BishopAccountability.org
	Trial Begins in Oakland Priest Abuse Case Priest Accused of Molesting Two Boys NBC 11 [Hayward CA] March 28, 2005 HAYWARD, Calif. -- A lawyer for two former altar boys at an Antioch church said Monday that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland gave "opportunity and a green light" to a priest who molested boys. In his opening statement in the first of what could be many priest sex-abuse cases against the Oakland diocese, attorney Richard Simons said the diocese sent the Rev. Robert Ponciroli to St. Ignatius Parish in Antioch in 1979 even though officials knew his conduct at other churches "was not unblemished." Simons said that Ponciroli abused Bob and Tom Thatcher in 1980 and said the brothers have suffered emotional problems, such as anxiety and issues of sexual identity and confusion, ever since. Simons also said Ponciroli's actions weren't an isolated incident within the diocese but instead were part of the diocesan policy of "disregarding the safety of children." The diocese's attorney, Allen Ruby, said there's no dispute that the Thatcher brothers are entitled to damages from the Diocese of Oakland. He said the central dispute in the case is the amount of damages they should receive. Ruby said "there's no excuse" for what happened to the Thatchers and other victims of sexual abuse by priests in the Oakland diocese. Ruby also said church officials have since taken steps to stop such abuse.