DC Priest Arrested On Child Sex Abuse Charges: Report

WASHINGTON, DC -- Police have arrested a Catholic priest in D.C. on child sexual abuse charges, according to a report.

The accused is 46-year-old Urbano Vazquez of Northeast, who had served as the parochial vicar at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart Parish in Columbia Heights since 2014, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Washington.

Vazquez allegedly had sexual contact with a child in May 2015. The child -- a girl -- was 13 years old at the time, according to a WTOP report, which noted that Vazquez is accused of putting his hand down the front of her shirt and on her bare breast on two occasions. Two others have accused the priest, according to the Washington Post.

The Archdiocese of Washington says it learned of the allegations on Oct. 26 and reported them to D.C. police.

"This was the first report to the Archdiocese of this allegation of sexual abuse and immediately upon learning of this serious allegation, the Archdiocese immediately removed Father Vazquez from ministry and suspended his priestly faculties," the statement reads. "Since the initial claim to police, additional allegations against Father Vazquez were reported."

As a result of the incident, the pastor of Sacred Heart will also be removed.

"In reviewing this troubling matter, the Archdiocese subsequently determined that Father Moises Villalta, OFM Cap., pastor of Sacred Heart, failed to follow appropriate protocols related to reporting allegations of abuse to civil authorities and the Archdiocese of Washington," the statement adds. "Father Villalta has been removed as pastor. For similar reasons, the parish’s child protection coordinator has been placed on administrative leave."

The statement continues: "The Archdiocese of Washington takes seriously its responsibility to protect the children entrusted to its care. The Child Protection Policy of the Archdiocese of Washington mandates criminal background checks, applications and education for all employees and volunteers who work with young people. In this case, Father Vazquez cleared the background check and accompanying requirements."

Image via Google Maps