- The Salt Lake Diocese found sexual abuse allegations against Fr. Heriberto Mejia credible in a statement last week.
- The bishop apologized to the alleged victim, offered counseling, and said the diocese passed investigation information to police.
- The victim criticized diocesan leaders for shielding others who allowed the abuse to continue.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Diocese of Salt Lake City said it found a claim of sexual misconduct submitted to them in December, around the abuse of a teenager three decades ago, is credible.
The complaint was against Fr. Heriberto Mejia, who was in Utah in the early 1990s as a foreign priest visiting from Colombia. He left Utah in 1992.
The Diocese of Salt Lake City said in a statement last week that after considering reports from an independent investigation and recommendations from an independent review board, Bishop Oscar Solis ultimately determined the report's credibility.
"On behalf of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, I, Bishop Oscar A. Solis, want to apologize to William Hambleton for the sexual abuse he received from Fr. Heriberto Mejia in the 1990s, and for the many years of suffering and pain you have endured. No one should experience such trauma, especially from any member of the clergy. I personally pray and hope for your complete healing, peace, and that of your family," he said in a statement.
It said the diocese has offered counseling to Hambleton — who has spoken publicly about his abuse — and his family members, and has shared information about the investigation with law enforcement.
Hambleton said in a press release on Aug. 1 that he is grateful the bishop and Diocese of Salt Lake City have acknowledged and apologized for the abuse he endured beginning when he was 16.
However, he said he was "deeply disappointed" by a recent meeting with leaders at the diocese, who he said continue to shield others from accountability for concealing Mejia's actions. He said Bishop Solis confirmed an internal review of his claims against two other religious leaders had begun recently.
The man claims the actions of these other leaders allowed his abuse to continue for another year and contributed to a culture of sexual abuse.
"Revoking their priestly faculties would represent a necessary step toward the transparency and accountability that the Diocese of Salt Lake City has yet to fully embrace under Bishop Solis's leadership," he said.
The Diocese of Salt Lake City said its determination that the report of sexual abuse was credible will be sent to Mejia's home diocese, along with two parishes in Utah where he spent time. According to the press release, reports will also be sent to the Papal Nuncio in Washington and the Metropolitan Archbishop in Las Vegas for further evaluation.
The Diocese of Salt Lake City said it is committed to ensuring safety and reaching out to victims and survivors of sexual abuse, and invited prayers for victims of sexual abuse and their families.
The diocese's statement invited anyone with information about this allegation or other sexual abuse allegations to contact police and the diocese's Office of Safe Environment.
No charges in Utah have been filed at this point in response to the report.
