Dutch priest in sex abuse

16 April 2010 05:19 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Bishop Ad van Luyn of Rotterdam in the Netherlands has reported a Dutch priest to the police for alleged sexual abuse in Sri Lanka. Pending an investigation, the priest has been suspended with immediate effect by the Rotterdam diocese, which contacted the police following questions raised by Radio Netherlands Worldwide and daily newspaper NRC Handelsblad.

The priest, who until today was pastor in the towns of Leidschendam and Voorburg on the outskirts of The Hague, is a regular visitor to Sri Lanka where, according to the diocese he is "active in the field of charity".

A spokesman for the diocese said it was informed in July 2009 about "possible sexual abuse and possible financial misappropriations by this priest while in Sri Lanka". In an email to RNW, the spokesman stated that at that time the diocese ordered "a preliminary investigation," but that "so far its results proved unable to corroborate the accusations".

Following questions by RNW and NRC Handelsblad, Bishop Van Luyn has taken additional action. The priest is the fifth Roman Catholic clergyman who has been suspended because of an investigation into alleged sexual abuse. The Dutch embassy in Sri Lanka says it knows nothing about the case.

Information in the hands of RNW and NRC Handelsblad shows that the same priest was known to have had sexual relations with boys in the 1990s. At the time he was serving as a pastor in the former St Anthony parish in the city of Dordrecht. In 1995, he was reprimanded by Bishop Ad van Luyn because of his "lifestyle".

However, despite this he was then promoted to the post of Deacon of The Hague, where he remained for a couple of years. The diocese spokesman said that what happened in Dordrecht was "a possible failure to comply with the pledge of celibacy", and not sexual abuse. (Radio Netherlands)

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Comments - 10

Friday, 16 April 2010 06:52 PM

Ideal for the HELA URUMAYA to call for a ban on Christianity!

Friday, 16 April 2010 07:00 PM

This is very serious in nature - he escaped without even being caught in the eyes of our public; police; or, intelligence. This should be thoroughly investigated and those who assisted should be punished!

Friday, 16 April 2010 08:32 PM

Some of these people flock to poor countries on the pretext of religious activity because it is both easy to enter and appears legitimate; but, they have their own agendas.

Friday, 16 April 2010 10:15 PM

Before make wild comments, lets wait for the outcome of the investigation that is being conducted. He has been suspended & reported to the Dutch Police by his Bishop. .

Saturday, 17 April 2010 12:30 AM

Police & God cant see in the Dark !.

Saturday, 17 April 2010 02:47 AM

Oh, Boy.... no wonder, just as western politicians come over to Sri Lanka

Saturday, 17 April 2010 03:23 AM

Please do not create unnecessarry trouble.
Keep politics and religion seperately.
Use your brain if you have one.

Saturday, 17 April 2010 03:45 AM

To err is human.

Saturday, 17 April 2010 04:16 AM

This type of behaviour happens in all religions - especially in religions where the religious leaders are not permitted to marry.

Saturday, 17 April 2010 04:19 AM

It won't be long before the Bishop is re-instated, given the Pope's laxity in dealing with sex abuse by the Catholic Priests.

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Dutch priest in sex abuse

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