Controversial Belgian priest Pedro Ruquoy, who has been at the center of a debate for his defense of the Haitian community and for having registered two children of Haitian origin as his own, has left the country following a decision by his religious superiors, as reported in Listin Diario. He stated that he had not been under any pressure to leave, although he had complained to the judicial authorities that he had received death threats. He said he received guarantees for his life from Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito, whom he called “a great gentleman” and criticized the attitude of Interior and Police Minister Franklin Almeyda, whom he said had treated him “like a dog”. Ruquoy has served as a priest in several DR communities over the past 30 years, mainly in Tamayo, Barahona.
Diario Libre reports that according to the priest’s lawyer Romero Reyes, he was leaving because the Dominican authorities could not guarantee his physical security. Ruquoy stated that he was leaving the country to avoid being the victim of powerful figures in the sugar industry who opposed his struggle against the human trafficking that goes on across the border with Haiti. Ruquoy left on Iberia flight 6500 to Madrid, Spain, where he will take another flight to Brussels, using a one-way ticket. He said that Almeyda “had no human sensitivity” and warned that Amnesty International has been following his case since he started working on behalf of poor people in the DR.
El Caribe reports that Interior and Police Minister Franklin Almeyda says he does not feel guilty about the priest’s departure. “He is being withdrawn by his order. He said he felt threatened, but he has acted in this territory freely”, said the Minister. He added that the government does not have any interest in disturbing any foreign priest that is giving pastoral services in this country.
Clave Digital indicates that Ruquoy’s order is the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and that it considers that his life is in danger in the DR. He arrived at Las Americas Airport with his superior, Roman Moujon, who made sure that the priest did not speak to the press. Roquoy, who is 53 years old, left for Charleroi, Belgium, where he will take a three-month vacation, following which he will be transferred to either Cameroon or Indonesia, where his new pastoral duties will be as a theology teacher in a Catholic educational center.