Bishop Joseph A. Ferrario

Order: SS
Ordained: 1951
Status: Sued

Died: 12/12/2003
Diocese: Diocese of Honolulu HI

Ordained for the Sulpician order in in 1951. Started his career in Mountain View, CA. Moved to Hawaii in 1957 and became bishop in 1982. Accused in 1985 of the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old boy beginning in 1975. A 1991 civil suit was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. The allegations “found to be groundless by an internal church investigation.” Retired in 1993; died in 2003. A new civil suit filed in 2012 claimed abuse in 1973. The accuser reported allegations to the Diocese in 1991; no action. Named in three suits filed in 2013. Accused in 2014 suit of abuse of a minor in 1968 or 1969, after the youth told him he had been abused by Fr. William Queenan. Accused in a 4/2020 lawsuit of abuse of a boy, about ages 12-14, in 1975-1978.


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