CSA Under Spotlight in Vancouver (Canada)

VANCOUVER -- A Roman Catholic priest charged with two sex offences involving young boys was first investigated by church authorities in 2005 and removed last September from all religious duties, the Archdiocese of Vancouver said yesterday.

Rev. Edwin Budiman, the former pastor of Guardian Angels Church in downtown Vancouver, was charged Wednesday with invitation to sexual touching and touching a young person for sexual purposes, the Vancouver Police Department said.

"Two young males, who were 14 years old at the time, were involved in the incidents between 2003 and 2007," a police press release said.

Father Budiman, who is also known as Tjeng Bei Yo, turned himself in, police spokesman Constable Howard Chow said, "after we advised him there was a warrant to be put out for his arrest."

Father Budiman, 64, was released on bail by a Provincial Court judge.

"He is in residence in a church situation temporarily, as required by the court, and he's under supervision," Monsignor Mark Hagemoen said in an interview. "A man, of course, is innocent until proven guilty, but he's on a church property that doesn't have a school and is waiting for further directives from the prosecutor."

Archbishop Raymond Roussin of the diocese said in a statement that the church is co-operating with police, and that when Catholic authorities learned in June of 2005, of "an allegation" against Father Budiman, they "took immediate action."

The church statement said Archbishop Roussin "launched an investigation, imposed restrictions regarding the priest's work with minors and made an immediate report to the Ministry of Children and Families.

"Following the Church's investigation, the archbishop removed Father Budiman as pastor of Guardian Angels Church, in September 2006. Since that date, Fr. Budiman has received no assignment for ministry of any kind. The second charge relates to an alleged incident that occurred after his removal."

Father Budiman was listed as a representative for his diocese at St. Patrick's Regional Secondary School until last year, but his role was administrative, school office manager Stephanie Blesch said. "He is not one of our priests that come in and work with the students."

Father Hagemoen said that Catholics have just recently heard news of the charges and have not had time to react. "The few things I've heard are disbelief and concern."


VANCOUVER ARCHBISHOP RAYMOND ROUSSIN COMMENTS ON CHARGES LAID AGAINST VANCOUVER PRIEST

In response to news that a priest in Vancouver has been charged with 2 criminal offences against two young persons, Archbishop Raymond Roussin said that he was very deeply saddened for everyone affected.

The Archbishop said that when he first heard an allegation against Father Edwin Budiman in June 2005, he took immediate action. Although the family did not wish to lay a criminal complaint, he launched an investigation, imposed restrictions regarding the priest’s work with minors and made an immediate report to the Ministry of Children and Families.

Following the Church’s investigation, the archbishop removed Father Budiman as pastor of Guardian Angels Church, in September 2006. Since that date, Fr. Budiman has received no assignment for ministry of any kind. The second charge relates to an alleged incident that occurred after his removal.

The archdiocese has cooperated fully with the police and is working to provide pastoral care for the alleged victims.

“This situation is tragic and hurtful in every respect,” Archbishop Roussin said. “My first thoughts and prayers go directly to the families affected. I think also of the parishioners of Guardian Angels Parish, who must feel devastated by this news.”

“I also pray for all priests, who may now have their integrity unfairly questioned. The ripple effect of an event like this can be hurtful to many beyond those directly involved.”

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