Suit Claims Sexual Abuse, Cover-up by San Antonio Catholic Church

WOAI
May 28, 2015

http://www.woai.com/articles/woai-local-news-sponsored-by-five-119078/suit-claims-sexual-abuse-coverup-by-13625376/

A salacious civil lawsuit, accusing the San Antonio catholic archdiocese and two high profile priests of sexual abuse and the following cover-up, has been filed in Bexar County.

The unnamed male claims that, between 1980 and 1983, he was living in an orphanage steps away from Assumption Seminary. He was befriended by a student, named Brother Jesus Dominguez, who would help him with homework and take him out to restaurants.

"For about two years, Brother Dominguez would end our outing by taking me back to his dormitory quarters, where he would often fondle and masturbate my penis," the lawsuit, obtained by Newsradio 1200 WOAI, reads.

It goes on to say that Brother Dominguez took the victim and a friend to Disneyland, where they faced about one month of abuse. When he questioned the abuse, the lawsuits claims Brother Dominguez would fake a heart attack or, on another occasion, threaten to kill them both.

The lawsuit reads that the victim confided in father Virgilio Elizondo, but was once again sexually assaulted.

"Instead of listening to him and action on his concerns, father Elizondo began to fondle the plaintiff's genitals, taking advantage of the same sexual liberties Plaintiff complained of with Father Dominguez," it reads.

News Radio 1200 WOAI reached out the spokesman for the Catholic Archdiocese, who refused to comment on the pending litigation.

Father Elizondo has a long and storied history in San Antonio. He was the rector of San Fernando Cathedral during Pope John Paul's visit in 1987. He's known as a leader in bringing Mexican religious customs and traditions into the Catholic service. Time Magazine named his as one of the country's most innovative spiritual leaders.

Father Dominguez has a long and storied history when it comes to the sexual abuse of boys. Back in 2005, he was charged with molesting two teenage altar boys. He allegedly gave them alcohol, cash and watched pornographic movies with them while he served parishes in Coachella and Perris California in the 1980s. In 2001, he was convicted of trying to take nude pictures of a 15-year-old boy from La Mirada, California, which ended with a registered sex offender tag. It's believed he could be hiding in Mexico.

The lawsuit, which names the two priests, the diocese and all current and former archbishops, pleads negligence, wrongful conduct, fraud and emotional distress.

"Plaintiffs emotional and psychological injuries are chronic and have required continuous mental health care and treatment"