“Truth will set you free”: Catholic Bishop in CAR Denies Complicity in Anonymous Sexual Abuse Case, Urges Reconciliation

He continues, “I declare that both I and the Catholic Church are firmly opposed to all forms of sexual abuse, and that we have always denounced such acts with clarity and rigor.”

“The truth will set you free and peace will be possible if everyone does their part,” he says.

According to the Bishop, the anonymous accusation was taken seriously and handled with both prudence and care for all involved. 

He says that the Priest in the alleged abuse was removed from his assigned Parish “as a precautionary measure to protect the potentially affected person.”

Bishop Molina further details the steps taken to support the alleged victim, including medical and psychological assistance. 

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“Immediately, Fr. Mokopame was given the sum of 100,000 FCFA (US$ 177) so that the alleged victim could be examined by a gynecologist. The medical certificate concluded that no physical evidence of violence was found. Additionally, a psychologist was made available to both the alleged victim and the accused Priest,” the Catholic Church leader says.

Bishop Molina further explains that a canonical investigation was conducted in two stages, initially by Fr. Mokopame, and then under the supervision of a delegate from the Episcopal Conference. 

“In January, the case was submitted to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican,” he says.

The Local Ordinary of Mbaïk confirms that civil authorities were informed of the accusation on January 16, and a copy of the canonical investigation was handed over upon their request. 

“The judiciary conducted its own investigation and initiated the necessary procedures,” the Catholic Bishop further recounts.

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, according to the Bishop, responded on April 16 that it lacked jurisdiction over the case. 

“It was not a matter of pedophilia, the alleged victim being a 23-year-old adult,” the Bishop quoted the Dicastery as saying.

He also denies allegations that he helped the accused Priest flee the country, saying, “The accusation that I, as Bishop, helped the accused Priest flee the country is false. It was the accused Priest who made that decision after his lawyer informed him that he was free to enter and leave the country. I was not consulted on the matter, nor did I authorize it. I only became aware of it once the Priest had already returned to Spain.”

Bishop Molina disclosed that the accused Priest had filed a complaint against him with the Dicastery for Evangelization, “For having forwarded the file to the civil authorities — despite it not being a case involving a minor.”

“Fr. Alain le Patrick MOKOPAME accuses me of complicity with the accused Priest, but the above details clearly demonstrate that this does not reflect reality,” he says.

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Calling for peace and healing, the Bishop expresses his willingness for dialogue, saying, “I renew my openness to reconciliation and dialogue, provided that all parties sincerely commit to rebuilding communion, avoiding all forms of defamation, misinterpretation, or manipulation of facts.”

He urges the diocesan community to stay united in prayer and trust.  “May the Lord forgive our sins and those of those who have offended us. May He heal this wound inflicted on the Body of Christ, which is the Church. May He grant us His peace so that we may continue to proclaim the Gospel,” he implores.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.