Diocese of Zamora investigates priest over alleged abuse of minors

The Diocese of Zamora, in northwestern Spain, has issued a statement announcing the opening of a canonical procedure over an accusation of sexual abuse against one of its priests. According to the testimony gathered, the alleged events took place when the complainants were minors.

The bishop of Zamora, Fernando Valera, ordered a preliminary canonical investigation to establish the facts. During that stage the diocese collected testimony and the documentation needed to assess the case.

Once the preliminary investigation was complete, the diocese sent the file to the Holy See's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the body responsible for cases of this kind. After examining the case, the dicastery ordered the opening of a canonical procedure to establish the facts.

Cooperation with civil authorities

The diocese said it has reported the allegations to the competent civil authorities and is ready to cooperate fully with them in whatever way is needed. Within the Church, it has imposed several precautionary measures on the priest: temporary removal from his duties as pastor, temporary suspension from the public exercise of his ministry and a ban on taking part in any activity involving minors.

The measures are preventive and do not imply any judgment on the outcome of the proceedings under way.

Commitment to the protection of minors

The diocese repeated its commitment to protecting minors and vulnerable people, and said it intends to establish the facts in any case that may arise in this area, working with the competent civil and Church authorities.

It also said it is willing to listen to, welcome and support those involved, and asked for prudence while the proceedings run their course. They must be carried out with full guarantees for the complainants and with due respect for the accused priest's presumption of innocence.