Victim Speaks after Priest Allegedly Abused Him

WSVN
October 18, 2012

http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21008829309630/victim-speaks-after-priest-allegedly-abused-him/

The Archdiocese of Miami is trying not to lose faith in one of its priests after more disturbing allegations were revealed against him.

Father Rolando Garcia from St. Agatha Catholic Church has been accused of sexually abusing three different boys in the 1980s.

A man has come forward to say one of his friends was abused by another priest, and said that Father Garcia paid the boy to cover it up. "I'm upset. This man is preaching to hundreds of people out there, and he's wearing a mask ... he abused me, and he's continued to do it to other children," said the victim only identified as "John Doe."

The victim said, "He's was paying me to keep quiet when Christobal de Jesus Puertas was raping me."

The victim's attorney, Jeff Herman, said, "If that's true, that fact in itself, in my opinion, makes Father Garcia unsafe to be around children."

The victim who spoke out has already settled his case against Father Garcia. "I was being paid to not talk about it. That was their response, and they continue to do it to other people that settled, like they say, and he's still there. So what did they settle? Nothing," said the victim.

Parents are wondering why Father Garcia is still working for the church.

The Archdiocese of Miami has not commented at this time.

The investigation continues.