A Vatican pedophile priest who is accused of impregnating a 12-year-old girl says he is not responsible for the pregnancy and that the child was born of the Holy spirit.
The parents of the 12-year-old girl are accusing Father Ariel Bartholemew, 56, of the Catholic Church of having impregnated their daughter.
Father Bartholemew claims in his defense that the whole event is a miracle and denies any involvement in the pregnancy.
Father Bartholemew also refused to hire the services of a professional lawyer and defended himself in court, pleading he was guilty of no crime.
“This special little girl has been blessed by the Holy Spirit. It is a miracle of God, there can be no other explanation,” he told the judge in court.
“The Lord has blessed this young girl with his Grace and all should celebrate the return of the prophet,” he pleaded in his defense, adding that the Lord chose the 12-year-old girl because she is “mature beyond her years” and “ready for the responsibility.”
The parents of the 12-year-old, who have not been named to protect the identity of their daughter, have urged the court to test the DNA of the child, arguing that it will match that of the priest – and not the Holy Spirit.
The Vatican police department has placed the suspect under house arrest over several charges of sexual abuse against minors after other victims have also come forward against the priest, according to Dr. Domenico Giani, the Inspector General of the Corpo della Gendarmeria, the police and security force of Vatican City.
If Father Bartholemew is proven guilty of the reported 26 charges of sexual abuse against minors, he could be forced to take six months paid leave, and pray to god for forgiveness, as per Pope Francis’ new amendments to Vatican state law, according to legal experts.