STOCKTON (CA)
Modesto Bee
By AMY WHITE
BEE STAFF WRITER
Last Updated: March 12, 2005, 04:51:08 AM PST
STOCKTON — A Hughson woman suing two Modesto priests wrote to one of them saying she was in love with him, according to a letter read Friday in San Joaquin County Superior Court.
The impact and meaning of that comment is yet to be determined in the woman's lawsuit against the St. Joseph's Catholic Church priests, the Catholic Diocese of Stockton and others associated with the diocese.
The lawsuit claims St. Joseph's pastor, the Rev. Joseph Illo, and diocese officials failed to deal properly with the woman's claims that another St. Joseph's priest, the Rev. Francis Arakal, had touched two of her daughters inappropriately. The alleged incidents occurred in July 2001 in the family's home.
A law enforcement investigation in 2002 concluded that there was insufficient evidence for criminal prosecution.
Defense attorneys assert that "retribution" is the motive behind the family's lawsuit, saying the mother was in love with Illo and was hurt when he broke off contact.
Posted by kshaw at March 12, 2005 09:45 AM