Former priest admits to hiding abuse

SEATTLE, May 14 (UPI) -- The Rev. Patrick O'Donnell has admitted he hid the fact he molested at least six boys while serving at a Seattle church decades ago.

Testifying in King County Superior Court Wednesday, O'Donnell said he was not open with the people of Seattle regarding the late 1970s instances of abuses as he was hoping to enjoy a normal life, The Seattle Times said.

"I guess I was hiding it, yes," O'Donnell, 66, said.

O'Donnell has admitted to molesting at least 30 boys and is currently the focus of a lawsuit filed by two of his former victims.

The two men suing the Seattle Archdiocese allege archdiocesan officials knew about O'Donnell's illicit activities during his time at St. Paul's church in Seattle. Lawyers for the archdiocese have denied such allegations and questioned O'Donnell Wednesday in hopes of supporting their claims.

O'Donnell testified he did not know of any complaints made to St. Paul's officials between 1976 to 1978 regarding his illegal activities, the Times reported.