Latest news with #OurLadyofPerpetualHelp
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
Priest charged with child molestation, removed from Downey parish by Archdiocese of L.A.
A Roman Catholic priest is facing five felony counts of child molestation and was removed from his Downey parish after being arrested by Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies, records and officials said. Father Jaime Arriaga, 41, remains in the Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail on no bail after pleading not guilty Monday to assault with intent to commit a felony and four felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a person 14 to 15 by a person at least a decade older, according to court records. "The archdiocese has a long-standing commitment to the protection of minors and reporting the prevention of abuse,' the Archdiocese said in a statement explaining its officials reported the priest to authorities. Read more: Youth soccer coach charged with murder in death of 13-year-old boy Arriaga, who also goes by Jaime Arriaga Pedroza, was surrendered to deputies last Thursday and arrested on suspicion of assault on a minor to commit a sexual offense. According to the charges, one of the alleged lewd acts occurred Feb. 8 and three on Feb. 9, while the assault with intent to commit a felony upon a minor involved a sexual offense. L.A. County Sheriff's Capt. Erick Kim said the charges involve one victim, but Special Victims Unit detectives are seeking additional potential victims. Clergy sex abuse scandals have rocked Catholic churches across the world, but few places have seen the financial toll of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Last October, the Archdiocese agreed to a record $880-million civil settlement with victims, bringing the payout by the largest diocese in the nation to more than $1.5 billion. The number of people alleging abuse now stands at nearly 2,500. The list of priests who abused within the Archdiocese includes more than 500 names, according to the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. But in the wake of the massive scandal that exposed decades of cover-up, new allegations have become rare. According to the Archdiocese, Arriaga was ordained in June 2024 and served as associate pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Downey. Read more: In unprecedented payout, L.A. County will settle sex abuse claims for $4 billion The Archdiocese of L.A. released a statement saying it received a report alleging misconduct on April 2. Arriaga was removed from ministry and surrendered to L.A. County Sheriff's deputies the following day. In a statement read this past weekend at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and at St. Louis of France in La Puente — where Arriaga had served before being ordained — the Archdiocese informed parishioners that the priest had 'been removed from ministry as a result of a recent report of alleged sexual misconduct involving a minor..." Parishioners were informed that the Archdiocese is cooperating with law enforcement. Links to a profile of the priest, including his photo, were removed from the Archdiocese website. According to information previously posted by the Archdiocese, Arraiga is a native of Tenancingo, Tlaxcala, in Mexico. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
08-04-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Priest charged with child molestation, removed from Downey parish by Archdiocese of L.A.
A Roman Catholic priest is facing five felony counts of child molestation and was removed from his Downey parish after being arrested by Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies, records and officials said. Father Jaime Arriaga, 41, remains in the Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail on no bail after pleading not guilty Monday to assault with intent to commit a felony and four felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a person 14 to 15 by a person at least a decade older, according to court records. 'The archdiocese has a long-standing commitment to the protection of minors and reporting the prevention of abuse,' the Archdiocese said in a statement explaining its officials reported the priest to authorities. Arriaga, who also goes by Jaime Arriaga Pedroza, was surrendered to deputies last Thursday and arrested on suspicion of assault on a minor to commit a sexual offense. According to the charges, one of the alleged lewd acts occurred Feb. 8 and three on Feb. 9, while the assault with intent to commit a felony upon a minor involved a sexual offense. L.A. County Sheriff's Capt. Erick Kim said the charges involve one victim, but Special Victims Unit detectives are seeking additional potential victims. Clergy sex abuse scandals have rocked Catholic churches across the world, but few places have seen the financial toll of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Last October, the Archdiocese agreed to a record $880-million civil settlement with victims, bringing the payout by the largest diocese in the nation to more than $1.5 billion. The number of people alleging abuse now stands at nearly 2,500. The list of priests who abused within the Archdiocese includes more than 500 names, according to the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. But in the wake of the massive scandal that exposed decades of cover-up, new allegations have become rare. According to the Archdiocese, Arriaga was ordained in June 2024 and served as associate pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Downey. The Archdiocese of L.A. released a statement saying it received a report alleging misconduct on April 2. Arriaga was removed from ministry and surrendered to L.A. County Sheriff's deputies the following day. In a statement read this past weekend at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and at St. Louis of France in La Puente — where Arriaga had served before being ordained — the Archdiocese informed parishioners that the priest had 'been removed from ministry as a result of a recent report of alleged sexual misconduct involving a minor...' Parishioners were informed that the Archdiocese is cooperating with law enforcement. Links to a profile of the priest, including his photo, were removed from the Archdiocese website. According to information previously posted by the Archdiocese, Arraiga is a native of Tenancingo, Tlaxcala, in Mexico.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pope Francis in critical condition: Atlanta Catholics pray for his recovery
The Brief Pope Francis is still in critical condition as doctors treat him for pneumonia and kidney problems. Many Catholics in Atlanta kept the pontiff in their prayers during church services on Sunday. Pope Francis has been the head of the Catholic Church since 2013. He's originally from Argentina. ATLANTA - While the Pope continues to be treated for serious concerns, many Catholics in Atlanta say they're keeping him in their prayers. What they're saying Pope Francis is on many local Catholics' minds. FOX 5 Atlanta met up with parishioners in metro Atlanta on Sunday as the pope remains in the hospital in critical condition. "I hate it for him, and I'm definitely praying for him to have a speedy recovery," Ruan Gordy said. "All the community here, we're offering our intentions during the mass. Obviously, we hope that he continues to recover here," Father Joe Wagner, the pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, explained. "It's a very sad situation. Very sad. He's been a dynamic pope. He has introduced a lot of changes into the church," Lou Kuntz added. The backstory Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 for breathing problems. He's since been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs. On Saturday, the Vatican said Pope Francis suffered an asthmatic respiratory crisis and received a blood transfusion and a high flow of oxygen. On Sunday, the Vatican said the Pope is still getting oxygen treatment but hasn't had any other respiratory crises. It also said he has mild kidney failure. The pope also held mass Sunday in his apartment at the hospital. RELATED: What happens if Pope Francis resigns? The Source FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Kim Leoffler interviewed Father Joe Wagner, the pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and some parishioners for this story. Other information about the pope's current condition was reported by the Vatican.
