Priest who molested boy accused in new case

PENSACOLA - An allegation of molesting a second boy has been leveled at a Roman Catholic priest who resigned last month after admitting the first allegation.

Monsignor Richard Bowles, 74, was a priest in the Diocese of St. Augustine when the alleged instances of sexual misconduct took place 32 and 34 years ago. He resigned last month as pastor of St. Michael Church in Pensacola. He has been unavailable for comment.

Monsignor Michael Mooney, spokesman for the diocese, disclosed the second allegation Wednesday.

"We want to get the information out there in case there's anyone else," said Mooney, who previously had indicated the first allegation was an isolated case.

Bowles in August admitted he molested a boy in 1969, eight years after his ordination. The second allegation, that Bowles molested another boy during an out-of-state trip in 1971, was reported last week, Mooney said.

Mooney declined to comment on details of the allegations.

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