Diocese of San Jose CA - BishopAccountability.org

22 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Thomas Bettencourt

Ordained: 1976
Status: Sued

First named publicly as accused on the diocese's 10/18/18 list. Allegation reported in 1997 that Bettencourt engaged in sexual misconduct with a child while assigned to St. Justin's in 1982. Bettencourt died of AIDS 2/25/90. Lawsuit in 2021 by a man alleging he was drugged and raped at age 16 in 1981 by Bettencourt, and that he contracted HIV as a result.

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Fr. Edward Thomas Burke

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1956
Status: Convicted

Died: 02/27/2009
Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Burke admitted to his Jesuit superior in 2000 that he sexually abused a dependent adult man living/working at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, where Burke had been living since 1979. The Jesuits moved Burke but did not report the abuse to police. Criminally charged 5/9/2002; pled guilty. Sentenced 6/28/2002 to two years in prison at age 80. Claims against Burke and Br. Charles Leonard Connor SJ settled 6/4/2002 by the Jesuits for $7.5M. Died 2/27/2009. Included on the Jesuits West Province list 12/7/2018. It notes the sexual abuse of vulnerable adults 1990-2000.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Br. Charles Leonard Connor

Order: SJ
Status: Convicted

Died: 07/11/2011
Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Allegations were received by the Jesuits in 1995 and 1997 that Connor and Fr. Edward Burke were abusing two intellectually disabled adult men living/working at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos. Connor admitted to inappropriate touching; he was restricted, but the abuse was not reported to police. The case was reopened in 2000; a search warrant revealed documents showing that the abuse may have lasted 1970-2000. Connor was sent to live at at the all-boys Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose. He pleaded no contest in 2001 and served six months' home detention. The victims received a $7.5M settlement 9/4/2002. Connor was returned to Sacred Heart Jesuit Center. He was accused in 2002 of abusing Jesuit Fr. James Chevedden in 1998; Chevedden struggled with mental illness and was confined to a wheelchair. The complaint was deemed unproven by Jesuit Provincial Fr. Tom Smolich. Chevedden's psychiatrist, Dr. George Maloof, said he had "no doubt that Fr. Chevedden was accurate in what he described" and that the Jesuits were more concerned about keeping the allegation quiet than in supporting Chevedden. Chevedden died in 2004 in a fall from a courthouse parking garage; the death was ruled a suicide. He had been driven to jury duty by credibly accused Jesuit and Sacred Heart resident Fr. Jerald Lindner. Chevedden's family received a $1.6M settlement from the Jesuits. Connor died 7/11/2011. His name is included on the Jesuits West Province list 12/7/2018.

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Fr. L. Joseph Dondero

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1946
Status: Accused

Died: 06/28/1997
Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

First named publicly as accused on diocese's list 10/18/2018. Allegation in 2002 that Dondero sexually abused a child in the 1960s, while at St. Joseph's. Dondero died 6/28/1997. Included on the Jesuits West Province's list 12/7/2018. It notes sexual abuse of a minor 1961-1965, reported in 2003 and 2005. On the Stockton diocese's list, which notes he was at St. Frances of Rome in Riverbank 8/30/1986-9/14/1986.

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Fr. Raymond V. Dunn

Donate Photo

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Died: 06/3/2012
Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits West Province on its list 12/7/2018. It notes an allegation reported of the sexual abuse of a minor in 2002. It is unclear when the report was made. Dismissed 6/15/2001. Died 6/3/2012.

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Br. William C. Farrington

Order: SJ
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Removed from Jesuit High in Sacramento in 1987 after two reports of "misconduct." Had worked there since 1976. Removed in 2002 from his administrative job at Loyola Marymount U. after allegations he had abused a Jesuit High student. In 2012 a 1968 graduate of Bellarmine Prep in San Jose told the Jesuits that Farrington sexually abused him at the school in the 1960s. Farrington supervised students who lived on campus. After a letter from the school to alumni, more former students reportedly said they had also been abused. Sent in 2003 to live under supervision at the Sacred Heart Retreat Center in Los Gatos. In 2012 SNAP said four others had come forward. On the Jesuits West Province list 12/7/2018. It notes abuse 1963-1970, 1973-1975, 1981-1986, reported in 2003 and 2012. A lawsuit was filed in 1/2020 claiming abuse in the 1960s of a Bellarmine Prep student.

Fr. Don D. Flickinger

Ordained: 1964
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Ordained for the Diocese of Fresno. Permanently banned from active ministry in 2006, except for participation in funeral masses for other priests. Accused in a civil suit filed 8/9/2011 of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy at St. Frances Cabrini in San Jose in 2001. It also claimed abuse in the San Francisco and Fresno dioceses over a period of 40 years, and that church authorities were aware. The suit included statements by many other witnesses and alleged victims. A woman also sued. Another lawsuit was filed in 9/2012. All three cases settled in 9/2013. In 10/2018 Flickinger was still a priest of the Fresno diocese. Included on the San Jose diocese's list 10/18/2018, which notes allegations reported in 2002, 2005 and 2006. On Santa Rosa diocese's list 1/12/2019, where he was a Christian Brothers Novitiate chaplain 1981-1983. On the Diocese of Fresno's list of credibly accused in 8/2021. Accused in one or more lawsuits filed between 2019-2022. Reportedly in 2024, Flickinger abused a boy, age 4 1/2, in about 2000. The boy died in 2023 at age 27 of a drug overdose.

Fr. Robert A. Gray

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1988
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Convicted of sexually abusing a teenage boy while teaching him karate in 1993. Charges regarding two other boys were dismissed. Sent to jail for 160 days and given 5 years probation. Received psychiatric treatment before being returned to job in the Diocese in 1995. Removed as head of cemeteries department and placed on permanent leave in June 2002. On diocese's list 10/18/18. It notes allegations of sexual misconduct with children while at St. Justin's 1991-93.

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Fr. Arthur Harrison

Ordained: 1956
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Charged in 2003 in a Marin County for sex abuse of 10-year-old girl in 1961 at Our Lady of Loretto parish. Case dismissed 7/03 after ruling by US Supreme Court. Accused in 1988 of molesting two San Jose girls, and having affair with their mother. Not charged. Retired in 1992. Two claims settled in 6/05 as part of $21.2 mil settlement with SF Archdiocese involving 5 priests. Died 11/06. On San Jose diocese's list 10/18/18.

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Fr. Laurent Largente

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

First named publicly as accused on diocese's list 10/18/18. It notes report received in 1994 that Largente engaged in sexual misconduct with a child while assigned to St. Patrick's Cathedral 1980-83. Removed from ministry 1994. Permanently banned from ministry 2002. Died 4/13/15.

Sources:

Diocese of San Jose list 10.18.18

Fr. Alexander C. Larkin

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1967
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Placed on leave in 12/04 after allegations that he had abused two youths between 1975 and 1980 at Our Lady of the Rosary in Palo Alto. Another man said he was abused at St. William's in 1981. At least one civil suit was filed, in 12/03. Suit had settled by 4/06. Larkin remained on leave as of the same date. No criminal charges filed. On diocese's list 10/18/19. It notes that he was put on restricted ministry in 2005 and permanently banned from ministry in 2009.

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Fr. Angel Crisostomo Mariano

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1992
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Filipino. Mariano was a cross-dresser who was convicted of child molestation in 1999; he had been caught in 9/1998 performing oral sex on a teenage boy while posing as a 25-year-old woman. Served 5 months in jail. Jesuit leaders had reprimanded Mariano for sexual misconduct at least 5 years prior to the 1998 incident. The Jesuits had apparently been moving him around since 1988. After his release from prison he was moved to a Jesuit community at Los Gatos where other priests abused two mentally disabled residents. Permanently banned from ministry in 1998. Included on the Diocese of San Jose list 10/18/2018. Noted to have been dismissed from the Jesuits 11/25/2002. On the Jesuits West Province list 12/7/2018. Per the list in 2023, Mariano is deceased.

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Br. John Rodrigues Moniz

Donate Photo

Order: SJ
Status: Convicted

Died: 04/8/2008
Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Convicted in 1995 of lewd conduct with a young girl and sentenced to three years probation. Probation ended in 1998. Also ordered to pay the victim's uninsured medical expenses and psychological treatment. At the time of the abuse Moniz was living at Sacred Heart Retirement Center in Los Gatos, CA. Other priests convicted of abuse also lived there. Later moved to Vianney Renewal Center in Dittmer, MO. Died 4/7/2008. Included on the Jesuits West Province list 12/7/2018. It notes the sexual abuse of a minor in 1991, reported in 1995.

Assignments:

Jesuits West Province List 12.07.18

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Fr. George Moss

Ordained: 1943
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

First named publicly as accused on San Jose diocese's list 10/18/18. Accused of sexual misconduct with children while assigned to St. Joseph's in Mountain View 1963-76. (The parish was part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, prior to the establishment in 1981 of the Diocese of San Jose.) Reports to the diocese 2002, 2004 and 2012. Moss retired in 1976 and died in 1986.

Sources:

Diocese of San Jose list 10.18.18

Fr. Leonel C. Noia

Ordained: 1973
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Per news in 5/02 article, two boys testified in 1976 that Noia showed them pornography and rubbed their genitals during a camping trip. The boys told a family camping nearby, and police were called. Noia pled no contest to one felony charge; sentenced to jail for six months, five years probation and psych treatment. Returned to ministy in 1978. Permanently banned from ministry in 6/02. Two new allegations in 7/02, followed by civil suit filed 3/03. Both claims included in 6/05 $21.2M settlement with SF archdiocese involving five priests. Died 6/3/05. Included on diocese's list 10/18/18.

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Br. Joseph P. Nu’uanu

Order: SM
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Professed vows in 1956 as a Marianist brother, Province of the Pacific. Worked in CA and HI. Died 1/23/13. Included on the Order's 6/24/20 list of those "found to have sexually abused a minor."

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Fr. Joseph T. Pritchard

Ordained: 1948
Status: Settled

Died: 10/17/1988
Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Accused of the sexual abuse of at least 19 children, including his nephew. Dates of abuse range from 1956 to the late 1970s. Pritchard was a priest of the Archdiocese of San Francisco until the Diocese of San Jose was created in 1981. Died 10/17/1988. During 2002-2003, 23 suits naming Pritchard were filed. He is the subject of several settlements, including 10 claims in a 6/2005 $21.2M settlement with the SF Archdiocese and another 12 claims in a 7/2005 $16M settlement. Included on the diocese's list 10/18/2018. Accused in a lawsuit by the sister of a man who died by suicide in 2022 while exploring legal options regarding his abuse by Pritchard as a child.

Fr. Noel Senevirante

Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

First named publicly as accused by the San Jose diocese on its list 10/18/18. From the Diocese of Trincornalee-Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. San Jose received a report in 2002 that Senivirante sexually abused a child while assigned to St. Leo the Great School 1971-72. Permanently banned from ministry in 2002. Died 6/16/09.

Sources:

Diocese of San Jose list 10.18.18

Fr. Edward M. Stretch

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1938
Status: Accused

Died: 05/13/1970
Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits West Province on its list 12/7/2018. It notes an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, reported in 2012. No location noted; year of the alleged abuse "TBD." Worked in San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Clara, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. U.S. Army Chaplain 1942-1946. Assigned to Bellarmine Prep in San Jose 1940-1942 and 1954-1970. Died 5/13/1970.

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Jesuits West Province List 12.07.18

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Jesuits West Province List 12.07.18

Fr. Phil Sunseri

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1964
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

First named publicly as accused on the San Jose diocese's list 10/18/2018. Diocese received reports in 1987 and 2018 that Sunseri sexually abused children at St. Christopher's in 1986 and while assigned to Holy Family in 1987. Permanently banned from ministry 1988. He denied the allegations. On the Jesuits West Province list 12/7/2018. It notes an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor in 1986, reported in 2018. Dismissed from the order in 1988. Died in 1991.

Assignments:

Jesuits West Province List 12.07.18

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Fr. Hernan Toro

Ordained: 1956
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

First named publicly as accused on the San Jose diocese's list 10/18/18 list. Noted to be from the Archdiocese of Popayan, Colombia. Sexually abused a child while assigned to Our Lady Star of the Sea in Alviso in 1983. Convicted. Registered sex offender. Kept in parish ministry. Banned in 1990. Missing in the diocese's 10/18 report was the fact that Toro was currently in jail, since 10/17, accused of molesting two girls - one age between age 4 and 6 in 2011, the other age 11 in 2016. Suit filed in 2/19.

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Fr. Benedict Van der Putten

Ordained: 1992
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Member of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, which is not recognized by Roman Catholic Church nor overseen by the San Jose diocese. Retreat master at St. Aloysius Retreat House in Los Gatos 1995- 2000. Accused of molesting a teen girl there in 2000, and attempting to molest another. Sent by Society to its Switzerland headquarters. Worked briefly in the Diocese of Scranton in 2001, applied to be a priest of the diocese; denied after Vatican alerted the diocese to the Los Gatos allegations. Sent to Southdown Institute in Canada for treatment; admitted to molesting a teen girl in 2001 in Europe. Laicization announced 8/05. Moved at some point to Hawaii. On Scranton diocese's list 8/19/18. Per a 2/21 news report, Van der Putten married, had four children, divorced and moved to Oklahoma.

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PA Grand Jury Report Profile 08.14.18

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Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.