Cardinal Daniel DiNardo Accused Of Mishandling Sexual Abuse Claim

HOUSTON — A Houston woman who filed a sexual misconduct claim in 2016 against a high-ranking official within the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese has accused Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of mishandling her case.

Laura Pontikes, 55, went to see DiNardo in his office in 2016 to formally complain about Monsignor Frank Rossi, DiNardo’s deputy at the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.

Pontikes told the Associated Press that she shared information with DiNardo detailing the level of manipulation used Rossi to lure her into a asexual relationship when she was at a vulnerable point in her personal life and marriage.

According to the AP, DiNardo assured her that Rossi would never be a priest or counsel women again. Months later, she would learn that DiNardo merely sent Rossi to a new parish in east Texas.

Her husband confronted DiNardo and was warned that the Catholic Church would respond aggressively to any legal challenge, which would cause financial hardship to Pontikes and her husband, the AP reported.

Rossi remained in service until DiNardo was forced to remove him after numerous inquiries that Rossi had been placed on administrative leave.

RELATED STORY: Police Seize Files From Archdiocese HQ In Houston

The Galveston-Houston Archdiocese has been under legal and public scrutiny since late last year when allegations of sexual abuse against former Conroe priest Manuel La-Rosa-Lopez arose.

Two months later, in November 2018, a multi-agency task force raided the headquarters of the archdiocese and seized files related to the investigation of sexual abuse on La Rosa-Lopez, as well as other priests.

In February, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston released the names of more than 40 clergy members they say were credibly accused of sexual abuse or misconduct from 1950 to the present. Rossi’s name was not among those listed.

RELATED STORY: Names Of 40+ Priests Accused Of Sexual Misconduct Released

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