Priest in Montes, Brazil, arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing 5-year-old girl

According to the report, a 5-year-old girl was taken to a psychologist after her parents, who were from a hometown the source identifies as Montes in Brazil, had declined to attend English classes. The source does not clearly explain the connection between the classes and the referral, and it does not describe the setting of the classes in further detail.

The psychologist asked the child to show what she had in her belongings for signs of sexual abuse. Among her possessions were six paintings. The report describes one as showing a man leaning over a girl, and another as showing a girl lying on a bed while a man forced himself between her legs. These descriptions come from the report’s account of the drawings and have not been tested in court.

The child’s father telephoned a 54-year-old priest. The father later told police that the priest had confessed to him about the actions, according to the report. This is the father’s account as reported to police. The report does not say whether the priest has responded to these claims.

Police arrested the priest and interrogated him on suspicion of sexual abuse of the child. The source does not report any formal charge, plea, or conviction. Because the allegations remain unproven, the priest should be presumed innocent unless and until a court rules otherwise. The case calls for protecting the vulnerable (Psalm 82:3), and the child’s account, the drawings, and the father’s statement to police are the central facts the report provides.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Hebrew)