Ombudsman demands investigation of possible sexual coercion in church
By Tsotne Pataraia
Friday, November 8
Ombudsman Nino Lomjaria calls on law enforcers to launch an investigation into alleged sexual harassment and sexual acts of coercion by clergymen.
Lomjaria says recent media reports by churchmen contain signs of criminal activity under the criminal code:
"In recent days, some clergymen have reported that they are aware of alleged acts of sexual harassment and coercion in church. They also indicate in the conversations that these acts may also be committed against juveniles," reads the statement released by the ombudsman’s office.
The statement also notes that the Public Defender's Office has already submitted a written request for a response to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Office of the Prosecutor General and the Minister of Health.
The Ombudsman also urged victims of alleged sexual harassment in the Orthodox Church to address her office:
"I would like to publicly urge all information holders to contact the Public Defender's Office so that we can collect and verify as much information as possible,“ Lomjaria stated.
The ombudsman explained that her agency can make inquiries even on alleged sexual harassment, which do not contain signs of a criminal offense, as the Public Defender of Georgia has the mandate to investigate and issue appropriate recommendations for sexual coercion cases.
There has been the talk of alleged sexual harassment and sexual abuse in the church since the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church, reconvened on October 31 under the chairmanship of Patriarch Ilia II decided to dismiss Bishop Petre Tsaava (of Chkondidi) for insulting the Patriarch and the Holy Synod.
Petre Tsaava was the first to inform the media of the Synod’s decision to dismiss him, calling it “unfair.” Tsaava cited “the disclosure of pederasty, homosexuality and pederast sins within the Georgian church” by him as the reason behind the Holy Synod’s decision. Asked by journalists, whom he disclosed, Tsaava responded:
“The chairman of the Holy Synod, Patriarch of Georgia… The nation has the chairman of the Synod, who is possessed by the sin of pederasty, homosexuality.”
Afterward, priest Giorgi Skhiladze, who currently lives in France and is not under the jurisdiction of the Georgian Orthodox Church, accused bishop Zosime (of Tsilkni and Dusheti) of harassment. It is also noteworthy that two years ago, bishop Seraphime Jojua of (Borjomi and Bakuriani) left his post on charges of sexual assault of a juvenile.
