Former Priest Sexually Abused Girl for Years, Including during Confession, Court Documents Show

By David Boroff
New York Daily News
June 21, 2018

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/ny-news-priest-abused-girl-years-20180621-story.html

A former priest in Texas accused of sexually abusing and raping a girl for years started by molesting her during confession, authorities say.

Miguel Luna, who served at 12 different locations in El Paso, started abusing the alter server when she was 8 by "kissing her passionately" when she was supposed to be privately admitting her sins, according to the El Paso Times.

"The victim recalled the defendant (Luna) telling her 'remember this is confession, so whatever happens here stays in here,'" according to the complaint obtained by the newspaper.

The 68-year-old Luna was arrested earlier this month for aggravated sexual assault of a child.

The church was not named in the charges, but Luna was with 12 different parishes after being ordained in 1982, according to KVIA.

The Diocese of El Paso is checking with the parishes to see if there are other victims, according to the station.

The investigation began after the victim, now 36, contacted authorities, according to the El Paso Times.

Former priest Miguel Luna is accused of sexually abusing and raping a girl for years. (El Paso County Sheriff's Office)

"It is directly contradictory to the sacrificial love to which a priest has committed himself before God," El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz said last year, according to KVIA. "I am deeply sorry for the pain caused by these actions of Miguel Luna."

Luna continued to abuse the girl and started raping her when she was 12, according to the complaint obtained by the newspaper.

The Catholic priest had a relationship with the girl's family and would often pick her up from school and home, according to the newspaper.

Anyone with information about Luna should contact the El Paso Police Crimes Against Children squad at (915) 212-0382.