Second Old-Catholic Priest Suspended on Child Sex Abuse Charges

The Old Catholic Church has faced renewed scrutiny following the suspension of a second priest on child sex abuse charges. Bishop Dirk-Jan Schoon of the Haarlem diocese suspended the priest, who has been retired for 13 years, after allegations surfaced. The priest remains involved in celebrations at an Amsterdam parish and was occasionally called upon for emergencies, according to reports by NOS.

This follows the suspension of another Old Catholic priest, Nico S., who was arrested in Cambodia. Cambodian authorities discovered a significant number of nude photos of boys under 15 in his possession. It is believed that he paid the boys to pose naked for him. The Old Catholic Church admitted awareness of S.’s sexual preferences for young boys following his arrest.

A 58-year-old social worker from Amsterdam came forward with a report of abuse by another Old Catholic priest in 1973. The priest allegedly took nude photos of the boy and compelled him to perform sexual acts. The victim reported the abuse to the church and an independent complaints committee in 2014. The committee found the complaint well-grounded, yet the priest was not suspended. Instead, he was banned from working with young people.

The victim expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome but stated that Bishop Schoon persuaded him against pursuing legal action. The Church denies this claim, though the bishop acknowledged that more should have been done with the complaint. As a result, he decided to suspend the priest.

The case highlights ongoing challenges within the Old Catholic Church regarding accountability and the handling of abuse allegations. The suspension of these priests underscores the need for transparency and justice, reflecting the biblical call to pursue righteousness and care for the vulnerable. Proverbs 18:17 reminds us that justice is the foundation of a just society, urging all to seek truth and fairness in such matters.

Source: Read the original report