News
Area priest accused of sexual misconduct
By CHRIS DABOVICH/Arizona Range News
Sexual allegations have been leveled against a priest at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Benson, the Diocese of Tucson has confirmed.
Paul Duckro, Diocese director of the Office of Child, Adolescent and Adult Protection, on Friday acknowledged an adult female parishioner accused the priest "Sometime last week. "
"What I can say without interfering with anything else going on is that we did have an allegation of sexual misconduct - it did not involve a minor, but we do take these things seriously," Duckro said, noting per Diocese policy, the incident has been turned over to law enforcement authorities for investigation.
Duckro asked for privacy citing the ongoing investigation, but did acknowledge the probe involved "Father Dominic," who had been visiting the parish from Africa.
Benson's San Pedro Valley News Sun received numerous calls from parishioners after they said Rev. Ray Ratzenberger, during a weekend Mass, made comments to the effect that would lead them to believe a visiting priest would be the subject of some scrutiny.
Duckro said he regretted if "accusatory remarks" had been made and asked that judgments be reserved pending the outcome of the investigation.
He said church officials have followed proper protocol instituted in the wake of the sexual-abuse scandal, which has rocked the Catholic church.
"When there is an allegation, we work immediately with law enforcement so that we get an independent assessment and we pursue the truth of the matter with fairness to everybody involved. I don't want to compromise people's privacy until the investigation is complete," Duckro said.
Questions to Our Lady of Lourdes were referred to the Diocese.
"Everybody on receipt of the allegation responded just the way we want," said Duckro, noting the incident went before Our Lady of Lourdes compliance officer Rick Valencia, who serves as a liaison between the church and law enforcement, Duckro said.
Parishioners continue contacting the newspaper calling into question the comments they heard during Mass. All, however, have declined to speak on the record.
The Sheriff's Dept. received the report on May 24, said department spokeswoman Carol Capas.
She said because the investigation is ongoing she was unable to provide specific details.
"There have been no charges filed and interviews are still being done," said Capas.
Paul Duckro, Diocese director of the Office of Child, Adolescent and Adult Protection, on Friday acknowledged an adult female parishioner accused the priest "Sometime last week. "
"What I can say without interfering with anything else going on is that we did have an allegation of sexual misconduct - it did not involve a minor, but we do take these things seriously," Duckro said, noting per Diocese policy, the incident has been turned over to law enforcement authorities for investigation.
Duckro asked for privacy citing the ongoing investigation, but did acknowledge the probe involved "Father Dominic," who had been visiting the parish from Africa.
Benson's San Pedro Valley News Sun received numerous calls from parishioners after they said Rev. Ray Ratzenberger, during a weekend Mass, made comments to the effect that would lead them to believe a visiting priest would be the subject of some scrutiny.
Duckro said he regretted if "accusatory remarks" had been made and asked that judgments be reserved pending the outcome of the investigation.
He said church officials have followed proper protocol instituted in the wake of the sexual-abuse scandal, which has rocked the Catholic church.
"When there is an allegation, we work immediately with law enforcement so that we get an independent assessment and we pursue the truth of the matter with fairness to everybody involved. I don't want to compromise people's privacy until the investigation is complete," Duckro said.
Questions to Our Lady of Lourdes were referred to the Diocese.
"Everybody on receipt of the allegation responded just the way we want," said Duckro, noting the incident went before Our Lady of Lourdes compliance officer Rick Valencia, who serves as a liaison between the church and law enforcement, Duckro said.
Parishioners continue contacting the newspaper calling into question the comments they heard during Mass. All, however, have declined to speak on the record.
The Sheriff's Dept. received the report on May 24, said department spokeswoman Carol Capas.
She said because the investigation is ongoing she was unable to provide specific details.
"There have been no charges filed and interviews are still being done," said Capas.
Copyright © 2012 - Arizona Range News