5-Year Probation for Priest Who Molested 4 Boys

A Roman Catholic priest convicted on 26 counts of molesting four altar boys was sentenced Monday to five years’ probation on the condition that he complete treatment at a live-in, church-run therapy program in New Mexico.

After the ruling by Orange County Superior Court Judge Luis A. Cardenas, Father Andrew Christian Andersen, 34, who was in charge of the altar boys at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Huntington Beach, was hugged by the church pastor, Father Michael Duffy, and dozens of parishioners.

“We have all suffered. I ask for healing and forgiveness not only for myself, but for my church,” Andersen, dressed in a coat and tie, later told reporters.

He said he does not know what his future holds, but he added that he is still a priest. Since his arrest in April, Anderson has been under suspension by the church.

Statement by Diocese

In a statement issued by the Diocese of Orange, Bishop John T. Steinbock, diocesan administrator, said that “until his therapy is concluded, there is little we can say about his future ministry, other than that he will never be in direct contact with children.”

The bishop added that “our hearts go out full of compassion and concern, both to the boys and to Father Andersen himself.”

Cardenas, who convicted Andersen at a non-jury trial two months ago, sentenced him to six years in state prison, but suspended it. Cardenas warned Andersen he would serve that sentence if he fails to complete the treatment program or gets into any more trouble. He also ordered the priest to stay away from anyone under 18 unless another adult is present.

In sentencing Anderson, Cardenas said he was influenced by the fact that Andersen had shown remorse and by dozens of supportive letters from St. Bonaventure parishioners on Andersen’s behalf.

Upset by Letters

But Cardenas said the letters also had upset him.

“It is obvious from these letters that many of you still refuse to believe that Father Andersen is responsible for these crimes,” Cardenas said. “Let me assure you that he is. Father Andersen has admitted his guilt. . . . For your own peace of mind, you would be better off accepting that . . . rather than cause further dissension within the church.”

But Cardenas said he was “saddened” that none of the letter writers expressed any sympathy for the victims, noting that in one case, the victim’s family felt it necessary to leave the church and to even question its religious faith.

The family members, he said, “feel they have been abandoned by the rest of the parishioners.”

Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael C. Koski had asked that Andersen be sent to state prison. Koski said later he disagreed with Anderson’s sentence. Andersen already has served about two months at a Chino state prison, where Cardenas sent him for a diagnostic study.

Report for Therapy

Andersen is to report Saturday to the Martin Villa Foundation House in Jemez Springs, N.M., which is run by a Catholic Church order called Servants of the Paracletes. The program he will enter can run from seven months to 1 1/2 years, said his attorney, William M. Monroe.

Andersen, who joined St. Bonaventure in 1982, was charged with molesting the youths--three of them who were 12 and another who was 13--between 1983 and 1986.

Two incidents occurred with one boy in 1983. When the boy’s mother complained to church officials, Andersen was ordered to seek psychological counseling. But after a year in a counseling program, Andersen later admitted, he molested three more boys between February, 1985, and March, 1986.

Waived Formal Trial

Andersen had asked Cardenas to decide on a verdict without a jury and without a formal trial, but based on available police records--in order to spare the victims from having to testify, Monroe said.

Cardenas convicted him on all 26 counts. None of the counts, however, involved more than fondling, and in none of the counts were the boys’ or Andersen’s genitals exposed. Monroe said the minimal nature of the counts obviously had some influence on the judge’s decision to grant probation.