Episcopal Church Suspends Priests for Alleged Raping a Minor

AllAfrica
January 7, 2016

http://allafrica.com/stories/201601070930.html

The Episcopal Church of Liberia has indefinitely suspended its priest assigned in Grand Kru County in connection with the alleged raping of a 10-year-old girl in the county.

In a release issued last evening from the Church, Archbishop Jonathan B.B. Hart said the church is shocked and dismayed about news report concerning the involvement of its priest in "this barbaric and heinous act."

Bishop Hart, who is also Archbishop of the International Province of West Africa, explained that the priest will remain suspended from all functions of the Episcopal Church of Liberia until he can exonerate himself in a court of law.

He keeping with Canon XXIX, Bishop Hart constituted 'The Ecclesiastical Court' made up of three priests of the Episcopal Diocese to further investigate the allegation levied against the priest.

Bishop Hart assured that the church would work with the Government of Liberia to bring the alleged perpetrator to justice and thereby bring relief to the child.

The Episcopal Bishop is calling on all Episcopalians to condemn this "savage act" and begin to speak out against violence against women and girls as well as join the fight to end such heinous crime in the country.

"It is only by speaking out and through our collective efforts will we be able to combat this menace that is eating up the fabric of our society and destroying our women and girls," Bishop Hart stressed.

He disclosed that the Episcopal Church supports the effort of the Government of Liberia and other partners to fight against violence against women and children.

Bishop Hart indicated that the Episcopal Church is currently implementing a gender-based violence program in Grand Cape and Rivercess counties, and noted the program targets faith leaders of both Christian and Muslim faiths to use the scriptures to teach their congregations about the need to prevent all forms of violence against women and girls as well as speak out against gender-based violence.

The Episcopal Church Bishop said he believes in gender equality and recognizes the rights of women and girls, and that such rights must be respected, regardless of gender or sex.

"The Episcopal Church of Liberia has a zero tolerance policy on all acts of violence against women and girls and will not support, neither condone nor tolerate such inhumane, merciless and heartless act from any of its spiritual heads," he noted.