The diocese of Salt Lake City, Utah (United States), reported on July 31 that he considered “credible” several complaints of inappropriate sexual behavior filed against a priest born in Colombia, with alleged events that occurred in the 1990s.
A statement from the diocese He noted that in December he received complaints against Fr. Heriberto Mejía, a priest of the Diocese of Villavicencio in Colombia that served in Utah in the early 1990s.
Receive the main news of ACI Press by WhatsApp and Telegram
It is increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social networks. Subscribe to our free channels today:
The Diocese opened a formal investigation into the complaint, using an independent investigator who interviewed “numerous witnesses” related to the case. The diocese received the report in July.
After reviewing the report and following the recommendation of the Diocese Review Board, Bishop Oscar Solís “determined that the abuse complaint filed by the victim against Father Mejía is credible,” according to the statement.
The Diocese indicated that he offered advice to the victim and the members of his family, and that he would also share the complaints with the police authorities.
The Diocese of origin of Mejía in Colombia “will be informed of the result of this investigation,” said the American diocese; In addition, he indicated that he would notify the two Utah parishes in which Mejía served during his time in the state.
The report would also be presented to the papal nuncio in Washington, DC, according to the diocese, as well as the archbishop of Las Vegas, Mons. George Thomas. The diocese of Salt Lake is a vote of the archdiocese of Las Vegas.
Solís, in the press release, said that “apology with (the victim) for sexual abuse” inflicted by the priest.
“No one should experience such trauma, especially from a member of the clergy,” said the bishop. “Personally, I pray and wait for your complete healing, peace and that of your family.”
In its press release, the Diocese said Mejía “was permanently removed from the Ministry in the diocese” before leaving Utah in 1992.
The diocese did not immediately respond to a consultation made on Friday to obtain more information on the removal of ministerial privileges of Mejía in the diocese in the 1990s.
However, Salt Lake Tribune He reported this week that Mejía was withdrawn the powers in the diocese after a complaint of abuse in August 1991.
The newspaper said that Mejía was included in a list of priests with credible complaints in 2019.
The Tribune reported that the victim of Mejía, who had considered the priesthood, said he felt “isolated (e) insecure” for years after abuse and that the traumatic event led him to move away from the priesthood.
“I am sure that there are many victims like me who are still devoted Catholics with a complicated relationship with the Church because of this,” he told the newspaper, “that they did not lose faith for it and want to continue connected.”
Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published in CNA.
Daniel Payne
Daniel Payne is a senior editor of Catholic News Agency. He previously worked at College Fix and Just the News. He lives in Virginia with his family.