The priest of a Troy Catholic church is speaking out about the alleged sexual misconduct of one of his former subdeacons.
"We are trying to assure the faithful that we here at the church, we are so much concerned about the safety of their children," said Father Rudy Zoma of St. Joseph Chaldean Catholic Church. "This is something that we take very seriously.”
Hurmiz Ishak, 63, was a subdeacon at St. Joseph's Church in Troy. On Wednesday, the Sterling Heights man was charged with three counts of criminal sexual conduct.
Zoma says the victim told a fellow pastor about the abuse, who then reported it to Troy police on Oct. 14.
Ishak was suspended by St. Joseph Church after the abuse was reported.
"Everything has to be given to them in a transparent way, where there was an accusation and we took action," Zoma said. "Now we have to unit together in a sprit of prayer."
Zoma says they plan on addressing the criminal investigation during this upcoming Sunday mass.
“I have to pray for all souls that are entrusted through my care," he said. "I pray for the victim and the family of course, and of course you have to also pray for the subdeacon."
Ishak is currently being held on a $300,000 cash bond. He will be back in court on Nov. 8 for a preliminary hearing.
