A Dutch criminal investigation is
underway to see whether there is enough evidence to prosecute the
retired Dutch Roman Catholic bishop, Cor S, for the sexual abuse of an
underage boy in Kenya 25 years ago.
The Dutch investigation follows a report by the Deetman Commission
which has been probing abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in the
Netherlands.
The commission alerted the Dutch authorities to the
matter.
The case is complicated by the fact that the victim lives in
Kenya and has not reported the matter to the Dutch police.
Bishop S, who now lives in Oosterbeek in the Netherlands, is refusing
to speak to the media.
His lawyer has told Radio Netherlands Worldwide
that his client denies all the allegations.
Injuries
The case came to light in 2005 when alleged victim Michael ole Uka, now
32, had to be treated for injuries said to be the result of the abuse.
Mr Uka says he was abused by various priests over a long period and that
he was first abused by Bishop S in 1993.
The alleged abusers are members of the Mill Hill Missionaries (St.
Joseph's Society for Foreign Missions).
The order paid for Mr Uka’s
medical treatment and took action against the suspected abusers.
However, the matter was not reported to local police because
homosexuality “is still a crime in Kenya”.
The case was reported to the authorities in the Vatican. However,
only after repeated requests did Rome force the bishop into retirement.
*Dutch media do not publish the last names of criminal suspects