{"id":9862,"date":"2012-01-04T10:42:22","date_gmt":"2012-01-04T16:42:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/deaconsbench\/?p=9862"},"modified":"2016-09-30T17:34:56","modified_gmt":"2016-09-30T21:34:56","slug":"priest-accused-struggles-to-clear-his-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/deaconsbench\/2012\/01\/priest-accused-struggles-to-clear-his-name\/","title":{"rendered":"“Priest accused” struggles to clear his name"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

He was cleared of charges against him \u2014 but hasn\u2019t had much luck having his reputation cleared, as well.<\/p>\n

Details: <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2005, as the Catholic clergy sex abuse crisis continued to grab headlines all over America, even the St. Raphael-Holy Angels parish was not immune to scandal.<\/p>\n

One of their own priests was accused of improperly touching a young girl.<\/p>\n

Among parishioners, there was anger, confusion, despair. A tragedy playing out in communities across the country had now spread to a close-knit parish in Hamilton.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>But a curious thing happened: Instead of turning their backs on the accused, the Rev. James Selvaraj, parishioners rallied to his defense.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one ever questioned anything about it, they just knew this man and knew it was wrong,\u201d parishioner Frank Hamilton said. \u201cThe support and the people that came out \u2014 you\u2019re talking a whole church community behind him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Supporters signed petitions, phoned the Trenton diocese and had fundraisers for Selvaraj\u2019s legal defense.<\/p>\n

That was six years ago. Today, their faith in Selvaraj remains as unwavering as ever.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s support that Selvaraj, 51, has been forced to lean on since he was first accused in 2005 and stripped of his priestly faculties in the Diocese of Trenton. Without a job or income, he has depended on financial support from parishioners, who have raised tens of thousands of dollars for his legal and living expenses.<\/p>\n

A guest priest originally from India, Selvaraj was ordered back to his native country by then-Bishop John M. Smith. In a recent ruling the Vatican sided with the diocese, saying it handled Selvaraj\u2019s case properly. Priests are expected to defer to and obey the decisions of their bishop.<\/p>\n

Selvaraj has steadfastly refused to leave, though, and has spent the last six years on a crusade to clear the name and reputation he says was smeared.<\/p>\n

How can he move on to a new job or parish after being tarred as an abuser, a molester, he asks?<\/p>\n

\u201cFor nothing, I\u2019m being crucified and it\u2019s dragged on for six years,\u201d he said. \u201cIt bothers me very much. I gave my life to this church and they don\u2019t even have the conscience to restore my good name and dignity.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Read about the accusation and what happened here. <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

He was cleared of charges against him \u2014 but hasn\u2019t had much luck having his reputation cleared, as well. Details: In 2005, as the Catholic clergy sex abuse crisis continued to grab headlines all over America, even the St. Raphael-Holy Angels parish was not immune to scandal. One of their own priests was accused of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42,47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9862","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-priests","category-sex-abuse-crisis"],"yoast_head":"\n"Priest accused" struggles to clear his name<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"He was cleared of charges against him -- but hasn't had much luck having his reputation cleared, as well. 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