Br. Gregory Atherton

Sued in 1993, accused of abuse of three boys. Per the Los Angeles Archdiocese’s 2/2004 report, there were five accusers alleging abuse 1967-1986. Three Servite High School students alleged abuse 6/1967-1975; Atherton was assigned to the school as registrar, office manager and music director. The abuse occurred in multiple places, including on road trips from CA to Portland OR, Utah and British Columbia. The Order knew of the abuse by 1990; Atherton was working in 1990 Portland OR at the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, also called The Grotto. He was sent to the Servants of the Paraclete in NM for treatment. He was also accused of abusing in the Diocese of Orange CA where two suits were filed in 1/2003. The Diocese settled in 2005 for $4,169,325 but did not include Atherton on its list of accused priests. Reportedly in 2002 he was still a member of his order, still working at The Grotto, under close supervision. He “fully acknowledged” the abuse. His personnel file was released in 2015. The Los Angeles Archdiocese’s list in 12/2021 shows Atherton to be deceased.