Rev. Eric Freed
A Roman Catholic priest in the US state of California was found dead on Wednesday in his church’s residence, police said.
Officers responding to a call from staff at St. Bernard Church first came across the victim Rev. Eric Freed Wednesday morning, Eureka, California, Police Chief Andy Mills said.
The police chief did not elaborate on how the death occurred, adding Wednesday night that there were no suspects.
“He was a really, genuinely warm individual,” said professor Stephen Cunha, the chairman of Humboldt University’s religious studies department where Freed taught for more than 10 years. “… Kind is the word that comes to mind, sensitive.”
Just a few days ago, the priest sent a note to his Catholic church members thanking them for their support and prayers and wishing them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
The Roman Catholic Church has been hit by numerous scandals in the US and Europe in the past few years, involving allegations of covering up the sexual abuse of children by priests to protect pedophiles and its own reputation.
Reports discovered that more than 4,000 US priests have faced sexual abuse allegations since the 1950s, in cases involving more than 10,000 children.
Pope Francis has agreed to set up a panel of experts to advise the Holy See on protecting children from pedophile priests and helping abuse victims, following complaints that he has ignored the clerical sex abuse scandal.
AHT/ARA
Source: Press TV