Fr. G. Barry Ashwell

Ordained: 1969
Status: Settled

Died: 03/27/2020
Diocese: Archdiocese of Seattle WA

Accused in lawsuits of sexually abusing boys at St. Augustine’s in Oak Harbor, where he was assigned 1978-2000. Ashwell was a state-licensed foster father and some of the the boys alleging abuse were living him as foster children. The Archdiocese settled with one in 1996. Allowed to stay in ministry. Accused in a 2001 lawsuit of sexually abusing an altar boy in the 1970s at St. Joseph’s in Vancouver. Placed on leave. Three other men filed suit in 7/2005. Laicized in 2005. New suit filed 8/30/2010. By 2010 there were five known accusers. Included on the Archdiocese’s list of credibly accused 1/15/2016. Settlement in 2022 related to sexual abuse occurring in about 1976 at St. Vincent de Paul in Federal Way. Ashwell died 3/27/2020.


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