OKLAHOMA
KFOR
APRIL 23, 2016, BY LORNE FULTONBERG
LAWTON, Okla. — A priest who pleaded guilty to sexual battery charges in San Diego is the newest chaplain at a Catholic church in Lawton.
Fr. Jose Alexis Davila joined Blessed Sacrament in Lawton in December, despite a criminal misdemeanor for inappropriately touching a 19-year-old woman in 2011. The church introduced him to the congregation, but never mentioned his criminal past — or even his last job, writing only that “he has pastoral experience in the United States.”
“We’re very alarmed by this,” said David Clohessy, executive director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. “This is precisely the pattern that’s been in the Catholic Church for decades and it’s amazingly irresponsible.”
Following Davila’s conviction in 2012, San Diego news outlets reported he was quietly reinstated and deemed “fit to minister.” A judge sentenced him to three years probation and 150 hours of community service. He worked briefly at another parish before leaving the area.
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