BishopAccountability.org
	Parishioners Show Faith in Accused Priest Monterey County Herald July 31, 2009 http://www.montereyherald.com/local/ci_12960833?nclick_check=1 Parishioners show faith in accused priest Bailiffs on Thursday were forced to turn people away from a Salinas courtroom packed with supporters of a Catholic priest accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old parishioner. Antonio Cortes was in court for scheduling of his jury trial. The proceeding was continued until Sept. 10. Cortes is charged with engaging in sodomy with a minor in April, possession of child pornography, and 12 misdemeanor counts that include child molestation, furnishing alcohol to a minor, cruelty to a child and performing an immoral act before a child. Cortes, suspended from his duties as pastor of St. Mary of the Nativity Church in Salinas, is out on bail and living with parishioners. Congregation members are reportedly paying for his legal defense. Dozens of those supporters filled the courtroom Thursday, forcing bailiffs to turn away family members of defendants in unrelated cases.
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