Diocese of San Diego CA - BishopAccountability.org

60 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. John M. Beatty

Order: CSV
Ordained: 1950
Status: Accused

Died: 07/9/1997
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Parish priest, high school teacher, hospital chaplain. Worked in the Diocese of Peoria until 1963, when he was transferred to San Diego. Died in 7/1997. First named publicly as accused on the San Diego diocese's 9/14/2018 list. Added to the Diocese of Joliet's list in 2/2021. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. Report in 1955 to Beatty's superior, Fr. John Burke, that Beatty fondled a St. Patrick Central Catholic High School student, age 16. Beatty was transferred. (Burke is also an accused priest.) Beatty's victim did not come forward again until he spoke with the Attorney General's investigators in 2018. In 2004 another former St. Patrick's student had reported abuse by Beatty in the early 1960s; the allegation was deemed credible, but not publicized.

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Fr. James T. Booth

Ordained: 1946
Status: Sued

Died: 01/24/2012
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

A woman filed suit in 2/2003 alleging that Booth sexually abused her when she was age 15 in the late 1960s. A second woman filed suit in 12/2003 alleging that he molested her 1965-1967. Booth left the priesthood in 1971 to marry a 19-year-old university student. He later became an Episcopal priest, living in California. He denied all allegations. His name appears on list of credibly accused released by the San Diego Diocese in 3/2007. His personnel file was released 10/24/2010. Booth died 1/24/2012.

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Diocese of San Diego List 03.30.07

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Brother Thomas

Donate Photo

Order: CFC
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Sued in 2005 by five men claiming they were sexually abused by Brother Thomas and others in the 1960s when they were children living at Boys Town of the Desert in Banning CA.

Sources:

Press-Enterprise 07.24.05

Fr. Robert Buchanan

Ordained: 1968
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Sued in 2003. Accused of abuse of a girl in 1972 at University High School. 'Retired' just about the time the allegations became public. Had been working in Reno, Nevada for years but was still part of San Bernardino diocese when he retired. Reportedly in 2006 he was "no longer in the ministry."

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Fr. Arthur Carrillo

Order: CP
Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

The Passionists announced in a letter on 3/7/2019 that the Holy Cross Province had recently received an allegation that Carrillo sexually abused a female minor in the early 1970s. Removed from public ministry pending investigation. Carrillo was assigned to Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre 1970-1975 and 1987-1994.

Sources:

Passionists Letter 03.07.19

Fr. Jose Chavarin

Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

From Mexico. Accused in 6/2008 of abusing three boys in San Diego in the 1980s. Placed on leave by the San Francisco archdiocese, where he worked for 11 years in the Metropolitan Tribunal. Chavarin denied the allegations when confronted, then fled to Mexico. Name added to San Diego diocese's list in 9/2018.

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Fr. James Creaton

Ordained: 1940
Status: Settled

Died: 07/28/1964
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

From Ireland. Arrived in San Diego in 1947, assigned to Mary Star of the Sea. Died in 1964. Creaton's personnel file was among documents released in 2010 concerning priests of the diocese accused of child sexual abuse. The release was ordered by a judge in 8/2008, as part of a large settlement.

Sources:

Settlement Documents via BA 10.22.10

Fr. Edito D. Amora

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1980
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Amora was a priest of the Dipolog diocese in the Philippines. His name is included on the list of priests with credible allegations released by the San Diego diocese 3/30/2007. Personnel file released 10/24/2010. Accused in 1991 of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl on two occasions about eight years prior while a Navy chaplain. Settled. (Name sometimes misspelled D'Amora.)

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Fr. John Joseph Daly

Ordained: 1951
Status: Sued

Died: 10/17/1989
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

From Ireland. Arrived in the San Diego diocese in 1958. Accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy at St. Joseph's in Holtville in 1977. He allegedly picked up the boy and a friend, who were hitchhiking, offered them a place to stay then orally copulated the boy during the night. The boys ran off and went to the police that night. Daly was arrested. Case was dropped after the bishop visited the District Attorney. The Diocese moved Daly out of the area. Daly had two prior arrests for sexual molestation in La Mesa and San Bernardino. He retired in 1987 and died 10/17/1989. A civil suit was filed in 2002. Case set for trial in 3/2007 but dismissed by judge in 1/2007. Daly's name was NOT on list of accused priests released by the San Diego Diocese in 3/2007. Personnel file released 10/25/2010.

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BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Nelson C. Damasco

Status: Accused

Died: 09/1/1988
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Damasco was a priest of the Nueva Segovia diocese in the Philippines. Associate pastor 9/1/1980 to 1/1/1982 in the San Diego CA diocese, which listed him on 3/30/2007 as credibly accused. San Diego's list states that he then 'left diocese to return to Philippines' but Official Catholic Directories 1983-1984 list him as Army reserve chaplain on active duty, though omitted from the index. Reportedly stationed at Fort Hood in the Austin TX diocese. Directories 1980-1981 show that before San Diego Damasco worked briefly in Jersey City at St Mary's in the Newark archdiocese. He died 9/1/1988.

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Fr. Luis Eugene de Francisco

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1931
Status: Arrested

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Extern priest from the Diocese of Cali, Colombia. Worked in the San Diego diocese 1962-1963. Accused of sexually abusing children of migrant workers. Arrested in 8/1963. San Diego Bishop Buddy told the Diocese of Cali that if de Francisco left the US and never returned, charges would be set aside. De Francisco was delivered the the border at Tijuana, Mexico and told to return to Cali. Included on the San Diego diocese's list of priests with credible allegations released 3/30/2007. Personnel file released 10/24/2010. Also worked in TX and FL. Included on the Galveston-Houston archdiocese's list 1/31/2019. It notes that De Francisco was removed from ministry in 1960. Believed to have died in the early 1990s.

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Diocese of San Diego List 03.30.07

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Fr. Donald F. Doxie

Ordained: 1952
Status: Sued

Died: 11/16/1976
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Accused in a 12/11/2003 lawsuit of sexually abusing boy 1969-1972, beginning when the boy was 15. The Diocese stated this was the only allegation. Was secretary to Bishop Charles F. Buddy 1955-1957. Worked as a Navy chaplain 1957-1961. Was vice chancellor 1961-1968. Died 11/16/1976. Personnel file released 10/25/2010.

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Diocese of San Diego list 3.30.07

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Fr. I. Brent Eagen

Ordained: 1956
Status: Sued

Died: 10/14/1997
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Monsignor. A woman claimed in a 2003 lawsuit that she was raped by Msgr. Eagen in 1972 after he befriended her at Nazareth House (an orphanage run by the diocese). Eagen was assigned as parish priest at a nearby mission. Later became Chancellor of the San Diego diocese. Died in 1997. The Diocese said he had exemplary record and no previous allegations of misconduct. The woman also alleged prior abuse at the orphanage by a nun and a handyman as well as later abuse by Fr. Robert Buchanan. Eagen's personnel file was released 10/25/2010.

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Fr. Herman Francis Flynn

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1929
Status: Accused

Died: 04/13/1977
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Born in Canada. Worked in SC, MI and VA, then in the Diocese of San Diego 1963-1977. Included on list of priests with credible allegations released by the San Diego diocese 3/30/2007. Died 4/13/1977. Personnel file released 10/25/2010.

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Fr. Michael French

Ordained: 1964
Status: Settled

Died: 06/21/1995
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

First named publicly as accused by the San Diego diocese in 9/2018, noting it received a report in 2003 of abuse of a boy in 1980. The victim received a settlement. Had been in San Diego from 1973 for study at the CA School of Professional Psychology. Per the 1988 Catholic Directory, French was a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, "Released from Diocesan Assignment." Chaplain in 1975 at a Benedictine Convent. Director of Catholic Community Services, and diocesan director of Worldwide Marriage Encounter. Died in 1995.

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Diocese of San Diego list 09.14.18

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Fr. Rudolph Galindo

Ordained: 1954
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Accused of sexual improprieties with a Vietnamese altar boy. He denied the accusations. Suspended from ministry. Civil suit filed. Archdiocese settled with the boy's family for $75K in 1985. Reassigned. Retired in 5/1986. Permanently removed in 2002 after admitting abuse of three youths. Sued by seven. Included on the San Diego diocese's list 3/31/2007. Personnel file released 10/25/2010. Per the diocese's list in 9/2018, Galindo is deceased.

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Diocese of San Diego list 03.30.07

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Fr. James A. Ganahl

Ordained: 1956
Status: Settled

Died: 02/13/2010
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Name included on a list of accused priests with credible allegations from the San Diego/San Bernardino dioceses released by San Diego 3/30/2007. Retired in 1987. Privileges removed in 11/1998. Per personnel file released 10/25/2010, Ganahl was accused of sexually abusing four girls, who were sisters, between 1961 and 1963. They told San Bernardino in 1999 and reached a settlement. The San Diego diocese reported the abuse to police in 2002 but the family chose not to pursue criminal charges. Ganahl died 2/13/2010.

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Diocese of San Diego List 3.30.07

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Fr. Paul Gill

Ordained: 1966
Status: Sued

Died: 10/29/2020
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

A civil suit filed in 9/2002 claimed Gill molested a 14-year-old boy in 1977 in a rectory and on a trip to New Hampshire. The alleged victim did not tell his parents until 2002; they then told the Diocese. Gill, who retired in 1998, was barred from public ministry at that time. Another man filed suit in 6/2003 alleging abuse in 1975. Gill's name is included on a list of priests released by the San Diego diocese in 3/2007. He died 10/29/2020.

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Diocese of San Diego List 03.30.07

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Fr. Michael K. Higgins

Ordained: 1964
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

From Ireland. Ordained for the Diocese of San Diego. Removed from active ministry in 1982 after he was accused of soliciting sex from a boy in a confessional. Higgins denied the allegation. Appealed his case to the Vatican. In 1987 Higgins sued Bishop Maher and others alleging that he was falsely accused of sexual misconduct. Higgins has said that the Vatican reversed the Bishop's decision and he is a 'retired priest.' The Diocese denied this, and said that the Pope affirmed the decision to remove his privileges. Higgins was laicized in 1999.

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Fr. Gary Michael Holtey

Ordained: 1984
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Placed on leave in 5/2004 during an investigation of an international child pornography ring. Police and federal agents searched the offices at St. Charles Borromeo Church and seized computers. Holtey pleaded guilty in 2/2005 to 10 misdemeanor counts of possession of child pornography; sentenced to 3 years probation. In 2013 he was listed on the MD Sex Offender Archive.

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Fr. Richard L. Houck

Ordained: 1965
Status: Settled

Died: 02/22/2002
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

First named publicly as accused on the San Diego diocese's 9/2018 list of credibly accused. Houck reportedly molested a 10-year-old altar boy in 1968 while assigned to Most Precious Blood in Chula Vista. The victim came forward in 2004 and received a settlement. Houck died in 2/2002.

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Fr. Patrick J. Hughes

Ordained: 1953
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

From Ireland. Accused of abuse of a 12-year-old boy there in 1974. He settled with the boy and his family. Transferred to San Diego in 1988 with a recommendation from his Irish Bishop. Had three assignments in San Diego between 1988 and 1992, then transferred to Seattle for a year. Whereabouts unknown until 2007. Pleaded guilty in Ireland in 2/2010 to abuse of one between 1979 and1983 and sentenced to a year in jail. His history matches that of "Fr. Ioannes" in the Murphy Report.

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Directory Listings

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Fr. Patrick J. Kearney

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Died: 08/4/2004
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

From Ireland. Attended seminary in El Cajon, CA. Ordained for the Diocese of San Diego. Monsignor. Retired in 1993. Died 8/4/2004. Named publicly in 2010 as accused by the San Diego diocese. Kearney's personnel file was among documents released as a non-monetary provision of the San Diego settlement, as ordered by a judge 8/29/2008.

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Fr. John Charles Keith

Ordained: 1956
Status: Settled

Died: 05/1/2003
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Ordained for the Jesuits. Incardinated into the San Diego diocese in 1961. Accused in a lawsuit of molesting a 12-year-old boy in 1985. Settled in 1999 for $95K. The alleged victim's mother said she complained repeatedly to the diocese, but no action. Keith denied all charges. He admitted to being a recovering alcoholic. Retired in 1990. Died in 5/2003. Included on the San Diego diocese's list of credibly accused 3/30/2007. New suit filed in 2008. Settled in 4/2010. Personnel file released in 10/2010.

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Diocese of San Diego List 03.30.07

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Fr. Robert S. Koerner

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1937
Status: Settled

Died: 06/25/1999
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Worked in TX (1937-1941), MT (1956-1963) and at St. Patrick's parish in Calipatriam, CA (1963-1990). Koerner died in 1999 in San Antonio, TX. In 10/2002 the San Diego bishop Brom learned that Koerner had molested several minors during his 27-year tenure there. His history was known in the parish for years. Brom apologized to parishioners. Koerner's name was included on the San Diego diocese's 3/30/2007 list of priests with credible allegations. Koerner's diocesan personnel file released was 10/25/2010. The Order's personnel files released 7/2013 show that Koerner admitted to fondling and kissing boys and girls. Named in three lawsuits in 2003, and four other settlements. Suit filed in 1/2020 under the CA Child Victims Act by five men, each alleging abuse by Koerner 1965 through the late 1980s.

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Fr. Adalbert J. Kowalczyk

Order: CR
Ordained: 1938
Status: Sued

Died: 07/10/1972
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Sued in 2002. Accused of abuse of at least one girl in a lawsuit first filed in 1993 and dismissed on statute of limitations. Worked in Chicago early in his priesthood. Died in 7/1972. Included on the San Diego diocese's list of credibly accused 3/30/2007. Personnel file released 10/25/2010. Included on the Resurrectionists' list in 10/2021. Included on the Chicago archdiocese's list in 10/2022. Named in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. William Armstrong Kraft

Ordained: 1951
Status: Settled

Died: 09/12/2001
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Monsignor. Accused of abuse of several boys and at least one girl 1953-1970s. One civil suit settled in 2001 for $250K. Numerous civil suits were filed in 2003. Retired in 1991. Died in 2001. The first suit involved allegations of abuse of a boy for five years beginning in 1969. Included on list of priests released by San Diego diocese in 3/2007. Claims settled in 9/2007 as part of a massive $198.1M settlement. Personnel file released 10/25/2010.

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Diocese of San Diego List 03.30.07

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Fr. Lawrence Kurlandski

Order: CR
Ordained: 1942
Status: Sued

Died: 01/5/1990
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Accused by a woman in a 2003 lawsuit of molesting her at St. Joseph's in Fontana 1947-1949. Kurlandski died in 1990. Included on the Resurrectionists' list of credibly accused 10/27/2021. Named in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. George Lally

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1968
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Ordained for the Diocese of Providence RI. Transferred to San Diego diocese around 1970. A man filed a civil suit in 8/2002 alleging abuse by Lally on several occasions in 1971, when Lally was assigned to St. Mary's in El Centro. Then 9 years old, the boy reported the matter to the church's pastor and Lally was transferred. The Diocese agreed to pay college costs for the boy. By the mid-1970s, Lally was no longer listed in the Catholic Directories. He left the priesthood in 1979, married a former nun, and was living in California.

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Diocese of San Diego list 09.14.18

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Fr. Justin Langille

Ordained: 1980
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Suspended in 10/2018 due to a credible allegation of 'sexual misconduct' with a teenage girl in the early 1990s. The Diocese first received the allegation in the mid-1990s. In 2002 the Diocese again reviewed the case, and Langille passed a polygraph test. He was unassigned 1996-2007, working at Contemplative Outreach International in New Jersey, then returned to active ministry in San Diego. In 2018 the Review Board found "significant new information" that led to Langille's removal. Included in 11/2020 on the Diocese's list of credibly accused.

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Diocese of San Diego List

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Fr. Michael M. MacCourt

Order: SSC
Ordained: 1923
Status: Accused

Died: 12/1/1977
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

From Northern Ireland, where he was ordained in 1923 then sent to the U.S. Worked at St Columban's in NE 1923-1924 and St. Columban's in Silver Creek NY 1924-1930. He then returned to Ireland on sick leave 1930-1938. While there he worked in parishes and as a chaplain. Sent back to the U.S. in 1938. Known to have worked in CA, NY and Silver Creek NY, where he died in 1977. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Columbans' U.S. Province on its list in 2/2022 (name spelled "McCourt.") A single allegation is noted, of abuse in 1940. Per the Official Catholic Directory, MacCourt was assigned in 1940 to St. Columban's in San Diego CA.

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Fr. Michael Victor Marron

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1930
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Priest of the Clogher Diocese in Ireland. Included on a list of priests with credible allegations against them released by the San Diego diocese 3/30/2007, where he worked in parishes 1961-1963. Marron left the diocese at the bishop's request. Personnel file released in 10/2010. A 1963 letter says that Marron was overly-familiar with children, particularly girls. Deceased. Brother of accused priest Peter J. Marron.

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Diocese of San Diego List 03.30.07

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Fr. Peter Joseph Marron

Order: OSA
Ordained: 1936
Status: Sued

Died: 03/1/1998
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Born in Ireland. Arrived in the U.S. at age 16. Name appears on a list of priests with credible allegations released by the San Diego diocese 3/30/2007. Per his obituary, Marron was assigned to St. Rita High School in Chicago IL 1937-1941, St. Mary's parish in Rockford IL 1941-1945, Navy Chaplain 1945-1969, formation community at Cole St. in San Francisco in 1970, and St. Patrick's Parish in San Diego in 1970. He retired in 1975 to St. Augustine High School Monastery and assisted at parishes around the diocese until 1993. He died in 3/1998 at age 91. Brother of accused priest Michael V. Marron. Two women sued in 1/2020, claiming Marron molested them in San Diego in 1976-1977 or 1978. Included on the Rockford diocese's list in 5/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Diocese of San Diego List 03.30.07

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Fr. Ramon Marrufo

Ordained: 1976
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Accused in a 6/2021 lawsuit of sexually abusing a boy for several years in the 1970s, beginning when the boy was a second-grader. Another Marrufo accuser received a settlement from the IRCP. Assigned to St. Peter the Apostle in Fallbrook 2010-2019. Per the plaintiff's attorneys, the Diocese knew of allegations for a year without notifying the parishes and schools where Marrufo was assigned.

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Times of San Diego 06.08.21

Fr. Malachy M. McGinn

Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Died: 12/12/1997
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Monsignor. Member of the Salesian order in Ireland prior to ordination. Ordained in Ireland for the San Diego diocese. Name appears on a list of priests with credible allegations released by the San Diego Diocese 3/30/2007. Also worked in the San Bernardino diocese. Accused in 1993 of a sexual relationship with a 21-year-old female at Our Lady of Solitude in Palm Springs in 1968, per his personnel file released 10/24/2010. Died in 12/1997. Included on San Bernardino's list 10/9/2018 of credibly accused, which notes that the Diocese was aware in 2002 of alleged abuse in 1969 and 1981.

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Diocese of San Diego List 3.30.07

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Fr. Patrick Carl McNamara

Ordained: 1980
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Received a law degree prior to ordination. Name appears on a list of priests with credible allegations released by the San Diego diocese 3/30/2007. Took a sabbatical in 1993 for studies. Took a leave of absence in 1994 and left the priesthood in 3/1995. Later married. Personnel file released 10/25/2010.

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Diocese of San Diego List 3.30.07

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Fr. Mark A. Medaer

Ordained: 1950
Status: Accused

Died: 06/3/1993
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Monsignor. First named publicly as accused on the San Diego diocese's 9/2018 list. Medaer was a c.i.c.m. priest (Immaculate Heart of Mary) until around 1959, when he transferred to San Diego. He had worked in the Dioceses/Archdioceses of Richmond VA, San Antonio TX and Philadelphia PA. He died in 6/1993. In 2002 an allegation surfaced that Medaer molested a boy in 1982 while pastor of Our Lady of Guadelupe in Calexico. The Diocese agreed to pay for the alleged victim's counseling.

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Diocese of San Diego list 09.14.18

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Fr. Ricardo Mejia

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1977
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Name included on a list of credibly accused priests released by the San Diego diocese 3/30/2007. Noted to have been removed, to have gone on a health sabbatical in 5/1998, and to have retired in 2/2006. Per the list in 11/2020, Mejia's faculties were removed in 5/1998. He died in 2016.

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Diocese of San Diego List 3.30.07

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Fr. Thomas Moloney

Ordained: 1943
Status: Sued

Died: 04/16/1986
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Monsignor. From Ireland. Ordained in 1943 for the San Diego diocese but spent his first years after ordination working in England, until the war was over. A man filed a civil suit in 12/2003 against the Diocese alleging that he was molested as a child by Moloney at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Riverside in 1963. (The area later became part of the San Bernardino Diocese.) Moloney died in 1986. Monloney's personnel file released by San Diego in 10/2010. It contained a 2002 letter from a woman to the Bishop regarding sexual harassment at Our Lady of Grace at El Cajon in the 1950s. Maloney's name was included in 11/2020 on the San Diego diocese's list of credibly accused.

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Fr. Paolino/Paul M. Montagna

Order: OSM
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

First named publicly as accused on the San Diego diocese's 9/2018 list. Worked in the diocese 1972-1975. Accused at some point of molesting two girls. Per the list, Montagna left the diocese to return to his Order in TX. Thought to be deceased.

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Diocese of San Diego list 09.14.18

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Fr. Ephren Cirilio Neri

Ordained: 1945
Status: Sued

Died: 05/30/1982
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

From the Yucatan archdiocese in Mexico. Name also spelled Ephrem. In 11/2019 a woman filed a lawsuit claiming rape at age 7 in 1958 by Neri while he was assigned to Christ the King parish in San Bernardino. He was also accused in 1958 of fathering a child, which he denied. Per the 1959 Official Catholic Directory, which reflects 1958-1959, Neri was on sick leave. The 1960 Directory shows him as at a Servants of the Paraclete retreat house in Canton, OH, followed by assignments in Fresno, CA. He was incardinated into the Fresno diocese in 1965. He was again on sick leave 1976-1982 and died 5/30/1982.

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BishopAccountability Assignment Record

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Fr. Robert Daniel Nikliborc

Ordained: 1955
Status: Sued

Died: 03/19/2006
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Accused in a 12/2003 lawsuit of abuse 1963-1965. Accused in a 2005 lawsuit of abuse of an 11-year-old boy at Boys Town of the Desert, where he was assigned 1957-1969. Spent time at the Paraclete's center in Jemez Springs NM in 1956. While running Boys Town of the Desert, he owned homes in Las Vegas and Palm Springs, living a lavish lifestyle and going by the name Robert Drew Rand. Convicted of tax evasion in 1968 and spent 97 days in jail. Reassigned in 1971 to St. Anne's in San Diego, the diocese's poorest parish; was there until he retired in 2001. Died 3/19/2006. Personnel file released 10/24/2010. Included on the San Diego diocese's list of credibly accused.

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Fr. Michael O’Connor

Ordained: 1931
Status: Settled

Died: 10/31/1965
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

From Ireland, where he was ordained in 1931 for the Diocese of Los Angeles and San Diego. Parish priest, military chaplain. Died 10/31/1965. Personnel file released 10/22/2010 by the San Diego diocese as part of a settlement with survivors of childhood clergy sex abuse.

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Assignment Record from Personnel File

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Fr. Michael Raymond O’Donohoe

Ordained: 1938
Status: Settled

Died: 08/9/1967
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

From Ireland, where he was ordained in 1938 for the San Diego diocese. Personnel file released 10/22/2010 as part of a settlement with survivors of childhood clergy sex abuse. Parish priest, Army chaplain. Left the diocese 4/10/1961, faculties revoked. A 4/7/1961 letter from the bishop to O'Donohue states "Serious complaints, indi[c]ting your conduct, have come from Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Twentynine Palms, San Diego and Chicago," and mentions "grave scandal." The bishop, however, tried to convince O'Donohue not to resign. Assigned to parish work in Tucson, AZ. Died 8/9/1967.

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Fr. Patrick J. O’Keeffe

Ordained: 1959
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Monsignor. From Ireland. Allegation in 1989. Left active priesthood in 1994. 'Retired' in 1999. Accused in lawsuits in 2003 of sexually abusing several girls, some naming both the Dioceses of San Diego and San Bernardino. Criminally charged in 2002 with abuse of a 17-year-old girl. Fled to Ireland. Charges dropped due to a Supreme Court ruling regarding the statute of limitations. The San Diego diocese filed bankruptcy a day before trial. O'Keeffe's name was included on a list of credibly accused priests released by San Diego in 3/2007. Laicized. Claims against O'Keeffe were included in a 9/2007 settlement of $198.1M. Personnel file released in 10/2010.

Fr. Emmanuel O. Omemaga

Ordained: 1983
Status: Charged

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

From the Philippines. Arrived in San Diego CA in 1990. Charged in 1993 with 40 counts of abusing a 14-year-old girl just after returning from Pope John Paul II's Mass in Denver in 8/1993. The girl's mother told the Diocese and he confessed. Surrendered his faculties in 10/1993 and fled to the Philippines. Considered a fugitive from criminal charges. A civil suit also was filed. Name included in 3/2007 on the San Diego diocese's list of credibly accused priests. Personnel file released in 10/2010. Remained a fugitive in 2024.

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Diocese of San Diego List 3.30.07

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Fr. Daniel Polizzi

Ordained: 1969
Status: Accused

Died: 07/12/2003
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Ordained for the Santa Rosa diocese. Transferred 5/30/1970 to the Diocese of San Diego. Suspended in 1996 after a hospitalized 16-year-old boy (ventilator dependent) managed to let hospital workers know he had been fondled by a priest. The Hospital reported to CPS, Diocese and police. No criminal charges pursued. In 1997 Polizzi was "permanently impeded from priestly ministry" per a Diocese statement. Polizzi denied all accusations. He died in 2003 in Haiti. His name is included on the San Diego Diocese's 3/2007 list of priests with credible allegations. On Santa Rosa diocese's list 1/12/2019.

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Diocese of San Diego List 3.30.07

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Fr. Franz Robier

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1936
Status: Settled

Died: 04/22/1994
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

From Austria. Missionary priest in Brazil for 18 years prior to his arrival in San Diego in 1955; incardinated in 1957. Treated by the Servants of the Paraclete in Jemez Springs NM in 1957, returned to ministry. Several suits were filed in 2003. Accused of abuse, including rape, of as many as 24 girls in the late 1950s-early 1960s. The area was part of the San Diego diocese at the time, later San Bernardino. Robier died in 1994. The first lawsuit set to go to trial in 3/2007 involved allegations by four sisters who were orphans from Germany when allegedly abused in the 1950s. The trial was suspended when the San Diego diocese filed bankruptcy in 2/2007. Robier's name was included on the San Diego diocese's 3/2007 list of credibly accused. Claims settled in 9/2007 as part of a $198.1M settlement. Personnel file released in 10/2010.

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Diocese of San Diego List 03.30.07

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Fr. Edward Anthony Rodrigue

Ordained: 1962
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Admitted to abusing 150 children, "four or five" boys every year of his 22-year career. Sentenced to probation in 1979 for abuse of a boy. Sentenced in 1998 to 10 years' prison for abuse of boy in 1997. Civil suits filed in 2003 by at least 19. Laicized in 1992. Released from prison in 1/2006. Name on 3/30/2007 list of San Diego/San Bernardino priests accused of abuse. Died in 2009. One suit settled 4/2010. Personnel file released 10/2010. On San Bernardino list 10/9/2018. Suit filed in 1/2020 under newly expanded SOL on behalf of five men claiming abuse as children in the 1960s and 1970s by Rodrigue.

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Rodrigue Personnel File

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Fr. David Roll

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Roll's name was included on the San Diego diocese's 3/30/2007 list of credibly accused. His faculties were withdrawn in 6/1986 and he was placed on medical leave in 7/1986. He was treated at St. Luke Institute in 1986 and at the Paraclete Center in 1987. He went on disability retirement in 3/1993. His personnel file, released 10/25/2010, shows allegations in 1976, 1986-1987 through 1993/1994 and in 2002.

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Diocese of San Diego List 3.30.07

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Fr. Joseph Rossell

Ordained: 1930
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

From Spain, where he was ordained as for the Sons of the Holy Family. Arrived in CO in 1947 and in San Diego in 1953. Incardinated into the Diocese of San Diego in 1954. Frequent transfers first three years, then assigned to St. Anthony in National City 1956-1972. Retired to Spain in 1972. Died in 1982. Name appears on list of priests with credible allegations of abuse released by San Diego diocese 3/30/2007. Personnel file released 10/25/2010. Named in a number of lawsuits. Accused in a suit filed in 1/2020 under the CA Child Victims Act of molesting two girls in catechism class.

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Diocese of San Diego List 03.30.07

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Fr. William R. Savord

Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Died: 07/19/2004
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Included on list of priests with credible allegations as released by the San Diego diocese 3/30/2007. Transferred to the San Bernardino diocese in 1984. Removed from active priesthood in 10/1988 without privileges and sent to the Servants of the Paraclete treatment center. Resigned in 8/1990 because of problems in his "past life." Died 7/19/2004. Personnel file released 10/24/2010.

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Diocese of San Diego List 03.30.07

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Fr. Edward Augustine Sheehy

Order: CSP
Ordained: 1940
Status: Accused

Died: 10/3/1988
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Ordained for the Diocese of Portland, ME in 1940. Joined the Paulists in 1950. Died in 1988. Named publicly as accused by the Paulist Order on its list 3/19/2019. Allegation received in 2003 of abuse in San Diego 1955-1957. Worked in Boston, San Francisco, Johannesburg, S.A., Los Angeles, New York and Baltimore. On the Baltimore archdiocese's list 5/7/2019. The Paulists' updated list in 10/2020 shows an allegation of abuse occurring at St. Peter's Minor Seminary in Baltimore in 1968, reported in 2020. Mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Gregory Sierra Sheridan

Ordained: 1935
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

From Spain. Ordained for the Augustinians. Worked in KS, TX, NE, CA. Arrived in San Diego in 10/1948; incardinated there in 1952. Monsignor. Retired 1983 with a letter of recommendation to a Spanish diocese. Died in 2/1991. Name appears on list of priests with credible allegations released by the San Diego diocese 3/30/2007. A woman reported in 1/2006 that Sheridan sexually abused her at age 8 in 1969. Personnel file released 10/24/2010. Two more women came forward in 5/2019 alleging abuse as girls by Sheridan over 30 years prior, at St. Jude's Shrine of the West in Southcrest. Three women filed suit in 10/2019 against the diocese alleging Sheridan abused them as young girls in the early 1960s. Lawsuit filed in 1/2020 by five men and women claiming abuse by Sheridan at St. Jude's Shrine 1957-1970. One man said he was violently raped at ages 11-13. At least one previous claim settled.

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Sister Bridgette

Donate Photo

Order: CSN
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Accused in a 2003 lawsuit of sexually abusing a girl at the Nazareth House Orphanage 1971-1972. The suit also claimed abuse by Rev. Robert Buchanan and Msgr. I. Brent Eagan. The complainant filed suit again in 2006 when the San Diego diocese stopped paying for her therapy after one year. Sr. Bridgette was reportedly deceased as of 2003.

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Fr. William D. Spain

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 07/20/1993
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Monsignor. Name included on a list of priests with credible allegations against them released by the San Diego diocese 3/30/2007. Retired in 1986 due to "ill health" and moved to Hawaii. Died in 7/1993. His San Diego personnel file was released 10/25/2010.

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Diocese of San Diego List 3.30.07

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Fr. Matthew J. Thompson

Ordained: 1928
Status: Settled

Died: 10/3/1976
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Monsignor. Name included on a list of priests with credible allegations of abuse against them released by San Diego diocese 3/30/2007. Retired in 1975. Died in 10/1976. A man came forward in 2002 to allege abuse when he was an altar boy in the late 1950s-early 1960s. There was another allegation as well. Claims included in a $200M settlement in 2007. At the request of the San Bernardino diocese and victims, in 2009 the City of Corona renamed the street it had named in his honor. Thompson's personnel file was released 10/24/2010.

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Diocese of San Diego List 3.31.07

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Fr. Victor Uboldi

Ordained: 1945
Status: Sued

Died: 04/7/2001
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

A woman filed suit in 1992 alleging abuse by Uboldi (spelled Ubaldi in some articles) when she was ages 12-17. At least one other victim came forward. Uboldi retired in 1982 because of ill health. Apparently moved to Italy. Died in 2001. His name was included on a list of priests with credible allegations released by the San Diego diocese 3/30/2007. His personnel file was released by San Diego 10/24/2010.

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Diocese of San Diego List 03.30.07

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Fr. William Valverde

Ordained: 1962
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Named in a 12/2003 civil suit filed by two men who alleged that in the mid-1970s Valverde exposed them and others to "alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and deviant sex." Included on list of priests with credible allegations released by the San Diego diocese 3/30/2007. Also worked in the San Bernardino diocese. Assigned in as chaplain in 1977 to a psychiatric hospital in Patton, CA. Per a 1977 news article, in addition to parish assignments, Valverde helped organize community counseling centers in several towns and worked with "delinquent" youths. Left active priesthood in 1983. Through clerical errors, these two plaintiffs were NOT included in the 2007 San Diego settlement; their lawsuit still existed until a settlement was reached in 4/2008.

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Diocese of San Diego List 03.30.07

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Fr. Barry Vinyard

Ordained: 1975
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

A man filed suit in 2003 alleging that he was abused as a boy by Vinyard 1978-1979 at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Calexico. Vinyard denied the allegations. Vinyard was referred to as the first actively serving priest in the diocese to be named in a lawsuit. The bishop accepted Vinyard's request for retirement status effective 1/1/2004. Vinyard's San Diego personnel file was released 10/25/2010. His name was included on the diocese's list of credibly accused.

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