Sunday, January 05, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

SEXUAL ABUSE: Shocked parishioners left sad, mad

Despite confession, Roberts' positive impact recalled

Mark Roberts Admitted he made boys take off clothes and whipped them with cord

Many at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church for months couldn't believe their pastor had violated the trust of troubled young parishioners placed in his care.

But that changed last week when, in a reversal of typical roles, they heard Mark Roberts' confession. The suspended Catholic priest acknowledged before a judge Thursday that he abused five boys who had sought his spiritual guidance.

"Everybody was in disbelief," said Doug Rice, 58, one of the many St. Peter parishioners who watched television coverage of the court proceeding. "You didn't want to believe it, and I'm not sure I did until he actually stood in a courtroom and admitted it."

In response to questioning from District Judge Joseph Bonaventure, Roberts acknowledged Thursday that in separate incidents he made the boys take off their clothes and spread their arms in a mock crucifixion, and that he whipped them with a cord. He also admitted to ordering one to give him a massage and another to fondle his penis.

Prosecutors said the 51-year-old instructed the boys to perform the acts as penance for their sins when they visited his rectory at the Henderson parish.

On Saturday, outside the church Roberts was removed from nearly a year ago, several parishioners shared their feelings about their former pastor as they made their way to the first weekend Masses held there since he acknowledged breaching their trust and the law.

Of about two dozen parishioners interviewed before the 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. services, only two expressed anger or bitterness toward Roberts, despite his denial for months.

A few said they hoped to see him imprisoned. Others said they believe his removal from the ministry was punishment enough.

The majority said they had believed for years that Roberts was an effective and compassionate priest, and that his victimization of young Catholics had made their hearts heavy with a profound sadness.

"I was surprised because I was very fond of him," said Al Barrera, 59, who was accompanying his mother to Mass. "I felt he was an asset to the community. He had a very good rapport with his parishioners."

Barrera, a local attorney who has attended St. Peter since 1996, said he saw Roberts on Thursday.

"I was in the courthouse when he came in for his plea, and that was the hardest thing. I didn't go in the courtroom."

Several parishioners hedged when asked how they believed Roberts should be sentenced.

"Judge not lest ye be judged," said 79-year-old parishioner John Latus, echoing a sentiment expressed by others. "He was a very good priest, so it's bad and it's also very sad."

Many parishioners said although they were shocked and disgusted by the acts Roberts admitted to, they still would cherish the times he positively impacted their lives.

"He baptized our grandson, and it was just a very special celebration," parishioner Linda Rice said. "We're lifelong Catholics, and he was one of the best priests we've ever had."

Many of the Mass attendees agreed to speak only on condition of anonymity, saying they felt fellow parishioners would disapprove of them for commenting on the case.

A parishioner in his 50s said Roberts' homilies were moving, prompting him and his wife to drive seven miles from home to St. Peter even though they live much closer to St. Thomas More, another Henderson parish.

"He's human. He's fallible," he said. "Just because he's wearing the cloth doesn't mean he's better than anybody else when it comes to desire."

Others were less forgiving.

"When you're brought up a Catholic, you're taught to have respect for the priests," said a woman in her 60s who has been a St. Peter parishioner for eight years. "Now you see that this one doesn't have respect for these children, and that tears you up inside."

The woman's husband agreed, and said he didn't believe that Roberts' forced resignation from the priesthood was adequate punishment.

"I feel real bad about it, and I don't think they should force priests to be celibate because I think that's responsible for a lot of these problems," he said. "But I don't think he should get away with this. I think he should spend some time in prison."

Roberts faces a sentence ranging from probation to five years in prison when he is sentenced March 10.

He also faces a civil lawsuit in connection with the allegations, an action filed by six young men who are now all 17 to 20 years old. Also named as defendants are the Diocese of Las Vegas, Bishop Joseph Pepe and his predecessor, Daniel Walsh.