Modesto Priest Placed on Leave over Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Modesto Bee
July 11, 2015

http://www.modbee.com/news/article27026986.html

mascardo.jpg In this 1999 photo, Father Editho Mascardo, left, meets with Most Rev. Stephen Blaire and Hung Nguyen. On Friday, July 10, 2015, Blaire announced that Mascardo had been placed on administrative leave due to allegations of inappropriate conduct with a minor occurring years ago. | Joan Barnett Lee jlee@modbee.com

A priest in residence at Modesto’s Holy Family Catholic Church has been placed on administrative leave due to allegations of inappropriate conduct with a minor occurring years ago.

In a statement released Friday, the Most Rev. Stephen Blaire, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Stockton, said the allegations against Father Editho Mascardo have been reported to the Stockton Police Department.

No further information about the accusation, including the age and gender of the minor or when and where the alleged conduct might have taken place, was released.

Mascardo, also a chaplain for Stanislaus County, had served previously as an associate pastor at St. Anthony’s Church in Hughson from 2006 to 2011. He also served as parochial vicar at St. Patrick’s Church in Sonora, where in 2013, he celebrated the 30th anniversary of his ordination, according to a church bulletin.

From 1996 to 2006, he served in Stockton at St. George Church (1996-99) and St. Mary of Assumption Church (1999-2006), according to Sister Terry Davis, spokeswoman for the Diocese.

The case is being reviewed by the Diocesan Review Board.

In compliance with the Charter of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Mascardo will remain on leave pending the investigation.

Blaire asks that anyone with information about this accusation or other allegations regarding Mascardo to call Sister Barbara Thiella, the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator, at 209-466-0636 and the Stockton Police Department.