Budiman: Father Edwin Budiman

Share Button

 Tjeng Bei Yo

Indonesian-born priest. Ordained 05 June 1973 in Jakarta.   Served in Brazil 1975-1993. Began serving in Archdiocese of Vancouver, BC in 1993.  Actively involved with and listed as a the contact for Courage, a ministry which has as one if its primary objectives “To live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality.”  2007 charged – allegations date to 2003-2007.  November 2007 charges STAYED

Court file # 24393-1

Archbihops of Vancouver during Father Budiman’s tenure:  Adam Joseph Exner, O.M.I.( May 1991-Jan. 2004); : Raymond Roussin, S. M (Jan. 2004-Jan. 2008); : John Michael Miller, C.S.B. ( 02 Jan, 2009 –  )

__________________________

The following information is drawn from Canadian Catholic Church Directories (CCCCD) of that date, media (M) and Guardian Angels Parish online (GA) http://www.guardianangelsocd.org/the_past.html

_____________________________

Bio on Guardian Angels Parish website     

FATHER EDWIN BUDIMAN

Born in 1942 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Father Budiman studied at Maryhurst Seminary in Baguio City, the Philippines, then at Maryhill Seminary in Taytay, Rizal, the Philippines. He was ordained in Jakarta on June 5, 1973. He went to Brazil from 1975 to 1993, and came to Vancouver in April 1993. He celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination with Guardian Angels parishioners in June of 1998. 

_____________________________

2011, 2010:  address for diocesan centre, Archdiocese of Vancouver. Date of ordination shown as 1998.  (CCCD) Archdiocese website shows his date of ordination as 05 June 1973 – listed under “Bishops and Active Priests by Date of Ordination”). 

2009, 2008: active in the Indonesian community in Vancouver? http://ukibc.org/bulletin/April09.pdf & http://ukibc.org/bulletin/April08.pdf

November 2007:  charges STAYED

19 September 2007:  preliminary hearing.  Sent to the Supreme Court

Jan. or Feb. 2007: charged

2006:  Thesis published.  Petra Christian University (Surabaya, Indonesia) http://www.getcited.org/pub/103466170

2006:  Father Budiman removed as pastor of Guardian Angles following internal Church investigation

2005:  allegation of sex abuse reported to diocese.  The family allegedly did not want to lay charges. Bishop Raymond Roussin initiated an internal investigation and informed the Ministry of Children and Families

2002, 2000:  address in index Guardian Angles RC Church, Vancouver, BC. Listed elsewhere as Pastor Guardian Angels.  Date of ordination shown as 1998. (CCCD) He is the only Budiman in the CCCD so the date of ordination is incorrect.  1998 may have been the date he was incardinated in the Archdiocese of Vancouver?

1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994: not listed in index but is listed as Pastor Guardian Angels RC Church, Vancouver, BC (CCCD)

1998: Guardian Angels RC Church, Vancouver, BC.  “He celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination with Guardian Angels parishioners in June of 1998. ” (GA)

April 1993: Vancouver, British Columbia (GA)

1975-1993:  Brazil (GA)

05 June 1973:  ordained in Jakarta (GA)

studied at Maryhurst Seminary in Baguio City, the Philippines, then at Maryhill Seminary in Taytay, Rizal, the Philippines. He went to Brazil from 1975 to 1993 (GA)

1942:  born in Jakarta (GA)

____________________

Ex-pastor linked to teen boys

A former pastor from a Vancouver church that believes homosexuality can be coped with through chastity is accused of sexual improprieties involving two 14-year-old boys.

canada.com

February 25, 2007

By The Vancouver Province

A former pastor from a Vancouver church that believes homosexuality can be coped with through chastity is accused of sexual improprieties involving two 14-year-old boys.

Edwin Budiman, 64, was arrested Wednesday and later released on bail. The former pastor from the Guardian Angels Parish is charged with invitation to sexual touching and touching a young person for a sexual purpose.

The charges against him stem from alleged incidents between 2003 and 2007.

Vancouver police Const. Howard Chow said there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward. He urged anyone with information to call the police at 604-717-2634.

Though he used the name “Budiman,” the former pastor’s given name is Tjeng Bei Yo.

He was ordained in June 1973 in Jakarta, worked in Brazil from 1975 to 1993 and served as pastor at Guardian Angels from April 1993 to when he was dismissed in September of 2006.

The Broughton Street parish ministers to approximately 600 families.

While with Guardian Angels, Budiman was active in support groups designed to help homosexual men and women of Catholic faith live in accordance with the church’s teachings on homosexuality.

The Courage and Encourage support groups promote chastity and fellowship among members to ensure none “will have to face the problems of homosexuality alone,” according to information posted online.

Vancouver Archbishop Raymond Roussin said he was “deeply saddened” to hear of the charges.

“The situation is tragic and hurtful in every respect,” Roussin said in a prepared release. “My first thoughts and prayers go directly to the families affected. I think also of the parishioners of Guardian Angels Parish who must feel devastated by this news.”

Roussin said he first learned of an allegation against Budiman in June of 2005. Roussin said the victim’s family didn’t want to lay a criminal complaint but the archdiocese launched an investigation that ultimately led to restrictions on Budiman’s work with young people and a report to the Ministry of Children and Families.

Roussin removed Budiman from his position of pastor in September last year. He has not been assigned to church duties in any capacity since that time.

Budiman did not reply to messages asking for an interview. Budiman’s lawyer said his client remains in British Columbia as directed in his court-imposed bail conditions.

____________________

Parish priest charged

 A 64-year-old Vancouver priest charged with two sex offences involving teen boys had been involved in providing spiritual support for gay men and women in Vancouver’s West End for many years.

February 24, 2007

By The Vancouver Sun

VANCOUVER – A 64-year-old Vancouver priest charged with two sex offences involving teen boys had been involved in providing spiritual support for gay men and women in Vancouver’s West End for many years.

Rev. Edwin Budiman, also known as Tjeng Bei Yo, has been released on bail after he was charged with two criminal counts of invitation to sexual touching and sexual touching of a young person.

Police said Friday the alleged incidents involved two 14-year-old males and occurred between 2003 and 2007.

Investigators want to speak with anyone who may have been in contact with Budiman or may have information that could assist the criminal investigation to call police at                 604-717-2634  604-717-2634           604-717-2634  604-717-2634 or contact Crime Stoppers.

Police did not release the name of the church where Budiman served, but the website of the Guardian Angels Catholic church at 1161 Broughton St. in Vancouver’s West End says Budiman served there for the past 13 years.

Vancouver Archbishop Raymond Roussin said he was deeply saddened for everyone affected.

“This situation is tragic and hurtful in every respect,” Roussin said in a statement released Friday.

“My first thoughts and prayers go directly to the families affected. I think also of the parishioners of Guardian Angels parish who must feel devastated by this news. I also pray for all priests, who may now have their integrity unfairly questioned. The ripple effect of an event like this can be hurtful to many beyond those directly involved.”

The archbishop said he took immediate action when he first heard an allegation made against Budiman in June 2005.

Although the family did not wish to lay a criminal complaint, the archbishop launched an investigation, imposed restrictions regarding the priest’s work with minors and reported the matter to the Ministry of Children and Families.

Following the church’s investigation, the archbishop removed Budiman as pastor of Guardian Angels Church in September 2006. Since that date, Budiman has received no assignment for ministry of any kind. The second charge relates to an alleged incident that occurred after his removal, the archbishop said.

The archdiocese has cooperated fully with the police and is working to provide pastoral care for the alleged victims.

The Guardian Angels parish website says Budiman was born in 1942 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and studied at Maryhurst Seminary in Baguio City, the Philippines, then at Maryhill Seminary in Taytay, Rizal, the Philippines.

He was ordained in Jakarta on June 5, 1973, went to Brazil from 1975 to 1993 and came to Vancouver in April 1993. He celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination with Guardian Angels parishioners in June 1998.

During his time at Guardian Angels, Budiman was known as being involved in a program called Courage: Pastoral Care for Homosexual Persons.

The objectives of the program are “to live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality,” and to “foster a spirit of fellowship in which we may share with one another our thoughts and experiences, and so ensure that none of us will have to face the problems of homosexuality alone.”

nhall@png.canwest.com

2002, 2000: Pastor, Guardian Angles RC Church, Vancouver, BC (shown as ordained in 1998 and incardination in Archdiocese of Vancouver) (CCCD)

______________________________________

Vancouver pastor charged with sexual touching

A 64-year-old Vancouver pastor has been charged with invitation to sexual touching and touching a young person for sexual purposes, Vancouver city police announced today.
canada.com
February 23, 2007
By Vancouver Sun

A 64-year-old Vancouver pastor has been charged with invitation to sexual touching and touching a young person for sexual purposes, Vancouver city police announced today.

Two young males, who were 14 years old at the time, were involved in the incidents between 2003 and 2007, police said in a news release.

Tjeng Bei Yo, also known as Father Edwin Budiman, has been released on bail pending trial.

Investigators want to speak with anyone who may have been in contact with Yo and who may have information which could assist their investigation.  The number to call is 604-717-2634 or Crime Stoppers.

Police did not release the name of the church where Yo served, but the website of the Guardian Angels Catholic church shows that Budiman/Yo has served that church for the past 13 years.

The site says the pastor was born in 1942 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and studied at Maryhurst Seminary in Baguio City, the Philippines, then at Maryhill Seminary in Taytay, Rizal, the Philippines.

He was ordained in Jakarta on June 5, 1973. He went to Brazil from 1975 to 1993, and came to Vancouver in April 1993. He celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination with Guardian Angels parishioners in June of 1998.

11 Responses to Budiman: Father Edwin Budiman

  1. Leona says:

    I just came across this listing, Sylvia? What does it mean when charges are stayed? Would this priest still be working in Vancouver?

    • Sylvia says:

      A stay usually means the the proceedings were stopped before an acquittal or conviction: usually the halt is due to a technicality, such as claims that the accused Charter rights to a speedy trial have been violated. Defense layers will say that their client is therefore innocent, but in truth the case has not been tried in court of law. If the accused is innocent I would think he/she would want to prove his/her innocence in a court of law, not by deking out of the charge on a technicality.

      A stay is different than an acquittal, and different than having charges withdrawn. Do a google search – check the various hits and you will get a general understanding of what it is.

      A defence attorney considers a stay a victory. In the sense that because of the stay the accused “walks,” – it could I suppose be considered a legal victory. But, it is not an acquittal.

      I don’t what prompted the stay in Father Budiman’s proceedings so am in no position at all to make comment.

      I can tell you that, for example, Father Charles MacDonald in Cornwall Ontario had his charges stayed. At the Cornwall Public Inquiry his lawyer kept trying to insist that “Charlie” was innocent because the charges were stayed. I constantly thought that if indeed he was innocent he should not have wrapped himself in the Charter (Section 11b) to have his charges stayed – he should have been man enough to let the evidence speak for itself in a court of law. But, given the opportunity to be tried in a court, Charlie opted instead to wrap himself up snug and tight in the Charter. Why do you suppose he would do that?

      Also in Cornwall ….Jacques Leduc, a married man, lawyer and canon lawyer had his charges stayed. He too made a dash to wrap himself in the Charter.
      How many lawsuits have been settled out of court which stipulated that Leduc sexually abused young boys? I think I know of three. Were there more?

      Ditto Charlie. How many lawsuits did the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall settle because of Charlie?

      As for where Father Budiman is now, – his address is that of the Archdiocese of Vancouver. I don’t know if he is still active in the Indonesian community in the archdiocese or not.

      Can anyone tell us why the charges were stayed?

  2. Leona says:

    Thanks for this thorough explanation, Sylvia. so the archdiocese in they may have settled lawsuits, and then returned this man to ministry, and know one need be the wiser! convenient….

  3. Kathleen Kischer says:

    Hi Sylvia

    Thank you for posting this. Father Edwin married me and baptized two of my three sons. In 2002 I went to Father Edwin because I was having such a hard time being a Catholic with what was happening in Boston with the sexual assault scandal. Father Edwin told me that these monsters need our love too and that we have to pray for the victims and the accused because they are all in need of healing. Little did I know that Father Edwin would be charged 5 years later for being just the monster we were talking about.

    I loved Father Edwin and trusted him. Never in my wildest dreams would I see him as such a monster. In light of what is happening with the Pope I want to know where this monster has been shuffled. How does one go about this?

    • Sylvia says:

      Barring someone reporting that they have seen Father Budiman saying functioning as priest somewhere, or know where he is living , the only way to find out where he is and what he is doing is to appeal to Archbishop Michael Miller csb for transparency. The phone number for the Archbishop is: 604-443-3203. Email address is: rcavbishop@rcav.org.

  4. Robert says:

    I don’t usually post a comment on a blog, but I feel I need to in this case.
    First of all, a “stayed” charge is decided by prosecutor. It is different than a “withdrawn” charge in that a “stayed” charge opens the doors for prosecutor to file the same charge for 1 year after the charge has been “stayed” (presumably to allow more victims to come forward to make the case stronger).
    Having said that, I know some of the details of Fr. Edwin’s case that was never broadcasted out. The Archidioese had asked him to do something, unrelated to the charge, which he did not agree to do. It made some people at the Archidioese to hold a grudge against him. At about the same time, a sexual abuse complaint from a family was filed with the Archidioese. It was speculated that this family wanted money as a settlement, but the Archidioese saw this as an opportunity to get back at Fr. Edwin. So instead of helping Fr. Edwin out to prove his innocence, the Archidioese turned the case over to the police.
    I think each sexual abuse case by a priest is different. While some or most of them are true, some are definitely shaped by politics and bogus victims.
    Take this information for what it’s worth.

    • Leona says:

      Robert, I wonder if you aware aware of what you seem to be implying in your message. You say that ‘the archdiocese saw this as an ‘opportunity to get back at Fr. Edwin’. This implies that you see the archdiocese as vindictive and hurtful – not exactly christian traits per se. I wonder why you would want to continue to support such an organization, and why would Fr. Edwin? You also state that you see the church choosing politics over justice – on that point you and I and many other survivors strongly agree.
      Thanks for your post.

  5. B says:

    According to the information above, there were 2 victims, not just the single family you reference.

    In addition, it seems to me an excellent idea that any diocese turn over complaints of child molestation to the police, so that the public can see that there has been an unbiased investigation–this ought to be standard practice. If the diocese “helps a priest out to prove his innocence,” how can anyone ever be sure there hasn’t been a cover-up?

  6. PJ says:

    You are on shaky ground Robert. Making those kinds of statements can drop your credibility to that of rumour monger. Is that what you are trying to do? Your comments seem rather suspicious to me and begs the question, Can you prove your allegations???

    • Jean-Louis says:

      I had the same feeling as you when I read Robert’s statements, PJ… “needing to comment”… “speculations”… “instead of helping Fr. Edwin out to prove his innocence, the Archidioese turned the case over to the police”…

      I find this post dubious at best. I must also state that, if the archdiocese had any doubt that improprieties occurred, WHO CARES what their “motives” were to contact the police – I’m glad they did (and should have!)

      jj

  7. Michael says:

    Could someone please verify that Edwin is no longer allowed children?

Leave a Reply