SAN FRANCISCO (CA)
NBC News [San Francisco, CA]
March 2, 2024
By Candice Nguyen, Michael Bott and Alex Bozovic
An NBC Bay Area investigation into a new wave of lawsuits accusing Catholic clergy of sexually abusing children
The Catholic church is once again being buried in child sex abuse accusations across California. More than 4,000 people are suing Catholic institutions across the state, enabled by a recent law that opened a window for survivors to sue their alleged abusers, no matter how far back their accusations go. Hundreds of Northern California priests are being accused for the first time, including some still working in churches and schools today. NBC Bay Area’s Investigative Unit dug through the new claims, which suggest the decades-long scandal could go far deeper than the public previously knew.
NBC Bay Area investigates into a new wave of lawsuits accusing Catholic clergy of sexually abusing children.
This page is the culmination of more than four years of reporting by NBC Bay Area’s Investigative Unit. You’ll find profiles on abuse victims we’ve interviewed over the years, responses to the new allegations from local bishops, and links to the stories we’ve published along the way.
RESPONSE FROM THE CHURCH
Archdiocese of San Francisco:
- “Archbishop Cordileone’s Statement on Unjust Media Reports” – Archbishop Cordileone’s Statement on Unjust Media Reports (vimeo.com)
- The Archdiocese’s web page on clergy abuse, its ongoing bankruptcy case, and resources for victims: https://sfarchdiocese.org/protecting-children/
Diocese of Oakland:
- Information on the diocese’s ongoing bankruptcy case and statements on the allegations: https://oakdiocese.org/chapter-11
- Resources for Survivors: https://oakdiocese.org/survivor-ministry
Diocese of Santa Rosa:
- Child and Youth Protection: https://srdiocese.org/child-and-youth-protection
- Information on the diocese’s ongoing bankruptcy case: https://srdiocese.org/chapter-11-reorganization
Diocese of San Jose:
- Protecting Children: https://www.dsj.org/protecting-gods-children/
THE ACCUSERS
More than 1,500 people have sued the Catholic church in Northern California since 2020. A similar flood of lawsuits hit the church two decades ago. We’ve interviewed more than a dozen alleged victims, some who came forward long ago, and others now speaking out for the very first time.
Here are some of their stories. https://media.nbcnewyork.com/assets/editorial/national/2024/BAY/bay-clergy-grid/index.html
Resources for victims and survivors
If a child is currently in danger, call 9-1-1 or Child Protective Services.
To report past abuse, call your local police department.
The California Attorney General’s Office is conducting an ongoing investigation into accusations of Catholic clergy abuse. Report to the California Attorney General’s Office: ClergyAbuse@doj.ca.gov.
Reach out to advocates with the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (additional resources).
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
JAN 28, 2021. New Sexual Abuse Claims Against Two Oakland Diocese Priests
MAY 11, 2021. One of East Bay’s Longest-Serving Priests Accused of Raping Child Decades Ago
JUN 22, 2022. Dozens of Northern CA Priests Facing Child Sex Abuse Claims for the First Time
JUN 23, 2022. Four Bay Area Priests Still on the Job Despite New Sex Abuse Allegations
SEP 28, 2022. SF Archbishop Cordileone Refusing Major Step Towards Transparency in Widening Sex Abuse Scandal
SEP 29, 2022. Hundreds of Priests With SF Archdiocese Accused of Sexual Abuse
DEC 19, 2022. As New Clergy Victims Come Forward, John Salberg Knows What They’re Going Through
DEC 13, 2022. Advocates Demand Oakland Bishop Add 100+ Priests to List of Alleged Abusers
DEC 2, 2022. Santa Rosa Bishop Announces Bankruptcy Plans as Diocese Hit with Wave of Sex Abuse Claim
DEC 28, 2022. Clergy Abuse Survivors Can Take Decades to Come Forward. Hundreds Are Doing So Now
DEC 30, 2022. Where is Father Castillo? New Answers on Oakland Priest Who Left Country After Abuse Claims
FEB 22, 2023. Church Sex Scandal Widens: Hundreds More Catholic Clergy Accused Across CA
MAY 8, 2023. Diocese of Oakland Files for Bankruptcy in Wake of Hundreds of Sex Abuse Lawsuits
MAY 25, 2023. Accused 2 Decades Ago and Returned to Ministry, SF Priest Faces New Allegations
MAY 26, 2023. ‘We Need to Fix It’: Bay Area Catholics Speak Out About Abuse Scandal
JUN 20, 2023. Oakland Diocese seeks to seal names of alleged predator priests in bankruptcy case
JUN 30, 2023. 2 active East Bay priests accused in recent child sex abuse suits
JUL 2, 2023. Group protests against accused priest in Orinda
AUG 1, 2023. ‘I lost my childhood’: Church abuse victims face lifetime of trauma
AUG 21, 2023. Archdiocese of San Francisco files for bankruptcy amid child sex abuse lawsuits