AMERICA/VENEZUELA - Statement by the Bishop of San Cristobal concerning the priest killed

San Cristobal (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishop of San Cristobal, Mgr. Mario Moronta, published a second statement concerning the death of Fr. Jesus Manuel Rondon Molina, who went missing on January 16 and was found dead on January 21 (see Fides, 22/1/2020).
In the statement on 22 January, sent to Agenzia Fides, the Bishop states: "According to information provided by the authorities, the priest was killed by a minor, who had been victim of sexual abuse by the cleric, an action that we repudiate. We pray for him, for his mother and for his family who are going through a moment of pain and sadness".
The Bishop stresses that the norms of the universal Church have also been adopted in the diocese of San Cristóbal to deal with cases of abuse of minors by the clergy. In the case of Fr. Jesus Manuel Rondon Molina, "several complaints were made against him, and investigations were conducted and precautionary measures were taken ... Despite the multiple requests for attention, he disobeyed the orders and precautionary measures established in the law of the Church".
Mgr. Moronta writes that this fact "fills us with sadness and concern", asks the authorities "to clarify what happened without using this sad event for political or other purposes", recalls that the vast majority of priests generously dedicate themselves to the service of the population, "despite the difficulties and failures that some may have". "We feel the pain of the people of God who suffer from many causes and even more from the bad testimony of some - he concludes -. We share the pain of the victims of abuse ... Knowing that this pain is identified with that of Christ on the Cross". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 23/1/2020)

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