Monsignor Peter Garcia
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Ordained: 1966
Resigned from ministry: 1989
Laicized: 2006
Died: 2009
Assigned as follows:
- 1967-1970: St. Cecilia (Los Angeles, CA)
- 1971: Santa Isabel (Los Angeles, CA)
- 1972-1973: Our Lady of Guadalupe Sanctuary (Los Angeles, CA)
- 1974-1975: St. Stephen (Monterey Park, CA)
- 1976: St. Polycarp (Stanton, CA)
- 1977-1978: Holy Family (Glendale, CA)
- 1979: St. Eugene (Los Angeles, CA)
- 1980: St. Anthony (San Gabriel, CA; St. Alphonsus, Los Angeles, CA)
- 1981-1984: St. Marcellinus (Los Angeles, CA)
- 1984: Servants of the Paraclete (Jemez Springs, NM)
- 1985-1986: San Miguel Parish (Scorro, NM)
- 1987: Our Lady of Belen (Belen, NM); St. Luke Institute (Baltimore, MD)
- 1988: Unknown
- 1989: Absent on Sick Leave
- 1990-2009: Unknown
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Monsignor Peter Garcia:
Monsignor Peter Garcia was ordained a priest in 1966, who served in multiple parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. His career consisted of many short term assignments throughout the Archdiocese. According to media reports, in 1984, the aunt of two minor boys reported that he engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct with her two nephews. At least 12 people have accused Monsignor Garcia of child sexual abuse from 1961 to 1983. He allegedly abused boys as young as 7 years old in his parish. He has been named in at least three civil lawsuits.
According to media reports, the release of his personnel file in 2013, revealed Monsignor Garcia targeted boys who were illegal immigrants and would threaten to have them deported if they told anyone about the abuse. According to a letter to Cardinal Roger Mahony in 1987 about his relocation, Monsignor Thomas Curry wrote: “According to the doctor (name withheld), there are numerous – perhaps twenty – teenagers and young adults with whom Peter was involved in a felony in the first degree. The possibility of it being seen by one of them is simply too great. “
In 1989, Cardinal Mahony requested that Monsignor Garcia seek laicization. It is believed he resigned from ministry in 1989. In 1993, after another allegation of child sexual abuse was made against Monsignor Garica, he was sent to St. Luke Institute and Servants of the Paraclete for treatment. He reportedly admitted abusing boys from the time of his ordination in 1966.
Monsignor Garcia was laicized in 2006. In 2007, at least one claim was settled as part of a $660M settlement with 508 plaintiffs. His name appeared on the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ list of clergy credibly accused of sex abuse of minors. From 1998 until his death in 2009, his whereabouts were unknown.
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