CALIFORNIA
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
By Stephanie K. Baer, The San Gabriel Valley Tribune
POSTED: 05/08/15
A former Covina priest who was removed from the church by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 2004 because of his “emotional instability” allegedly sexual abused at least two boys in the parish prior to his removal, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday.
The complaint alleges that Father Chris Cunningham sexually abused a 12-year-old boy at St. Louise de Marillac Catholic Church from 2001 to 2002 and that the Archdiocese failed to inform parishioners about the allegations when he was reassigned to church in Ventura.
Cunningham, the church and the Archdiocese are named defendants in the case.
“The Archdiocese was especially sneaky in the way that they handled this case,” said Anthony DeMarco, an attorney for the unidentified victim, in a statement. “Despite all of their promises of transparency, Cardinal (Roger) Mahony refused to tell parishioners about the allegations in 2004.”
Then, in 2013, Archbishop Jose Gomez “quietly released” Cunningham’s name on a list of accused priests but neglected to notify the parishes where Cunningham had worked, DeMarco said.
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