Diocese of San Carlos vows full cooperation in priest rape case

Diocese of San Carlos vows full cooperation in priest rape case

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 29) — The Diocese of San Carlos in Iloilo has vowed to fully cooperate with authorities following the arrest of Fr. Conrado Mantac for allegedly raping a minor.

“I sincerely convey my utmost assurance to fully cooperate with the civil authorities and to properly observe the legal process of our Judicial System for the truth to come out and for justice to be served accordingly,” San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said Tuesday in a statement.

“The Diocese would like to assure the alleged victim and her family of support and protection,” Alminaza said. “I deeply feel the suffering of the victim and her family and entrust her to the rightful agency which can provide proper care and assistance.”

According to reports, the 62-year-old priest was nabbed on Monday by authorities in Barangay Paraiso, Sagay City in Negros Occidental under the order of Sagay Regional Trial Court. Mantac was denied bail under criminal charges of raping a 17-year-old choir girl in 2022.

Alminaza said Mantac was suspended from doing his pastoral duties in the diocese while the investigation is ongoing.

“The church will also proceed with its own canonical process accordingly,” Alminaza said.

According to the Code of Canon Law, “a cleric who by force, threats or abuse of his authority commits an offense” or “forces someone to perform or submit to sexual acts ” will be punished “with just penalties, not excluding dismissal from the clerical state if the case so warrants.”

“I also take confidence with the words of Fr. Mantac that he will face the allegations filed against Him,” Alminaza said “We also recognized his right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty and thus support him in his efforts to establish his innocence in court.”