CRIME

Former El Paso priest accused of sexual misconduct with a minor

Daniel Borunda
El Paso Times
El Paso Roman Catholic Bishop Mark J. Seitz speaks Monday at a news conference regarding a priest accused of sexual misconduct with a girl.

A former El Paso priest has been removed from the ministry over alleged sexual misconduct with a girl in the 1980s.

Miguel Luna, 67, recently allegedly admitted to sexual misconduct with a “young female adolescent” in the 1980s, El Paso Catholic Diocese Bishop Mark J. Seitz said during a news conference Monday.

The investigation began about 10 months ago when the girl, who is now an adult, came forward, Seitz said.

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Luna had been removed from the ministry in 2013 after an inquiry by the Diocesan Review Board into sexual harassment allegations against him. 

The diocese is in the process of laicization, or the formal removal under church canon law of Luna from the clergy, the bishop said. Luna has not been charged with any crime.

"Any act of sexual abuse is reprehensible, immoral and criminal," Seitz said. "While sexual acting out with a minor by any person is always wrong, it is directly contradictory to the sacrificial love to which a priest has committed himself before God. 

"I’m deeply sorry for the pain caused by these actions by Miguel Luna and ask those who know of other situations of misconduct or abuse to please inform law enforcement and the diocese," Seitz said.

Miguel Luna

 

Luna was ordained in July 1982, and had served in several El Paso churches, including Blessed Sacrament, Corpus Christi, Our Lady of Assumption, San Antonio de Padua and St. Pius, among others.

Luna also worked in four other towns in West Texas.

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Seitz refused to disclose at which parish the sexual misconduct occurred in order to protect the privacy of the victim, who he said wants to remain anonymous.

"I'm not at liberty to say. We feel a special responsibility to the victim, that she be able to live her life," Seitz said.

 

Seitz said that the diocese informed the El Paso Police Department about the Luna case, but the victim has not contacted police.

A police spokesman could not immediately say whether the case was under investigation.

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Seitz said the diocese feels "there is a chance" that there might be more victims. "Luna tells us there weren't any others," the bishop added.

In 2015, the diocese expanded its training to identify and respond to sexual abuse with more than 15,000 church members receiving training to help protect children and vulnerable adults, Seitz said.

Sexual abuse by clergy is particularly painful because "priests represent the church," Seitz said. "It's a very sad and hurtful thing for everyone. It breaks my heart."

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The bishop said that Information regarding Luna was placed in church bulletins this past weekend.

The El Paso Catholic Diocese is asking anyone who might have been a victim of sexual misconduct committed by Luna or anyone working in the church to contact the diocesan victims’ assistance coordinator, Susan Martinez, at 872-8465.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com; 546-6102 or @BorundaDaniel on Twitter.

Parishes where Miguel Luna worked

  • Blessed Sacrament in El Paso
  • Our Lady of Assumption in El Paso
  • Our Lady of Peace in Alpine, Texas
  • San Antonio de Padua in El Paso
  • St. Joseph Mission in Fort Davis, Texas
  • St. Mary Mission in Marathon, Texas
  • St. Matthew in El Paso
  • St. Pius X in El Paso
  • St. Thomas Aquinas
  • St. Thomas/St. Joseph in Kermit, Texas

Source: Roman Catholic Diocese of El Paso