Report: Priest pretended to notify police after boy found hidden camera

By Rachael Rafanelli
KGW
July 8, 2015

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/2015/07/08/report-priest-pretended-to-notify-police-after-hidden-camera-found/29878273/

St Francis Church in Sherwood.

SHERWOOD, Ore. -- New information obtained by KGW News partner The Oregonian revealed a Sherwood priest failed for 24 days to report a hidden camera to police. Instead, documents said, he lied to parishioners that he notified police.

Record show Father Ysrael Bien of St. Francis Church said he put the device in a drawer at the church. Records show when he went back to get it later, it was gone. He said he didn't contact police because he didn't want to get in trouble for losing the device. But according to The Oregonian, records also show police believe Father Bien is either responsible for the camera, or is covering for the person who is responsible.

Back in April, A 15-year old boy found the hidden camera in the bathroom. It was disguised as an electrical outlet. He told the Father Bien, who said he would contact police.

But court records show that never happened. Over the weeks, the family repeatedly asked the priest for an update in the investigation, and documents show he repeatedly lied, even posting on Facebook that the investigation was over.

It was revealed later, he never went to police in the first place. The case is in the hands of the Washington County District Attorney's office.

Father Bien is on leave from St. Francis. He has not been charged with any crimes.