Former priest charged with sexually abusing children in Palmdale, Redondo Beach
Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascon’s office announced charges against a former Catholic priest accused of sexually assaulting four children during at churches in Palmdale and Redondo Beach in the late 1990s and early 2000s.(Bryan Chan / Los Angeles County)
By JAMES QUEALLYSTAFF WRITER
APRIL 14, 2021 12:37 PM PT
A former Catholic priest has been charged with sexually assaulting four children in Los Angeles County while serving at churches in Palmdale and Redondo Beach in the late 1990s and early 2000s, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Christopher John Cunningham, 58, was charged with 12 counts of committing lewd acts upon a minor, according to a news release issued by the L.A. County district attorney’s office.
Prosecutors allege Cunningham sexually assaulted an 11-year-old boy on two occasions between 1995 and 1997 while serving as a priest at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Palmdale. Cunningham also molested another boy at the child’s home between 1996 and 1998, according to the district attorney’s office.
In 1998, after being reassigned to Saint Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church in Redondo Beach, prosecutors say Cunningham sexually abused a 10-year-old boy and a 12-year-old boy repeatedly between 1998 and 2001.
“The victims were innocent children who have spent most of their lives with the trauma caused by the abuse alleged in this case,” Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascón said in a statement. “My office is committed to holding accountable anyone who abuses and takes advantage of our children, especially when they hold a position of trust.”
The charges were filed earlier this month and an arraignment has yet to be scheduled. A spokesman for the district attorney’s office did not know if Cunningham was in custody or if he had a defense attorney. Representatives for the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Cunningham has been accused of assault multiple times, court records show. He first entered the priesthood in 1990 and served at Saint Christopher Catholic Church in West Covina, according to a 2017 lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault.
A complaint about Cunningham’s behavior and conduct with young boys was first made in 1994, according to the lawsuit filed by Pasadena attorney Anthony DeMarco, who has represented several victims accusing Cunningham of abuse. His behavior allegedly continued at Saint Mary’s, where prosecutors now say he assaulted two boys.
“At Saint Mary’s, Father Cunningham continued his practice of spending extraordinary amounts of time alone with teen boys. Taking them to the movies, often one-on-one, taking them to ice cream one-on-one. Having them in his rectory bedroom, often one-on-one. Wrestling with them and hugging them,” the suit read. “Father Cunningham would further regularly discuss sex with teens in his religious education classes.”
What could possibly go wrong there?
DeMarco also alleged that church officials have destroyed records of the initial complaints against Cunningham.
In 2004, the priest was removed from his post at Saint Louise de Marillac Catholic Church in Covina, according to another lawsuit filed by DeMarco. In that suit, an unidentified plaintiff accused Cunningham of molesting him at the church when he was 12 years old. The lawsuit was later settled under undisclosed terms.
And the Bishop(s) overseeing this carnage? What happens to him?
Father Christopher Ciomek, Pastor Of St. Peter Damian Parish In Bartlett, Removed Amid 30-Year-Old Child Sex Abuse Claims
By CBS 2 Chicago Staff
April 17, 2021 at 6:09 pm
CHICAGO (CBS) — Father Christopher Ciomek, pastor of St. Peter Damian Parish in northwest suburban Bartlett, has been removed from ministry as the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago investigations allegations of child sex abuse dating back 30 years.
“It is with great difficulty that I write to share news about your pastor, Father Christopher Ciomek. In keeping with our child protection policies, I have asked Father Ciomek to step aside from ministry following receipt by the Archdiocese of allegations of sexual abuse of a minor approximately 30 years ago. Allegations are claims that have not been proven as true or false. Therefore, guilt or innocence should not be assumed,” Cardinal Blase Cupich said in a letter to the parish.
According to Ciomek’s biography on the church’s website, he was born in Poland, has been a priest since 1998, starting as a full-time associate pastor at St. Monica Parish in Chicago. He’s also served at St. Theresa Parish in Palatine, and on the faculty of the Mundelein Seminary.
Ciomek has been instructed to move out of the parish while the allegations are under investigation, and retired Father Curtis Lambert will serve as temporary administrator.
Cupich said the allegations against Ciomek were reported to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.
The accuser has been offered the services of the Archdiocese Victim Assistance Ministry while the allegations are under investigation.
“In the days and weeks ahead, members of the Archdiocese’s Office for the Protection of Children and Youth will be available to answer any questions you may have and provide you with support during this challenging time,” Cupich wrote to the parish. “It is crucial that you know nothing is more important than the welfare of the children entrusted to our care. The Archdiocese of Chicago takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and encourages anyone who feels they have been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee to come forward.”
Newcastle priest found dead was being investigated by police
for historic child sex abuse
nechronicle
An allegation of child sex abuse was made against Canon Michael McCoy, of St Mary’s Cathedral in Newcastle, before he died (Image: Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle)
A Newcastle Catholic priest who has been found dead was being investigated by police for historic child sex abuse.
Canon Michael McCoy, of St Mary's Cathedral in Newcastle city centre, died on the morning of Saturday, April 10.
Prior to the 57-year-old's death, ChronicleLive can now reveal an allegation of child sex abuse against him was made to Northumbria Police.
It is understood the police investigation was only in its early stages when Canon McCoy was found dead at a property in Newcastle.
His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report has been prepared for the coroner.
It is understood Canon McCoy was not interviewed or arrested by officers in relation to the alleged abuse.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm we received concerns about a named individual and enquiries were ongoing to establish if any criminal offences had been committed.
"The man had not been arrested or interviewed under caution but on April 10 we received a report he had been found deceased at an address in Newcastle.
"There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances around the man's death and a report has been prepared for the coroner."
The Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle said in a statement: "Following the sad news of the death of Canon Michael McCoy on April 10 2021, the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle calls for prayers to be offered for the repose of his soul and for his family at this painful time.
"No further comment is available concerning the circumstances of his death.
"The Safeguarding Department of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle continues to cooperate fully with Northumbria Police to assist with their investigation in respect of Canon McCoy. No further comment is available at this time."
Before taking up his role at St Mary's, Canon McCoy was a priest in parishes across Sunderland including St Anne's in Pennywell, St Joseph's in Millfield and St Benet's in Monkwearmouth.
Responding to Canon McCoy's death, Bishop Robert Byrne said: "It is with a sense of deep shock and sadness that I have to inform you that Canon Michael McCoy died yesterday morning.
"This is a time of great grief for Canon Michael’s family, his friends, his parishioners and for our whole Diocese. I would ask you to pray for the repose of his soul, and also to keep his family in your prayers and at this most difficult time."
How about praying for his victim(s)?
An inquest into Canon McCoy's death will take place at Newcastle Coroners Court in due course.
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