19 alleged abuse victims denounce Mexico priest

Old Basilica of Guadalupe with Mexico City. ShutterStock image

MEXICO CITY — Nineteen people have filed a criminal complaint alleging they were sexually abused by a now-suspended Mexican priest.

The group Citizens Inititative is backing the complainants, and it says they filed the complaint on Friday with prosecutors in the central Mexican state of San Luis Potosi, where priest Eduardo Cordova worked.

Initiative spokesman Martin Faz says the complaint also accuses the local archdiocese of covering up the crimes, saying it knew of the abuses since 2004.

Designated archdiocese spokesman Armando Martinez says a probe of the charges in 2008 turned up insufficient evidence.

However the church this year suspended Cordova from the ministry following new complaints and Martinez says evidence has been forwarded to prosecutors.