Ryan Dagur, Jakarta – The sex abuse trial of Richard Daschbach, a former priest and missionary from the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in Timor-Leste, has entered the final stage after a series of hearings ended last week.

Prosecutor Matias Soares confirmed to UCA News that the verdict will be read on Dec. 21 after the trial ended on Nov. 25.

The trial began in February at Oecussi District Court, 200 kilometers west of capital Dili, in what was recorded as the first case in the Catholic-majority country charging a clergyman with sex abuse in a civil court.

Daschbach was charged with molesting young girls and possessing child pornography, besides domestic violence, at Topu Honis, a shelter he founded in 1993 in Kutet, Oecusse. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

Soares declined to explain the sentencing charges against the former US-born priest "because it is the court's secret."

Meanwhile, a source close to the alleged victims hoped that Daschbach would get the maximum sentence given the impact on them.

"It has been nearly four years since victims brought the allegations of Daschbach's abuse to SVD officials. They have waited long enough for justice, and we anxiously await the reading of the verdict after this long, painful trial," the source told UCA News on Nov. 29.

"While nothing can fully erase the pain and damage he has caused, a guilty verdict will be one step closer to healing for the victims."

The trial, which had been postponed several times, took place under pressure from Daschbach's supporters, including national political figures, who still regard him as a hero for helping in the struggle for independence from Indonesia.

His supporters use social media to attack the alleged victims and their supporters, including public prosecutors and non-governmental organizations.

Source: https://www.ucanews.com/news/check-defrocked-timor-leste-priests-trial-reaches-final-stage/95148