The fact that no criminal charges will be filed against a Deltona Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing a man doesn't surprise the national director of a support group for victims of abuse by the clergy.David Clohessy, director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said there was so much secrecy surrounding the case that it makes sense the State Attorney Office didn't have enough evidence to charge the Rev. Carlos Bedoya and a seminarian, David Estrada.
"We are disappointed, especially because no church leader has acted responsible and prodded victims and witness to call the police," Clohessy said.
Bedoya, a former pastor of St. Clare Catholic Church, was under investigation since October.
He was removed from his post and placed on administrative leave from duties in the local diocese.
Volusia County sheriff's investigators forwarded a complaint in December to the State Attorney's Office.
According to the sheriff's report, Bedoya was accused of helping Estrada commit a sex act on a 35-year-old man at the priest's home, which was on church grounds.
State Attorney spokeswoman Linda Pruitt said Thursday prosecutors decided not to pursue charges against Estrada or Bedoya because of insufficient evidence.
Diocese of Orlando spokeswoman Carol Brinati, in an e-mail reply, said Bishop Thomas Wenski is preparing a letter to be read to the parishioners of St. Clare at Sunday Masses.
She added that the diocese had no comment to offer the media.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce