Constanza Shocked by Abuse Allegation

Dominican Today
August 30, 2013

http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2013/8/30/48799/Constanza-shocked-by-abuse-allegations


Santo Domingo.- Community members in Constanza are expressing shock and disbelief at the sexual abuse allegations against Father Juan Manuel Mota de Jesus (Johnny). The priest is being accused of seducing and raping 11 underage girls as well as women, after some of the victims filed accusations at the Santiago Prosecutor’s Office.

The the latest in a series of scandals affecting the religious authorities following a large number of pedophilia cases that have come to light in recent months.

A press conference was held at the offices of the Ministry for Women’s Affairs yesterday afternoon, where interim office coordinator Juana Maria Castillo confirmed that they had received three specific reports of rape of minors by the Catholic priest and chaplain who is originally from Cotui and has served as the parish priest for the last 11 years.

The official said that they had spent seven months investigating these accusations and that the case had entered a new phase since the public disclosure.

During the press conference, journalist Nereyda Felix said that the information had been made public due to the seriousness of the accusations and to prevent the cases from remaining unpunished, explaining that the influence exercised by the Catholic priest who has created a strong social base in this area led to fears that he might evade justice.