By Eddie Garcia
CBS 7
December 29, 2009
http://www.cbs7kosa.com/news/details.asp?ID=17150
[with video]
 |
San Angelo, TX - The lawsuit accuses the late Father David Espitia of sexually molesting an 8 year old boy until he was 16.
The document further describes in graphic detail multiple sexual acts on the child at various locations including on church grounds.
One line says that Espitia intentionally would wear his priestly collar during the sexual assaults.
The document says quote."Father Espitia engaged in this wrongful conduct while in the course and scope of his employment with the Defendant Diocese. Consequently, Defendant Diocese is liable for the wrongful conduct of Father Espitia."
It continues saying. "Diocese and its Bishop knew or should have known of the sexual misconduct and continuing dangerous propensities of Espitia and that Espitia's injurious sexual actions thus were clearly foreseeable."
In a response Bishop Michael Pfeifer says quote: " I am dismayed by the claim, that the Diocese, and I personally, are somehow responsible for some claimed sexual abuse of a minor child, by the late Fr. David Espitia."
The Bishop continues saying. "Fr. Espitia himself was the first to report to me that he had been so accused. He totally denied these accusations."
Shortly afterward Espitia was found dead after committig suicide.
The Bishop says quote: "We report any incident of alleged abuse of a child, as required by Texas Law, and more importantly in accord with the strict moral requirements of the Catholic Church for such cases."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.