Fr. Joseph Sondergeld
Monsignor. Seattle priest until Yakima diocese formed in 1951. Per 6/2003 news articles, Sondergeld was accused of abusing at least three minors. One man filed suit in 2003 alleging abuse in Yakima 1967-1968, and that Sondergeld would give him money after each act. The Diocese claimed Sondergeld, then in his 80s, was senile. Two other men came forward to claim abuse in the 1940s in Spokane. Songergeld died in 1969. A new lawsuit was filed 7/1/2013 against Yakima and Seattle. Included on the Yakima diocese’s list 7/9/2019, which notes multiple claims and lawsuits settled. One victim stated in 2022 that Sondergeld abused at least 35 in the Spokane diocese and at least 11 in Yakima.
- Spokesman Review 06.10.03
- Spokesman Review 06.11.03
- Yakima Herald-Republic 06.11.03
- Statement by Bishop Savilla of Yakima 10.14.03
- Yakima Herald Republic 01.07.07
- Spokesman Review 05.04.07
- Spokesman Review 05.05.07
- Statement by Diocese of Spokane 11.21.07
- Diocese of Spokane List of Admitted, Proven or Credibly Accused Perpetrators of Sexual Abuse 11.03.09
- Yakima Herald-Republic 07.04.10
- Yakima Herald Republic 01.15.13
- Spokesman Review 07.02.13
- Yakima Herald Republic 07.02.13
- Yakima Herald Republic 07.03.13
- Diocese of Yakima List 07.09.19
- Yakima Herald-Republic 05.09.22
Sources:
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