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  Lawsuit Accuses Priest of Abusing Dona Ana County Boy in 1970s

Associated Press [Albuquerque]
August 7, 2004

A Roman Catholic Priest and the Diocese of El Paso are being sued for the alleged sexual abuse of a boy in the 1970s.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court here accused the Rev. Manuel Perez Maramba of repeatedly molesting and abusing a boy in 1976 and 1977.

The plaintiffs are listed in the lawsuit as John Doe I and his parents, John Doe II and Jane Doe I to "prevent further embarrassment and humiliation." They live in Dona Ana County.

The five counts listed in the complaint are battery, negligence, infliction of emotional distress and breach of fiduciary duty.

Maramba is a citizen of the Philippines who now resides there, according to the lawsuit.

The diocese is accused of failing to guard against or warn the plaintiffs of the danger Maramba presented.

An affidavit filed July 23 said the Most Rev. Sidney Metzger, who is dead, served as bishop of the diocese from 1942 to 1978.

The West Texas diocese included southern New Mexico churches until the Las Cruces Diocese was formed in 1983.

Attorneys for both parties couldn't be reached for comment.

 
 

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