Showing Faith in a Priest : Education: More than 350 parents and students rally behind former principal Michael Harris, accused of sexual misconduct.

At an emotion-filled rally Friday afternoon, more than 350 parents, students and alumni of Santa Margarita High School gathered in support of Msgr. Michael Harris, the school’s former principal, who has been accused by two former students of sexual misconduct.

At one point during the 45-minute gathering, an airplane towing a banner in support of Harris flew over Santa Margarita Lake.

Despite Harris’ absence from the rally, the crowd sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” held up signs urging passing cars to honk in support of Harris and lined up to speak in defense of the school’s founding principal, who they contend has been unjustly accused.

Laguna Hills resident Barbara Ortiz’s voice quavered as she spoke of Harris, whom she called “the backbone of my son’s high school career.”

“I hate to see anyone accused of something and assumed guilty before any proof has been given,” Ortiz said. “It’s slanderous, a defamation of character and it’s cruel. It’s cruelty.”

Harris, 47, had been principal of the school since it opened in 1987. In January, he was asked to step down by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of sexual improprieties. When he refused the bishop’s order to get counseling, his right to “function as a priest” was revoked.

Those at Friday’s rally said they wanted Harris to know that they stand firmly behind him.

“He was there for us when we were hurt or happy,” parent Art Birtcher said to the crowd. “Now, it’s time for us to be with him when he needs us the most.”

Parent Mike Carney said, “This is obviously a lose-lose situation. You have someone whose allegations can’t be proven, and a man whose denial can’t be proven. He’s denied it and we believe him.”

Harris’ departure from the school nine months ago stunned students, parents and faculty. In March, officials at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange publicly disclosed that Harris had been accused of “sexual improprieties.”

The first allegations of abuse were made last December by the mother of a former student at Santa Ana’s Mater Dei High School, where Harris was principal from 1978 to 1986.

More allegations are contained in a lawsuit filed last month in Orange County Superior Court by a former Mater Dei student who said Harris abused him during school hours.

Harris “flatly denies” the allegations, his attorney has said.

At the rally, students and former students talked of going to Harris’ house for pizza and dropping by his office after school without ever a hint of misbehavior on his part.

“I find it all really hard to believe,” said 30-year-old Jeff Kirkpatrick, who attended Mater Dei while Harris was principal there. “I knew him very well, went on trips, went to his house, and never saw anything remotely close (to the allegations). This is all so sad because he’s a great man.”

Students said there had been rumors circulating since Harris left but that they did not learn the circumstances behind his departure until last week.

“It was a shock when he left,” said 17-year-old Dave Reskey, a senior. “It’s almost like he ran away from home, leaving his children. I’d just like to tell him that he is well-loved by all.”

Said 16-year-old John Nehas, “We lost something when Msgr. Harris left. We’re not as close together. It’s definitely different.”

Mission Viejo City Councilwoman Sharon Cody, whose son, Scott, attends the school, was also at the rally.”

“He is a victim,” Cody said. “I believe in the end we will find he has done nothing wrong. But in the meantime, the real sadness is that his life will forever be changed because of this. This is not deserved.”