By Sona Patel
SanLuisObispo
July 23, 2007
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/story/99124.html
California — Acknowledging that the behavior of a Nipomo priest accused of committing sexual crimes near a San Luis Obispo County nude beach was inappropriate for clergymen, Bishop Richard Garcia said he would offer the man support and monitor his actions as much as possible.
"I will do everything I can to prevent this from happening again," Garcia told The Tribune after a groundbreaking ceremony at Mission San Miguel on Saturday.
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| Geronimo Enrique Cuevas |
Tepidly pledging his commitment to halt this kind of behavior, the bishop added that his support would extend to the entire clergy if needed. Garcia said he believes parishioners' strong
faith in the Catholic Church would not be diminished by last week's arrest of the Rev. Geronimo Enrique Cuevas.
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| Richard Garcia |
Instead, he said, "We have to recognize that priests make mistakes and that we need to seek help for them."
The bishop said he learned of the incident Friday morning while on his way to visit a church in the Central Valley city of Los Banos.
He said he changed his route to meet in Nipomo with Cuevas, who the bishop later placed on administrative leave.
Cuevas, 52, is a priest at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Nipomo. The parish is part of the Diocese of Monterey, which has been led by Garcia since he was appointed bishop in January.
The priest was arrested Wednesday near Pirates Cove on suspicion of sexual battery and soliciting a lewd act in a public place, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department.
Cuevas, who is accused of groping an undercover male deputy at the cove near Avila Beach, was one of three men arrested on misdemeanor allegations.
Sheriff's deputies are continuing their investigation. Garcia said the Diocese of Monterey is fully cooperating with investigators.
Garcia said he did not know exactly how long Cuevas has been a priest at St. Joseph's but suggested that it may have been about four years.
Sona Patel spatel@thetribunenews.com
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