Catholics urged to report abuse

Christian Chavez, 8, sat close to his mother and father during Saturday’s Mass at St. George Catholic Church in Ontario as a representative from the Diocese of San Bernardino urged parishioners to tell police or church officials if they’ve been sexually abused by anyone in the church.

“It was the first time for us as Catholic church-goers to hear that kind of announcement,” said Christian’s father, Ed Chavez, 43, of Ontario. Chavez said he was surprised by the announcement but not offended. “I think it’s good. It keeps us aware of the situation,” he said.

A letter from the Office of the Bishop was read Saturday at St. George Catholic Church in Ontario, St. Joseph the Worker in Loma Linda and Our Lady of Soledad Catholic Church in Coachella, where convicted sex offender Edward Anthony Rodrigue had served as a priest. Diocese officials called on parishioners of the three Inland churches to come forward if they have been victimized by church personnel or know of anyone who has been.