ROME (ITALY)
Crux
May 2, 2019
A Catholic priest in the Ivory Coast has committed suicide after allegations he had abused an underage girl.
Father Richard Bilé served as the associate pastor at the St. Francis of Assisi parish in the village of Affiénou in the southwest of the country. He was found hanged on April 24 by the pastor of the church.
Bishop Raymond Ahoua of Grand-Bassam said the initial findings pointed to suicide, but the police are still continuing their investigation and the diocese is awaiting their determination of the exact cause of death.
The priest’s death came barely a week after Ahoua received a complaint that Bilé had sexually abused a young girl. The local press reported the girl was in the sixth grade.
“Appropriate decisions relating to the matter were taken awaiting the conclusion of Holy Week,” said Father Lambert Lath Yedo, the diocesan spokesman.
Yedo said the process was underway when the diocese learned of the death of Bilé. Local media reported the priest had been suspended from celebrating Mass until the allegations had been fully investigated.
“After learning about the death, Bishop Raymond Ahoua, overwhelmed by sorrow, calls on all and sundry to remain calm,” the spokesman said.
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