A Colombian Catholic priest was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison Friday for sexually abusing a 13-year-old altar boy, according to Noticias Colombia.
The court also ordered the priest, Albarracin Jose Virgilio from Cucuta, in the North Santander Department, to pay $13,000 and banned him from holding any public office for six years and ten months.
Cucuta Bishop Jaime Prieto Amaya issued a statement urging the country’s citizens to assist in ending the abuse of minors.
“We ask that the public cooperate fully with the law and collaborate with authorities in clearing up the types of behavior which mistreat the community, especially minors,” said the bishop.
Amaya added that the disgraced priest would “accept and respect the decision of the justice system.”
The Catholic Church has come under heavy fire recently for sexual abuse allegations in Europe and the U.S.
