Accuser angered over Vatican exonerating monsignor

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man who accused a high-ranking Roman Catholic monsignor in Los Angeles of molestation says he is furious that an internal Vatican tribunal recently exonerated the priest.

The 58-year-old man, who requested anonymity, said Wednesday Msgr. Richard Loomis molested him when he was a teenager at a Catholic high school where Loomis taught.

Loomis had been on leave since the man accused him in 2003. Charles Renati, an attorney representing Loomis in the church trial, says Loomis is innocent and is relieved at the ruling.

The alleged victim says he was never contacted by the Vatican tribunal and was unaware it had been examining the case for a decade. He spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he said he hasn’t told his adult children the allegations.