SANTO DOMINGO (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
BNN [Dominican Republic]
February 16, 2024
By BNN correspondents
Ramón Benito Ángeles Fernández, a respected bishop in Santo Domingo, faces a Vatican investigation due to a 1994 sexual abuse allegation involving a 14-year-old victim. The church’s response and the Vatican’s investigation will shape the narrative of accountability within the Catholic community.
In the heart of Santo Domingo, a story unfolds that intertwines faith, power, and the vulnerability of innocence. Ramón Benito Ángeles Fernández, an esteemed auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, finds himself at the epicenter of a Vatican investigation following grave allegations. At the core of this inquiry is an accusation dating back to 1994, involving a 14-year-old victim who claims to have been sexually assaulted by Fernández at the Seminario Menor de La Vega in the Dominican Republic. Despite these serious allegations surfacing in 2018, Fernández’s ecclesiastical career advanced when he was appointed as an auxiliary bishop in August 2017.
The Allegations Surface
The accusations against Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Benito Ángeles Fernández have sent ripples through the Catholic community, both locally and internationally. According to the victim, the abuse occurred when Fernández was a vicerrector at the Seminario Menor de La Vega. The revelation came to light when the victim, bearing the weight of the experience for years, confided in a trusted priest. This priest took the courageous step of informing the Nunciature, thus setting the stage for a Vatican intervention. Despite efforts by Ángeles Fernández to reconcile, including a trip to New York with the Archbishop of Santo Domingo for a meeting aimed at seeking forgiveness, the shadow of the allegations persisted.
A Church in Crisis
The response from the church’s hierarchy to the allegations against Fernández has been marked by a notable lack of decisive action. Archbishop Francisco Ozoria Acosta of Santo Domingo, along with other high-ranking officials including the Apostolic Nuncio in the Dominican Republic and the Bishop Emeritus of Baní, were reportedly aware of the situation. Yet, as of 2018, no disciplinary measures have been taken against Fernández. This inaction raises questions about the church’s commitment to accountability and justice, particularly when those in positions of power are accused of exploiting their authority for abuse.
The Vatican’s Role and the Path Forward
The Vatican’s involvement in the investigation signifies the gravity of the accusations and the global church’s stance against clerical sexual abuse. The case against Fernández is being examined by various Roman Dicasteries, highlighting the complex interplay of ecclesiastical law, diplomacy, and the imperative for moral rectitude within the church’s ranks. The investigation not only seeks to uncover the truth behind the allegations but also serves as a litmus test for the Vatican’s resolve in addressing sexual misconduct within its clergy.
As this story unfolds, it casts a long shadow over the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo and the broader Catholic community. The allegations against Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Benito Ángeles Fernández are a stark reminder of the enduring scars left by clerical abuse and the strenuous journey towards healing and justice for the victims. The church’s response to such allegations, coupled with the Vatican’s investigatory proceedings, will undoubtedly shape the narrative of accountability and reform within one of the world’s oldest religious institutions. With the eyes of the faithful and the world at large watching closely, the outcome of this investigation may well define the path forward for a church at a crossroads.