CBCP breaks silence on alleged rape case of Butuan priest

MANILA, Philippines – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday broke its silence on the accusations of rape against a priest in the Diocese of Butuan and slammed a news report claiming they were ignoring the case.

In a statement released Tuesday, CBCP President and Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said the 2011 report of GMA News Online claiming that the CBCP was tight-lipped on the alleged rape case against a priest is “misleading” and “deceptive.” He added that the priest will be subject to an investigation by civil authorities.

The CBCP released the statement after the 2011 rape case was revived by the supporters of presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte who earned negative criticisms from Villegas due to his remark about a rape victim.

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“Contrary to the misleading if not deceptive post of GMA News Online, the CBCP is not sealing its lips on the accusations of rape against a priest in the Diocese of Butuan. There is a newly promulgated set of guidelines in place that is being followed,” Villegas said.

“The Diocese will, as directed, see to the availability of the priest concerned for investigation by civil authorities,” he added.

Villegas stressed that the Butuan Diocese will conduct a canonical probe on the priest’s case and provide support for the victim.

“The diocese, and if necessary the CBCP, will offer the victim the therapeutic and psychological support she may need. But we must first give the bishop of the locality the chance to act as our present protocols to dictate,” Villegas said.