The criminal case of a Sacramento diocesan priest accused of sexual molestation is evolving into a morality play where faith and justice will do battle and nobody will win.

Scores are rushing to the aid of Father Uriel Ojeda – tall, handsome and adored to the point of worship – while he remains isolated from other prisoners in Sacramento's Main Jail through the holidays.

Since his arrest on Dec. 1, Ojeda's legion of supporters have attended his court hearings by the bus load from Redding and Woodland. That's where the 32-year-old lovingly preached his way into many hearts.

A lifelong Catholic, I've never seen anything like it.

Devotion to a dynamic man had been a blessing for a Catholic church battered by sex abuse scandals, but not anymore.

A criminal court is a terrible place to take your emotions. Love for one mortal man is secondary to facts proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

Jesse Ortiz, Ojeda's lawyer, said on Tuesday that he plans a vigorous defense of Ojeda.

In 25 years as a journalist, I've heard lawyers make such statements to prepare for trial, to avoid one through a plea bargain or to try to intimidate an accuser. In this case, that would be a girl Ojeda allegedly abused before she was 14.

When they arrested Ojeda right after charges were filed and the Sacramento Diocese reacted strongly, I wondered if he had confessed. I also wonder, after years of headlines on church abuse, if priests can get a fair trial anymore – if all are considered guilty until proven innocent.

Right now, all of these points are pure speculation.

Meanwhile, the Sacramento Diocese – accused by Ojeda's supporters of throwing him under the bus – remains neutral while praying for the girl and suspect.

It has arranged for housing in case Ojeda is freed on bail, while worrying some of his supporters will blame the girl as this case proceeds.

Talk about damned if you do and damned if you don't.

The Sacramento DA has a $5 million bail on Ojeda's head – higher than normal for a case involving seven charges of sexual molestation, but clearly set because Ojeda is considered a flight risk.

Three priests have already avoided prosecution for sexual molestation by fleeing the Sacramento Diocese for Mexico, where Ojeda grew up.

On Jan. 5, in what promises to be a contentious jail hearing, Ortiz will try to lower Ojeda's bail to $700,000. He is confident that Ojeda's friends can raise 10 percent – or $70,000 – to liberate him.

Two bank accounts contain funds raised at car washes and tamale sales, while some of Ojeda's friends may accept liens on their homes to guarantee his bail.

That kind of belief is so powerful and potentially dangerous if it were ever betrayed – or dashed within a justice system unmoved by the religious songs of believers sung in cold courtroom hallways.

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Call The Bee's Marcos Breton, (916) 321-1096.

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