Ordained: 1962
Removed: 2002
Died: 2013
Assigned as follows:
- 1963: St. Anthony's Church (San Bernardino, CA)
- 1964: St. Therese of the Child Jesus (San Diego, CA)
- 1965-1968: St. Edward, Corona, CA)
- 1969: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Riverside, CA)
- 1970-1978: San Salvador, Colton (CA)
- 1980-1987: Our Lady of Guadalupe (San Bernardino, CA)
- 1989-1994: Our Lady of Guadalupe Church (Chino, CA)
- 2000-2003: St. Edward Church (Corona, CA)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Monsignor Peter Luque:
Msgr. Peter Luque spent 40 years working in parishes located in what would become the Diocese of San Bernardino in 1978. Prior to that date, these churches were a part of the Diocese of San Diego. Luque was a popular priest who was honored at a concert at St. Edward to mark the 40th anniversary of his ordination.
According to media reports, Luque resigned as pastor of St. Edward Church in Corona at the end of February 2002. In March, his name was included on a list of 20 priests turned over to police, after the Diocese of San Bernardino reviewed their files for alleged sexual misconduct by priests. One month later, in April, he was placed on administrative leave.
In April 2003, he was criminally charged with sexually abusing two teenage boys ages 13 and 14, at Our Lady of Guadalupe in San Bernardino and at San Salvador in Colton. Authorities alleged that the boys were sexually assaulted from June 1963 to February 1969. He faced 12 felony counts, including oral copulation, lewd act on a child, and sodomy, stemming from allegations he sexually assaulted the boys. He faced a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison. He remained on paid administrative leave.
In July 2003, according to media reports, the charges against Luque were dismissed due to a United States Supreme Court ruling that changed the law surrounding the statute of limitations. He has been named in at least one civil lawsuit. Another accuser later came forward and filed a civil suit in December 2003. In March 2007, his name was included in the Diocese of San Diego's list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. He died in 2013.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of San Bernardino. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in San Bernardino, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of San Bernardino now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an email to adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.