AP: Former Priest Claims Molestation by Childhood Priest

Paul Kiesel

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From The Associated Press:

ORANGE, Calif. (AP) — A former Roman Catholic priest filed a lawsuit Monday claiming that as a teenager in Southern California he was abused by a priest who was his mentor.

Ben Rodriguez, who left the priesthood in 2006, claims that Gordon J. Pillon molested him multiple times from 1978 to 1981 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in La Habra.

The lawsuit said Pillon eventually influenced Rodriguez to enter seminary and become a priest.

Rodriguez's attorney Joseph George said Pillon is a professor at the University of Northern Virginia's campus in Prague. An e-mail to a Gordon Pillon at the Prague campus was not immediately returned.

In 2006, the diocese in Peoria, Ill., said Pillon was asked to step down after allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor surfaced. The Peoria diocese, where Pillon had been serving since 1993, said the alleged abuse happened when Pillon was serving in Orange County.