Priest Accused of Molestation 40 Years Ago

Based on information provided by the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino, a respected monsignor was charged Tuesday with molesting two teenage boys 40 years ago, prosecutors said.

Peter Hernandez Luque, the former pastor of St. Edward’s Church in Corona, is accused of molesting one teenager between 1963 and 1966 and another between 1967 and 1969, according to the complaint. If he is convicted of all charges, Luque faces a maximum of eight years in prison.

In a rare move, the diocese of San Bernardino sued the Archdiocese of Boston earlier this month, alleging that Boston officials hid the history of sexual molestation by former priest Paul Shanley when he moved to California.

In a civil suit filed against the San Bernardino diocese, Shanley is accused of molesting a teenage boy.

Luque, a 68-year-old Colton native, was not arrested, but will be notified by mail that he must appear in San Bernardino County Superior Court on May 22 for arraignment, Chief Deputy Dist. Atty. John Kochis said.

Kochis said local law enforcement agencies opened investigations into the decades-old allegations last year after the diocese of San Bernardino turned over to authorities allegations against 20 priests, including Luque.

Within days after the first victim reported the molestation allegations to the San Bernardino Police Department and they became public, the second victim came forward and filed a report against Luque with the Colton Police Department, according to Kochis and the complaint.

Luque has an unlisted telephone number and could not be reached for comment. Authorities declined to disclose his assignments at the time the crimes are alleged to have been committed.

Luque, who once served as the diocese’s vicar for Latino affairs, was placed on administrative leave last year, said the Rev. Howard Lincoln, a diocese spokesman. He resigned in February as pastor of St. Edward’s Church.

“We are saddened by these charges against a priest with so many years of outstanding service,” Lincoln said. “We have trust in our legal system that these charges will be resolved with justice.

“Our hearts go out to the many people who are affected by these allegations, most especially to all victims in general who have suffered from child abuse.”

At least two other priests -- including one who returned to his native Ireland before charges were filed and is a fugitive -- are facing criminal charges of molestation in San Bernardino County, Kochis said.

In Los Angeles County, eight priests and one seminarian are awaiting trial on charges that they molested children.