Fifteen underage girls and women are accusing Roman Catholic priest Juan Manuel de Jesus Mota (Father Johnny) of rape and abuse of trust in the mountain town of Constanza. Lawyer Juana Maria Castillo of the Ministry of Women heard the testimonies of six of the 15 alleged victims yesterday, Thursday 29 August. The accusers speak of being forced to take part in sexual orgies, as reported in El Caribe. Many of the women were 14 years old when the priest approached them. Three 20-year old women made their reports to the Santiago district attorney, while another two spoke in Constanza. A husband of one of the victims said he had witnessed her being constantly harassed by the priest.
One of the victims said that the priest gave her RD$5,000 when she graduated from high school but she did not accept it because she was already in a relationship with the man who is now her husband, but this did not discourage the priest from constant harassment.
As reported, the victims even include a mother and daughter.
A source from the judiciary told El Caribe journalists that an investigation is underway into how the priest built a RD$7 million home in Constanza.
Lawyer Juana Maria Castillo said that to explain the absence of the girls, the priest would often tell their parents that he had taken them to mass in Bonao and that the mass there had been suspended.
As reported, Father Johnny recently returned from vacationing in the US and had planned a special farewell mass at his Iglesia Catedra de San Pedro where he had been based for 12 years, but then suddenly disappeared.
El Caribe reports that while there is no arrest warrant, the Attorney General could issue an exit ban to prevent him from leaving the country.
Constanza attorney Fernando Quezada said he received notification on 13 August and that assistant prosecutor Roxana Reyes and La Vega Appeals Court attorney Victor Gonzalez are handling the case.
Quezada confirmed that the abuse had been happening since 2005. Father Johnny is from Cotui. Several parishioners defended the social work he carried out.
Other notorious cases where priests have been accused of sexual abuse include Father Alberto Cordero, accused by the parents of a minor in Bonao. The priest was released on bail.
Polish priest Wojciech (Alberto Gil) of the Juncalito parish is also being sought for abusing three minors, but he fled the country using a forged identity. His close friend, Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus Josef Wesolowski resigned on 21 August 2013.
www.elcaribe.com.do/2013/08/30/dicen-padre-johnny-obligaba-mujeres-practicar-orgias
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