Granger Reeling from Priest Issue
By John Fannin
Area residents are still in shock over a local priest’s dismissal following allegations of sexual abuse. #The Rev. Gustavo Gomez Santos, 51, served Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, 604 E. Ave., and offered Spanish-language mass in Mabton. He was removed from ministry in the Roman Catholic Church, Yakima Diocese. #Bishop Joseph Tyson said the action was taken because the allegation of sexual abuse of a minor “… was determined to be credible,” Tyson said. #“The whole situation is bad for the victims, the priest, the whole church,” said Al Ramos, who attends mass in Zillah. “It’s bad for everybody.” #Gomez Santos was placed on leave May 5 after Yakima County Sheriff’s Office detectives shared an interview with a 21-year-old former Mattawa resident who reported he had been fondled by the priest five or six years earlier, while the priest was serving as pastor of St. #Juan Diego Parish in Cowiche, Tyson said. #Sheriff’s officials determined the incident could not be prosecuted due to the statute of limitations, prompting the Diocese investigation, he said. #As a result, Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney Joe Brusic said Tuesday’s announcement by the diocese came as a surprise. #“I know nothing of this currently and I have not been contacted before about this possible investigation,” Brusic said. #Although criminal charges won’t apparently be pursued against Gomez Santos, who has maintained his innocence, some in town are glad the Diocese took action. #“It’s a good thing he’s gone,” Brian Ortiz said. “Hell has no boundaries.” #Hector Flores is still trying to make sense of it all. #“It’s weird,” the Parker resident said. “I was in that church once for a quinceanera.” #Father Tomas Vidal, associate priest in Grandview, will be parochial vicar full-time to Granger and Mabton starting July 1. #The Catholic church’s sexual abuse hotline is 888-276-4490.
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