Man Testifies Priest Molested Him

Using steady tones and specific detail, Matthew Severson testified Monday that former priest Michael Stephen Baker molested him for 10 years during the 1970s and 1980s, reading from intimate notes that he said were written by the then-cleric to back up his claims.

On the first day of Baker’s preliminary hearing in Downey on felony sexual assault charges, Severson, 35, also said that during the sex acts, the priest would “compare me to Jesus or say I’m the Son of God.”

Monday’s hearing in front of Los Angeles County Superior Court Commissioner Burt Barnett was the first time an alleged victim has testified in Los Angeles County criminal court since the church’s sexual scandal broke last year. Baker was arrested in September on 29 molestation charges.

Baker’s criminal case also represents one of Cardinal Roger M. Mahony’s thorniest problems because both acknowledged that the priest told the prelate in 1986 that he had abused two or three boys, though Baker remained in the ministry until 2000.

Mahony transferred Baker to nine parishes after learning about the priest’s history of sex abuse and later approved a secret $1.3-million settlement to two men. The victims’ attorney, Lynne M. Cadigan of Tucson, said the archdiocese insisted on a strict confidentiality clause.

Mahony arranged for Baker to retire from the priesthood in late 2000 without notifying law enforcement authorities or informing parishioners about the alleged abuses. Baker was then removed from the priesthood.

Referring to him at times as Father Mike, Severson described for more than 90 minutes Monday an escalating series of sexual assaults that took place in the rectory of two parishes and in a Palm Desert condominium, beginning when he was 7 or 8. Baker gazed at the floor during much of the testimony.

With about 15 family members, friends and former members of Severson’s parish in the court for support, Severson also read from notes that he said Baker sent to him.

In one, Baker apologized to Severson for his “immature emotions and psychosexual-screwed-up-ness [that] slashed and burned through those years of your life seeking self-satisfaction in the name of love.” In another Severson read, Baker wrote: “I’ve learned to love you more than I could ever imagine.... I’d do anything for you, even die, if you needed me.” Still another said, “I love you.... I’m sure we’ll be famous some day.”

Severson said the molestation began when he served as an altar boy for daily morning Mass at St. Paul of the Cross in La Mirada and continued when his family changed parishes to follow Baker’s transfer to St. Hillary in Pico Rivera.

Severson also recounted how he would spend overnights in the rectory with Baker, who would get up early the next morning to hear confessions or conduct Mass. Before he left, Severson said, the priest would leave $20 or $40 on a pillow or nightstand.

Severson testified that Baker bought him other gifts and later, after the molestation ended, occasionally sent him cash and checks in $100 increments.

The preliminary hearing is expected to take at least one more day.