Suit: Priest Allegedly Impregnates Teenager

(AP)  A Pennsylvania couple secretly videotaped a Roman Catholic priest having sex with their 18-year-old daughter in the basement of their home and are now suing, saying he got her pregnant.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday, alleges that the Rev. Luis A. Bonilla Margarito carried on a sexual relationship with the teen while he was the chaplain of Reading Central Catholic High School and she was a senior there.

The girl's parents became suspicious and installed a camera in their basement, where Bonilla and the teen were spending large amounts of time. The camera recorded the couple having sex in November 2009, after she had graduated, according to the suit.

Her parents took the video to the Diocese of Allentown, which removed Bonilla from his dual posts as chaplain and pastor of St. Joseph Church in Reading after he acknowledged an "inappropriate relationship" with the teen, according to a diocesan news release.

Bonilla was sent to a treatment facility, but "continued to have intimate contact with (the teen) during this time period and ultimately impregnated her," the suit said. She recently gave birth to a girl.

Bonilla, 41, has since left the treatment facility and now lives in Norristown. He could not immediately be reached for comment.

"He has no assignment and he has not functioned as a priest since November," diocesan spokesman Matt Kerr said Friday.

The lawsuit seeks punitive damages for breach of fiduciary duty, infliction of emotional distress and gross negligence. It names as defendants Bonilla, the diocese, the high school, Allentown Bishop John O. Barres, and former Bishop Edward Cullen.

The suit was first reported by the Reading Eagle newspaper.

[regebob]

i hope this couple bankrupt the catholics.

[enough-already]

Typical of this ridiculously litigious society. They suspected something fishy was going on, and rather than confront their daughter and/or the priest, instead they install a hidden camera to get evidence so they can sue. Don't do your job and raise you daughter with some morals and some common sense, NO, raise an immoral little tramp and wait for some poor sucker with some money, so you can cash in. What a sad state we've come to.

[ejavam07]

Why is it these 'priests' cannot keep it in their pants?

They remind me of a ***** I knew one time. She did everyone I knew, and then got angry when I wouldn't.

It was like some power trip for her. I wonder if this priest carves notches in his bed post too?

[formrusmcsgt]

Did they do a DNA test?

Maybe it was another immaculate conception and the baby has mom's and God's DNA.

Christians claim that crap happens you know.......

[bpai99]

This story is appalling. However, I'm sure some conservative Christians will say of the priest "At least he wasn't a Muslim."

[jsf14]

Can he get some paid employment and help support his kid? As for her being of age, in most states a person of any age can sue a person who takes advantage of certain positions of trust to have sex. The defendant can of course say that the plaintiff had the ability to say no.

[Harden_Tar]

She's 19? No crime there. No grounds for a lawsuit I would think. Is it morally reprehensible? You betcha.

[nehicks]

How can the parents sue if she was of age? Did the priest rape her? If not, she is a consenting adult. Maybe they should have supervised their child a bit better.

[uniquelyanonymous]

This priest has as much respect for his religion as I do. Ughh. I wonder what parish he'll be working in next. At least she was "of age."