Fil-Am priest arrested for molesting teen

A Filipino Catholic priest in New Jersey is facing sex abuse charges after his arrest earlier this month for molesting a teenage boy.

According to a report by Catholic News Asia, the Diocese of Trenton received the news about 67-year-old Fr. Romannilo “Nilo” Apura with heavy hearts.

Apura, who is originally from Borongan City in Eastern Samar, is accused of molesting a 16-year-old at the boy’s family home in Trenton, New Jersey earlier this year.

Another encounter reportedly happened in June when Apura allegedly tried to remove the same boy’s pants.

Diocese officials said they immediately alerted authorities after receiving a complaint which resulted to an investigation.

Apura was arrested last August 21. He has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

In “Diocese of Trenton priest charged with engaging in sexual conduct with teenage boy,” a report written by Cristina Rojas on NJ.com, it was revealed that Apura has been detained at the Mercer County Correction Center in lieu of $100,000 cash or bond bail.

The report noted: “As conditions of bail, the judge ordered that Apura surrender his passport and have no contact with the victim or any other children.”

Apura had served at the Point Pleasant Parish since July of 2012. He has long served in the Diocese of Trenton and is also an American citizen.