An arrest warrant has been issued for a priest for the alleged rape of a policeman?s wife in Port-of-Spain...
News Source: Trinidad Guardian
The priest is expected to appear before Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls today in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Court.
Sources said yesterday that members of the Criminal Investigations Department, Port-of-Spain, initiated a probe on the priest following a report by the policeman and his 38-year-old wife.
A source said the victim told investigators the priest attacked and raped her last Friday, in a room on Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain.
After she was criminally assaulted, the source said, the woman contacted her husband and told him about the ordeal.
The husband, a policeman for several years, took her to the CID, where she reported the matter.
The victim was taken to the District Medical Officer, who confirmed she was raped, the source said.
Investigators took a statement from the victim and later interviewed the priest.
The file on the matter was forwarded to senior police officers, who directed that the young priest be charged with rape.
Roman Catholic Archbishop Edward Gilbert could not be reached for a comment yesterday.
At 3.30 pm, his secretary said he was in a meeting and could not be disturbed.
She then directed all questions to Clyde Belgrave, acting Episcopal Delegate.
Belgrave said if criminal charges are laid against any priest, the law has to take its course.
He said, however, if the matter is brought to the attention of the Church by the person who filed the complaint, the Church will conduct an independent inquiry and deal with the alleged offender.
Originally published in The Trinidad Guardian on March 24 2004
