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Thread ID: 17922 | Posts: 1 | Started: 2005-04-23
2005-04-23 12:24 | User Profile
Former priest sentenced in LA to six years in prison for molestation
[img]http://www.sanluisobispo.com/images/common/spacer.gif[/img] [size=-1]RYAN PEARSON[/size] [img]http://www.sanluisobispo.com/images/common/spacer.gif[/img] [size=-1]Associated Press[/size] [img]http://www.sanluisobispo.com/images/common/spacer.gif[/img]
LOS ANGELES - Saying a former Roman Catholic priest had a "dark side" that supportive parishioners hadn't seen, a judge on Friday sentenced him to more than six years in prison for molesting three boys.
The judge said Fernando Lopez, 40, used his position of power to abuse the boys during a three-year period that began shortly after his temporary transfer to Los Angeles from Rome in 2001.
"The defendant robbed the victims of innocence and scarred them for life," Superior Court Judge Ruth Kwan said. "He preyed upon their strong beliefs in the church. ... He destroyed their faith."
During a lengthy hearing Friday, two of Lopez's victims told of their lasting pain from the abuse, nearly two dozen parishioners praised their former priest, and Lopez defiantly lashed out at his accusers and proclaimed his innocence.
The slight, suit-clad priest, his scraggly black hair falling below his shoulders, held his hands out to the teen and young man in the courtroom. "I would like to offer my forgiveness to those who betrayed my trust and friendship," he said.
Lopez, a Colombian citizen, was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison and ordered to pay restitution and fines as well as register as a sex offender. He will be credited for 10 months served.
Lopez was convicted last month of five felony and three misdemeanor counts. He planned to appeal, defense attorney William Moore said.
The case marked Los Angeles County's first successful prosecution of a Catholic church priest abuse case since the U.S. Supreme Court last year struck down a California law that had lifted the statute of limitations in old molestation cases.
Lopez was suspended from the church immediately after he was arrested in September.
The case developed after a 17-year-old boy from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Koreatown told his older brother that Lopez had molested him at a Japanese restaurant and in the church basement.
Two other victims came forward after being contacted by prosecutors: a 23-year-old man who said he was abused in 2001 and a 16-year-old boy who said Lopez began molesting him when he was 13.
Both spoke at the hearing Friday.
"The truth is that that man has destroyed my life, my heart and worst of all, he killed my faith ... my immense faith in the Lord," the 16-year-old told the judge.
The teen said it had been difficult to speak out about his victimization while so many parishioners - including several teen boys - praised Lopez for his aid to the poor, preaching talents and friendship.
"I get upset ... that there's so many people against me," the accuser said outside court. "They're blind, practically."
He said at least some of the thousands of congregation members - most of them immigrants from South and Central America - told him they believed him.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles said in a statement that it fully cooperated with the police investigation and provided counseling for the victims.
"This has been an extremely difficult and painful time for these young people. Their courageous testimony allowed justice to be done," the archdiocese said.
In statements in English and Spanish before Lopez was sentenced, young and old parishioners described him as a kindhearted and outgoing priest who would play the guitar and accordion at birthday parties. One elderly woman said she switched congregations and drove an hour to get to his church because she was so impressed by his preaching.
Diego Garcia, 17, said Lopez had given him a cell phone and CD player as gifts, traveled to Las Vegas with him and his family, and gave him a ride to church youth groups.
"Nothing ever happened. He respected me and I respected him," Garcia said. "He's a cool guy. ... I hope to see him back in church."
Many of the parishioners wiped away tears when Lopez delivered his poetic but rambling statement, which included oblique references to China's Mao Zedong and wildfire-scarred Southern California mountains.
As Lopez was being led away after sentencing, wearing a priestly white collar under his suit, he waved to parishioners and made the sign of the cross. Several in the crowd crossed themselves.
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