OREGON
The Oregonian
on August 27, 2015
Police and church leaders have neither seen nor heard from the Rev. Ysrael Bien since a judge signed a warrant for his arrest last week.
The reality that the priest may not return from the Philippines leaves the criminal investigation unfinished and his Sherwood congregation without a chance to face the man they once admired.
“I don’t ever expect to see him again, but I think in his heart of hearts he knows how many people he’s hurt,” said parishioner Peter Hainley. “Owning it would be a really good step toward helping people heal.”
Bien was the beloved pastor of St. Francis Catholic Church. He was trusted, even considered charmingly innocent.
Now, he’s AWOL.
Bien, 34, is accused of hiding a camera in a bathroom at the church.
He left the country without permission shortly after Archbishop Alexander Sample put him on administrative leave in June, according to the archdiocese. He declined when the archbishop instructed him to return, then he stopped responding altogether. Sample has not heard from Bien since early August.
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