BishopAccountability.org
	Former Priest Says He Was Shuttled around after Abuse Allegations The Associated Press, carried in San Luis Obispo Tribune [San Diego CA] August 10, 2005 SAN DIEGO - A former Roman Catholic priest claims church officials shuttled him to new parishes after he was accused of molesting children in the 1970s, according to a newly filed court document. The declaration by Edward Anthony Rodrigue supports allegations that bishops knew priests were molesting children but covered up the crimes by shifting accused clergy elsewhere. Rodrigue has been convicted of molestation twice and is serving a 10-year term at Corcoran state prison. "There is overwhelming evidence that the church was well aware of the sexual misconduct of these priests," said Raymond P. Boucher, lead attorney for hundreds of people who are suing the church. J. Michael Hennigan, the attorney for the San Diego diocese, said it's difficult to evaluate old claims. "We're not contending that it's impossible," Hennigan said. "Do I have to take the word of a convicted felon?" Rodrigue was convicted in 1979 of sexually assaulting two boys in Ontario and is behind bars for a second molestation conviction. Boucher filed the declaration Tuesday in U.S. District Court to oppose the church's bid to overturn the state law that allowed 1,000 Californians to sue it. Church attorneys claim the law unfairly singles out the Catholic Church. Los Angeles Cardinal Roger M. Mahony is not directly involved in the San Diego case but supports the challenge to the law's constitutionality, Hennigan said. A victory would not affect the 544 claims against the Los Angeles Archdiocese, unless it were upheld by a higher court. Rodrigue in his declaration said that in 1976, he was sent to Massachusetts to attend a residential treatment program for troubled priests after 10 parents alleged he was molesting altar boys at an El Centro parish. But while awaiting a bed, he was reassigned to Our Lady of Soledad parish in Coachella, he said. In 1979, while assigned to Ontario's St. George parish in the San Bernardino diocese, he was ordered into therapy after telling a colleague that a student had seduced him, Rodrigue said. In 1982, while on probation for the 1979 molestations, he was moved to St. Joseph the Worker parish in Loma Linda, he said. Rodrigue left the ministry in 1991.