The Catholic Church asks for pardon for abuses committed by priests

SANTIAGO. The Archbishop of the Archdioceses of Santiago and Monsignor Antonio Camilo Gonzalez, the Bishop of La Vega, asked for pardon yesterday from the persons affected by alleged abuses committed by representatives of the Catholic Church.

"We ask for forgiveness from the persons affected, from their families, society and the people themselves for the times that with a bad example and the lack of a coherent testimony, as servants of Jesus Christ, we have offended," said the Archbishop in a brief communiqué.

At the same time they asked the Justice Department to continue the investigations of the cases reported "in order that the truth prevails and that action is taken in accordance with the dictates of the Law." "They have to investigate the incidents in which sons of the Church's family have been involved," noted the organism of the Dominican Catholic Church.

In the meantime, the Dominican Conference of Bishops in Santo Domingo will offer today a press conference which will "present information regarding the latest scandals in which some members of the Church have been involved."

On Wednesday the Catholic Church confirmed the firing of the Papal Nuncio Josef Wesolowski, due to "missteps" related to accusations of pederasty. Also, the priest Juan Manuel Mota de Jesus, "Father Johnny," was accused in Jarabacoa, La Vega, of raping young girls. In May, clergyman Wojciech Gil (Alberto) was accused of raping some 14 boys in a community of Santiago.

Attorney General announces an investigation of Nuncio

He revealed that a request for contempt of court against the priest was rejected

SANTO DOMINGO. The Attorney General of the Republic, Francisco Dominguez Brito, announced that an investigation was begun with regard to the scandal cause by the alleged practice of pederasty in the country by the fired Papal Nuncio, Josef Wesolowski.

During a press conference, he announced the appointment of the Deputy Attorney General Bolivar Sanchez as the head of the investigation.

"We have initiated the investigative process in order to determine responsibilities in accordance with the regulations of both national and international law, given his condition as a diplomat."

He warned that the citizenry can be sure that the Justice Department will not allow anyone to hide behind the well earned reputation of the Catholic Church or other religious institutions, in order to commit illegal acts and pretend to go unpunished.

"We will use all of the resources, process and legal moves necessary in order to have justice prevail."

He said that in relation to the priest in Constanza, he indicated that there is an investigation underway and they have completed the interviews of two plaintiffs.

Likewise, he said that the general prosecutor of the Court of La Vega, Victor Gonzalez, is responsible for that investigation. He revealed that a request to declare the priest Alberto Gil in contempt of court was rejected by a judge in Santiago. The idea was to create an order for an international arrest warrant.

He indicated that this rejection has been appealed by trying to get it revoked in the Penal Chamber of the Court of Appeals.

"We have had the backing and cooperation of the Catholic Church so that truth and justice prevail, which are the real keys for human coexistence."