Dallas, Texas, Aug 23, 2018 / 15:43 pm
A Texas priest under investigation for sexual abuse has disappeared, the Diocese of Dallas announced this week. Officials believe he may have fled to his native country, the Philippines.
Father Edmundo Paredes was the pastor at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Oak Cliff, Texas, before he was investigated by the church last year for stealing from the parish. Paredes acknowledged financial irregularities and was suspended from ministry in June 2017, the diocese said in a statement.
Church leaders suspect the priest took an estimated $60,000 to $80,000 during his 27 years at the parish.
At the time of his suspension, the Church had no knowledge of abuse allegations, the diocese said.