Former Catholic Priest Charged With Sexually Assaulting 4 Boys

REDONDO BEACH, CA — A former Redondo Beach Catholic priest was charged with sexually assaulting four boys at two different parishes in California dating back more than two decades, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced Wednesday.

“The victims were innocent children who have spent most of their lives with the trauma caused by the abuse alleged in this case,” District Attorney Gascón said. “My office is committed to holding accountable anyone who abuses and takes advantage of our children, especially when they hold a position of trust.”

Christopher John Cunningham, 58, was charged with 12 felony counts of lewd act upon a child under the age of 14, according to the district attorney's office. Arraignment will be scheduled for a later date. The case was filed for a warrant on April 2.

Cunningham worked as an associate pastor at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Palmdale. He is accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old boy on two occasions between November 1995 and September 1997, according to the district attorney's office. Cunningham also allegedly sexually assaulted a boy at the victim’s home sometime between June 1996 and June 1998.

Cunningham also worked at Saint Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church in Redondo Beach. He is accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy on two occasions between July 1998 and January 2001. During that same time, he allegedly sexually assaulted a 10-year-old boy on multiple occasions.

The case remains under investigation by the Special Victims Bureau of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone with additional information or any additional victims were urged to call the bureau at (562) 946-8531.