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  Oregon Dentist Sues Sacramento Diocese in Alleged Priest Sex Abuse Case

By Jennifer Garza
Sacramento Bee
March 15, 2009

http://www.sacbee.com/latest/story/1701694.html

An Oregon dentist has sued the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, claiming he was sexually abused as a boy by a priest more than 20 years ago.

Dr. Marco Gutierrez, 41, claims that he was molested by the Rev. Rodolfo Delgado after the priest befriended his family. The alleged misconduct occurred at St. Joseph's Parish in Rio Vista and at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento.

"I want answers, I want to make sure he is not doing this to anyone else," said Gutierrez of Portland explaining his reason for filing the suit in Sacramento Superior Court on Friday. He also filed a police report.

Gutierrez, who held a press conference Sunday, alleges that he was sexually abused over a period of 18 months.

Delgado was removed from ministry in 2006 after Gutierrez contacted diocesan officials. The priest, who had been serving at St. Philomene's Parish in Sacramento, is not allowed to serve in active ministry.

Gutierrez, who is married and has children, said the diocese has not responded to his request for information about Delgado.

Diocesan officials disagreed, saying they were mystified by the new complaint.

Kevin Eckery, diocesan spokesman, said Gutierrez' attorney George in 2006 told The Bee that his client "thinks they (the diocese) handled it well."

"We investigated and relieved him of his ministry," Eckery said Sunday. "We're not really sure of the nature of this complaint because we did everything we were asked to do at the time."

Contact: jgarza@sacbee.com

 
 

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