CALIFORNIA
Bakersfield Californian
By Jose Gaspar
The priest approached the podium as he does every Sunday ready to give a sermon. Except this time he did not. With a somber look and holding a document in his hand, the priest said, “Instead of a homily, I’ve been asked by the bishop to read this letter.” I perked up a little bit, wondering what the message might be. In a serious tone, the priest began to read the letter.
“Dear people of God, it is with great sorrow that I inform you that Father Robert Gamel was placed on administrative leave on August 15, 2014, after the Diocese of Fresno received a complaint from the parent of a teenage youth.”
What? Where was this heading, I thought as my wife slightly poked me in my ribs to see if I was paying attention. I confess my mind wanders at church sometimes. But this time, I was focused.
The priest continued, “Any allegation of abuse involving a member of the clergy with a minor is a serious matter.”
The letter by Bishop Armando X. Ochoa of the Diocese of Fresno said the diocese contacted police who then began an investigation into the complaint. A copy of the letter was inserted into the weekly church bulletin.
Here is what is known so far: 64-year-old Father Robert Gamel of St. Joseph Parish in Los Banos is under investigation for allegedly having child pornography on his computer.
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