Kenyan Priest Arrested in Jamaica
A 39-year-old Kenyan cleric was on Tuesday, July 11, arrested by Jamaican law enforcement officers who accused him of four criminal offences.
According to the Jamaica Gleaner’s report, the priest, a parishioner at a Roman Catholic Church in Portmore, St Catherine, is accused of defilement. The police said that the accusations against the priest were made after a complainant identified him during an identification parade and this was also confirmed during a question-and-answer session with his lawyer.
The police further revealed that the alleged crimes had been committed on the afternoon of March 19, 2023, but were reported to the authorities on June 23, 2023. The victims who spoke to the police also claimed that the deacons had abducted them. The police refrained from divulging the name of the priest to protect his privacy and urged anyone who may have further details regarding the situation to come forward and help with the investigations. The officers also emphasised their determination to guarantee justice for all victims of sexual misdeeds.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston verified that the priest was quickly removed from all pastoral duties when the report came out. If convicted, the priest will be looking at a minimum of 15 years in prison and deportation from the country after he has finished serving his complete sentence.
