Father Luis Angel Bonilla Margarito
Diocese of Allentown
Ordained: 2000
Removed: 2009
Assigned as follows:
- 2000-2002: St. Joseph the Worker (Orefield, PA)
- 2002-2003: St. Peter (Reading, PA)
- 2003-2005: St. Ann (Emmaus, PA)
- 2005-2007: St. Joseph (Reading, PA)
- 2008-2010: St. Joseph/Central Catholic High School (Reading, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Fr. Luis Bonilla Margarito:
Fr. Luis Bonilla Margarito was ordained a priest in 2000, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Allentown. According to media reports, in August 2010, he was named in a lawsuit following the alleged sexual abuse of a teenage girl that Bonilla was counseling at Reading Central Catholic High School from 2008-2009. He was removed from ministry in November 2009 and sent for evaluation and treatment.
Margarito reportedly continued the sexual relationship with his victim, who later gave birth to his child. According to media reports, the parents brought the conduct to the Diocese of Allentown when they recorded sexual contact between the priest and teenager on a hidden camera in their basement.
Bonilla does not appear on the Diocese of Allentown's list of credibly accused priests. In the 2010 lawsuit, the Diocese of Allentown argued that the lawsuit must be dismissed because the girl turned 18 during the period of abuse and, therefore, it became consensual. It may be that its position in the lawsuit, which was rejected by a judge, is the reason they do not consider Bonilla to have been 'credibly accused.'
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Allentown. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Pennsylvania, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Allentown may have legal options against the Diocese of Allentown.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.