Archbishop of Ayacucho, Peru, suspends priest accused of sexually abusing former seminarian

Bishop Salvador Piñeiro, Archbishop of Ayacucho and president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, has suspended Father Luis Alejandro Bazalar García from his priestly duties. The priest is accused of sexually abusing a former seminarian who was 17 years old at the time. The case is being investigated by the Public Ministry.

The allegation was brought to the authorities a few days before the archbishop’s statement. Magaly de la Cruz Roca, an aunt of the alleged victim, filed the denunciation. The alleged victim had been formed at the Conciliar Seminary San Cristóbal de Huamanga. According to a report in the newspaper El Comercio, Father Bazalar García said he would collaborate with the investigations.

The archbishop stated that he learned of the case on October 31 and is willing to cooperate fully with the justice system. In a statement released on November 5, 2013, he said that, given the seriousness of the denunciation and the need to protect the dignity of those involved in the investigation, a disciplinary criminal process had been opened in the Curia Arzobispal against Father Bazalar García. The priest was suspended from his priestly functions “until the end of the due civil and ecclesiastical process,” the statement said. Protecting the vulnerable and honoring the process owed to all parties reflects the weight of this decision (Proverbs 31:8-9).

The source material does not report any criminal charge, plea, conviction, or civil lawsuit in the case. The matter remains an allegation under investigation, and the priest’s suspension is described as lasting until the conclusion of the civil and ecclesiastical proceedings.

In the statement, Bishop Piñeiro asked for prayer for the priests of the archdiocese, that “we grow in holiness,” and he expressed his closeness to those affected, saying they “will find my welcome and guidance.”

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)