Spanish diocese says it has reported case of alleged child abuse to authorities

Spanish diocese reports alleged abuse case

MADRID — A diocese in Spain says it has reported to Spanish prosecutors allegations that a Catholic monk abused a minor.

The bishop’s office for the diocese of Segorbe-Castellon in the Valencia region said the allegations involve a monk from the Barefoot Carmelites order.

Tuesday’s statement gave no details of the case, but said the bishop is asking the alleged victim and his family for forgiveness.

El Mundo newspaper say this is the first time a Catholic church group in Spain has acted on an appeal that Pope Benedict XVI issued in March for church officials to report abuse cases to the authorities.

The paper said the case involves a monk who allegedly sexually abused an altar boy a few years ago in Burriana town. At the time the youth was 17, it says.