Prosecutors Launch Investigation into Alleged Abuse of Underage Monsao Priest

The State Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into a complaint filed by the Diocese of Viana do Castelo about an alleged case of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest from Monsan.

In a written response to a request for clarification sent by the Lusa agency, the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) states that the investigation launched is aimed at “investigating the practice of criminally significant facts and the relevant legal framework.”

On Monday, the Diocese of Viana do Castelo announced that it had “banned” a priest from Monsan from serving as priesthood after he confirmed a case of sexual abuse of a minor, according to the organization.

In a statement sent to the newsrooms, the Diocese of Viana do Castelo explained that the case arose from a “complaint” referred to “the competent civil and canonical authorities”.

According to the diocese, in refuting the evidence presented, the parish priest of several parishes of Monsan “confirmed the facts of which he is accused and announced his decision to resign from his duties.”

In the document, the diocese “shares the deep suffering of the victim and the family, and with great shame makes these facts public, and also wishes to express the greatest love and concern for the parish communities hitherto entrusted.” to the parish priest.

“In these specific circumstances, the Diocese of Viana do Castelo wants to strengthen the desire to be a safe environment and a space where silence can be given a voice, and also asks for all the efforts, courage, confidence and prayer of the diocesan community, at this time of particular pain,” reads the note.

So far, the priest has served in the parishes of Divino Salvador de Cambezes, Santa Maria de Abedim, Nossa Señora das Neves de Bela, São João Baptista de Longos Vales, São Juan -Baptista de Portela and San Miguel de Sago, and was also an assistant at the fraternal meetings in Monsana.