Barricade tape for crime scene (Courtesy)

Police in Northern Bhar el Ghazal State have arrested a foreign Catholic Priest on accusations that he sexually assaulted two boys at his church in Aweil West County.

Police Spokesperson Captain Guot Guot Akol said the incident happened at Saint Theresa Parish on February 23, 2024.

Captain Akol said the police arrested the priest after receiving a call that a crowd of protestors stormed the Catholic Church in Nyamlel Payam and were fighting the suspect.

He said the Man of God has been charged with Sodomy, serious harm and rape of children, following a police investigation.

“On the 23rd of this month, we received a phone call that a group of citizens stormed the Nyamlel church. The police arrived at the scene and arrested the priest on charges of sodomy, serious harm, and rape of two children working in the church as alters boys,” he narrated.

He said the survivors identified as two altar boys aged 11 and 13 years old respectively, are receiving treatment at Awil Hospital.

“A criminal report was opened under Articles 248, 247, and 236 of the Penal Code of 2008, and the police are currently investigating. the victims now are receiving treatment.”

Abraham Kur Kuoldit, one of the elders of Nyamlel Catholic Parish, confirmed the arrest of the priest when contacted by Eye Radio.

Mr. Kur described the incident as shocking and encourages the public to stay calm and leave the issue in the hands of the law enforcement agencies.

“It is shocking news and misappropriate behavior done by this priest on 27^th of February 2024 when this priest named Clitus was caught by the brother of the boy who suspected him,” he said.

“The community stormed the church, but the police managed to control the situation and arrested the priest. I am advising the public to be patient and let the police do their work according to the law and not to harm him because he is already in prison.”

Mr. Kur said he believes it is not the first time that the priest has sexually abused children.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of Aweil West County Youth Association Peter Deng John calls on humanitarian agencies to provide psychological support to the survivor.

Deng also urged the government to relocate the boys and facilitate their studies.

“We are calling on the government the case should be handled by the combatant court case also the survivors require counselling they are young boys pursuing their studies since this case was discovered these boys were traumatized and stigmatized.”