope Benedict.

Contact: DKnowles@nydailynews.com