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Lawsuit: Pennsylvania priest made teen pregnant

CWN - August 27, 2010

A lawsuit filed against the Diocese of Allentown alleges that Father Luis A. Bonilla Margarito, while a parish priest and high school chaplain, had a relationship with a high school student that resulted in the birth of a child. The parents of the recent high school graduate claim that school officials did nothing after they expressed their concerns that the priest and their daughter were spending too much time together.

Father Bonilla was removed from his assignments last November and remains in a treatment facility.

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  • Posted by: Savonarola - Aug. 28, 2010 3:34 PM ET USA

    "Treatment facility" ? Should read "prison."

  • Posted by: Gil125 - Aug. 28, 2010 1:35 PM ET USA

    It may or may not be statutory rape, depending on state law, Quadratus. But in any event, this unfortunate incident doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the priesthood, even though there is much wrong with this one priest. And apparently with the high school administration. And perhaps with the diocese. But we can't blame the priesthood for Fr. Bonilla any more than we can blame the Apostolate for Judas Iscariot.

  • Posted by: Lilacs2me - Aug. 27, 2010 8:20 PM ET USA

    Instead of going to the diocese, the parents should have gone directly to the police!!!

  • Posted by: Quadratus - Aug. 27, 2010 11:41 AM ET USA

    "Remains in a treatment facility" Was the girl under 18? Is not that statutory rape? What is wrong with the priesthood?

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