U.S. House: Health Care DebatePriest Found Guilty, Sentenced In Child Rape Case
Priest Received 12 To 14 Years
POSTED: 2:05 pm EDT June 27,
2003
UPDATED: 7:29 pm EDT June 27,
2003
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HAVERHILL, Mass. -- A Catholic priest Friday began a hefty prison sentence for raping a child in Haverhill, Mass.
Rev. Kelvin Iguabita received 12 to 14 years, Newscenter 5's Pam Cross reported.It was longer than prosecutors requested and the judge said that eventually Iguabita will face a higher authority.Iguabita, 34, may have discovered comfort in the scripture, but he found condemnation in the courtroom.The young woman he was convicted of raping was a 15-year-old working in the rectory of Haverhill's All Saints Parish."I look in the mirror every day... hate what I see, dirty, guilty and shameful," said victim Faith Johnston.Johnston, now 18, says she's had panic attacks and attempted suicide, but she wanted to speak up."This man has not only hurt me but countless other women and countless others we'll never know about," said Johnson.The priest's attorney produced letters of support asking for leniency. He said Iguabita, a Columbian, faces expulsion."It is true that he will be deported upon the completion of his sentence in our state prison system," said attorney Martin Leppo.The former assistant church pastor asked for mercy."I'm not the monster they are trying to depict I am. As God as my witness, I am not the monster they are trying (to) show I am," said Iguabita.The judge disagreed, calling him a popular priest whose conduct deserves punishment."She comes to you with her problems and you respond with a series of calculated sexual assaults. It's difficult to conceive of a greater abuse of a position of trust," said Superior Court Judge Richard Welsh.He gave a tougher sentence than requested by prosecutors."All I really want is an apology from Kelvin, that's all I ever wanted, I just want to see him get helped, see him be stopped," said Johnston outside the courthouse.The judge said he couldn't punish the priest enough for the harm he has done -- the misuse of trust. But, Welsh said, this sentence may help healing begin for the young woman and the entire parish family.
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