Diocese of El Paso TX

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Terry McKiernan February 26, 2021

33 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Santiago Alamaguer

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Ordained: 1975
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

From Mexico. Accused in a 4/12 civil suit against the Dioceses of Las Cruces and El Paso, and Our Lady of Health parish in Las Cruces. One man alleged that "Santiago" abused him in 1978 at Holy Cross Retreat Center in Mesilla Park, NM, then at the retreat center for the El Paso diocese. Suit claims other known victims. Reportedly deceased. On the Las Cruces diocese's list with full named 11/8/18. Abuse reported to the diocese in 2012, alleged to have occurred 1975-78. Noted to have worked in the diocese at Our Lady of Health in 1978. Assigned to St. Anthony Seminary in El Paso in 1975. On El Paso diocese's list 1/31/19. On the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans list 5/31/19 (spelled Alamaguer). Noted to have returned to Mexico Province in 1979 and left the Franciscans.

Assignments:

Santa Barbara Province Franciscans List 05.31.19

Sources:

Fr. Santiago Almaguer

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Order: OFM
Status: Indicted

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

From Mexico. Name also spelled Almageur and Alamaguer. Accused in a 4/2012 civil suit against the Dioceses of Las Cruces and El Paso, and Our Lady of Health parish in Las Cruces. One man alleged that "Santiago" abused him in 1978 at Holy Cross Retreat Center in Mesilla Park, NM, then at the retreat center for the El Paso diocese. The suit claims other known victims. Reportedly deceased. Included on the Las Cruces diocese's list with full name 11/8/2018. Abuse reported to the diocese in 2012, alleged to have occurred 1975-1978. Noted to have worked in the diocese at Our Lady of Health in 1978. Assigned to St. Anthony Seminary in El Paso in 1975. On the El Paso diocese's list 1/31/2019. On the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans list 5/31/2019. Noted to have returned to his Mexico Province in 1979 and left the Franciscans.

Assignments:

Santa Barbara Province Franciscans List 05.31.19

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Br. Martin Fenerty

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Order: FSC
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Per Fenerty's personnel file, a woman made a complaint of abuse against Br. Fenerty in 4/02. No date of abuse was stated and no litigation was filed. The woman alleged that Fenerty molested her on several occasions when she was ages 5 1/2 -12. The abuse allegedly occurred in Santa Fe where Fenerty was a teacher. Fenerty denied abuse but said there was an occasional hug. He was placed on leave and then "retired." Reportedly remained active in 2007,

Sources:

Times Picayune 03.04.07

Fr. Arnold Finochietto

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Ordained: 1936
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Accused in a lawsuit 11/18 of sexually abusing an altar boy, ages 6-10, almost daily at Our Lady of Health in Las Cruces in the 1960s. The abuse allegedly included fondling, masturbation and oral copulation. Assignments included Sliver City1959-60 , San Isidro in Garfield 1960-64 and Our Lady of Health 1964-75. Retired 1981. Died 1999.

Sources:

Las Cruces Sun-News 11.29.18

Fr. Lucio Lopez

Ordained: 1930
Status: Sued

Died: 08/29/1974
Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

From Spain, where he was ordained. Worked in Puerto Rico and Venezuela prior to his arrival in NM. Assigned to the Diocese of El Paso in 1947. Died in 1974. Accused in a lawsuit against the Diocese in 5/2024 of sexually abusing a child weekly during 1959-1960, while assigned to San Miguel Parish in San Miguel County, NM. San Miguel's was a mission of San Jose Parish in La Mesa, where Lopez was administrator.

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Fr. Carlos Frias

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Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

From the Philippines. Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the El Paso diocese on its list 1/31/19. It notes he was incardinated into the diocese in 1979 and retired in 2002. Died11/24/16.

Sources:

Diocese of El Paso List 01.31.19

Br. Stephen Furches

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Order: FSC
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Former principal of Cathedral High School in El Paso. Accused in an 8/12 civil suit filed in Santa Fe of abusing a male student of the school for two years in the late 1980s, and threatening to keep him from graduating if he told. On the El Paso diocese's list 1/31/19.

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Fr. Samuel Garcia

Ordained: 1967
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

First named publicly as accused on the Las Cruces diocese's list 11/8/18. Report noted to have been made in 1996 of alleged incident in 1977. Assignments included parishes in Bayard, Hurley, Lordsburg, Fairacres and Sunland Park. Removed from ministry in 1999. Laicized in 2007. On El Paso, TX diocese's list 1/31/19, which encompassed what was established in 1982 as the Las Cruces diocese.

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Fr. Lawrence E. Gaynor

Ordained: 1941
Status: Sued

Died: 10/26/1978
Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Monsignor. Reportedly sent to treatment in Jemez Springs NM in 1958, and treated at some point at St. Vincent Hospital in MO. Died in 1978. Accused in a civil suit filed 5/30/1995 of abusing a young man for several years while assigned to St. Joseph's in Lordsburg. Also accused in affidavits filed in a suit against Fr. Irving Klister of abusing at least two more youths in El Paso. Both alleged victims were students at St. Pius X School. Included on the El Paso diocese's list 1/31/2019. In 3/2024 a man filed suit, claiming abuse when he was 5 years old child by Gaynor in late 1967-early 1968.

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Fr. Jesus Goni

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Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 3/21 of sexually abusing a girl, about age 14, in 1970. Goni was the pastor of St. Genevive's in Las Cruces NM at the time of the alleged abuse.

Sources:

Las Cruces Sun News 03.11.21

Br. Kerry Guillory

Order: OFM Conv
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Accused in suit filed in NM 11/07 of abuse of a teen boy 1976-77 in Las Cruces, NM, then part of the Diocese of El Paso, TX. Guillory was running a shelter in Louisville, KY when suit filed. He denied the allegations. Suit named both Las Cruces and El Paso dioceses. Two other suits filed, in 2008 and 2009. On Las Cruces diocese's list 11/8/18. Suit filed 2/19 in NM claiming Guillory raped a 7-year-old boy 1972-74 at St. Edward's school in Carlsbad. On Lake Charles' diocese's list 4/11/19; allegations received 1986 and 2015 of abuse of multiple minors in 1983 in Jennings. On El Paso's list 1/31/19.

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Fr. James B. Hay

Ordained: 1945
Status: Sued

Died: 09/4/1974
Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Monsignor. Ordained for El Paso, incardinated into Las Cruces Diocese when it was formed in 1982. Died in 1974. A man filed suit 2006 alleging that Hay raped him and another youth in 1964 while assigned to Our Lady of the Light. The suit named El Paso diocese and Hay's supervising priest, who the accuser said ignored his requests for help. Case dismissed on SOL 1/09; plaintiff filed motion to recuse judge since he contributed to Church during the pendency of the case. Judge withdrew 4/28/09. New judge was to reopen the case 5/09. On Las Cruces diocese's list 6/24/19. In 11/18 a Catholic Elementary school named after Hay changed its name to St. Frances Cabrini Catholic School.

Sources:

Fr. Mario Islas

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Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Named publicly as accused by the El Paso diocese on its list 1/31/19. Removed from ministry 1988. Inactive. On the Dodge City diocese's list 10/1/19, where he was assigned 12/88-2/94.

Assignments:

Diocese of Dodge City Assignment History 10.31.19

Sources:

Fr. Raymond M. LaBate

Order: OSM
Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Named publicly as accused by the El Paso diocese on its list 1/31/19.

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Fr. Miguel Luna

Ordained: 1982
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Removed in 12/13 after Review Board investigated allegations of sexual harassment. Allegation in 11/16 of "sexual misconduct" with a "young female adolescent" in the 1980s. He admitted to his behavior. Sent in 1988 to Shalom Center in Houston for treatment. Arrested 6/11/18, charged with molesting and raping a girl in the late 1990s. His accuser was an altar server who said the abuse began when she was age 8 during confessions, and continued until she was age 17. On diocese's list 1/31/19. Trial in 7/19. Luna denied the charges at trial, but said he fathered a "secret baby" in Juarez. A witness testified that Luna raped her when she was age 11 and he was a seminarian in Alpine, TX. She said he would sneak into her home at night, and that she got pregnant and had an abortion. Another woman testified that Luna raped her in 1990 when she was age 30 and a St. Pius X church secretary. Found guilty 7/15/19. Sentenced to 18 years' prison and 10 years' probation, to run concurrently.

Fr. Alfonso Madrid

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1950
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Full name Jose Alfonso Madrid. From the Jesuit Province of Mexico. Died in 1982. Accused in a 6/2011 civil suit of abuse of an altar boy, ages 8-10, in the 1970s at at Sacred Heart in El Paso, TX. Madrid allegedly "mentored" the boy before molesting him on multiple occasions. Diocese denied any prior complaints against him. Suit settled at mediation in 7/2013. Another man filed suit in 8/2013 for abuse at age 8 at the same parish 1974-1975. On the Jesuits Central and Southern Province list 12/17/2018. On El Paso diocese's and San Antonio archdiocese's lists 1/31/2019. In San Antonio 1966-1970. Reported there in 1968 to have had "inappropriate contact" with a 9-year-old boy. Five additional accusers 2014-2019 alleged abuse in the late 1960s. Worked in New Orleans, LA in 1960-1961.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Jaime Madrid

Ordained: 1972
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Accused of abuse of a boy for two years, 1971-72 in rectory, car and elsewhere. Civil suit filed in 1992 said diocese knew in 1967 that other priests in diocese were pedophiles and failed to report. Madrid admitted charges. Boy pled delayed discovery in suit. Litigation settled with non-disclosure. One report says Madrid told El Paso Bishop Raymond Pena in 1992 that he had abused boy 20 years prior. Laicized 2007. Died 10/07. On diocese's list 1/31/19. Suit against diocese filed 2/19, alleging abuse, including rape, by Madrid of a 12-year-old St. Joseph's altar boy 1970-71.

Sources:

El Paso Times 10.29.07
Diocese of El Paso List 01.31.19

Fr. Manuel Perez “Benildo” Maramba

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1967
Status: Settled

Died: 07/12/2020
Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

A man filed a civil suit in 2004 in federal court in Albuquerque alleging that he was sexually abused by Maramba in 1976-1977 at a parish in NM (then part of the El Paso Diocese, later part of the Las Cruces Diocese). Maramba returned to his native Philippines in 1978. He was reportedly a "foremost" music composer of sacred text in the Philippines. A second lawsuit was filed in 2/2007 claiming abuse in the 1970s. Both settled. A third suit settled 4/1//2010. A fourth suit filed 4/13/2010 was settled in 5/2011. Included on the Diocese of Las Cruces list 11/8/2018. On El Paso's list 1/31/2019. Maramba died in 2020.

Sources:

Fr. Miguel Marin

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Ordained: 1978
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Ordained for the Diocese of Gayaquil, Ecuador. Accused in 1996 of molesting a 17- year-old boy. He and another boy spent night at rectory 4/96. Marin allegedly gave them alcoholic beverages and allowed them to watch an R-rated movie. After the boys went to sleep, Marin was said to have gotten into bed with them and attempted to "french kiss" his accuser. The boy stopped him but shortly began to exhibit signs of mental disturbance and was hospitalized. Parents filed suit on his behalf in 8/96. Settled 9/96 for $23K. On the El Paso diocese's list 1/31/19.

Fr. Pedro Martinez

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Order: SJ
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

"Pete." Died in 1996. Named publicly as accused by the El Paso diocese on its list 1/31/19. Lawsuit filed in 8/19 claims Martinez abused a boy during trips to Deming beginning in around 1968. Settled in 1/23.

Sources:

Fr. Jesse Munoz

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Ordained: 1964
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Named publicly as accused by the El Paso diocese on its list 1/31/19. Removed from ministry 1980. Died in 1988.

Sources:

Diocese of El Paso List 01.31.19

Fr. Richard M. Nesom

Ordained: 1979
Status: Accused

Died: 11/25/2002
Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Named publicly as accused by the El Paso diocese on its list 1/31/19. Deceased. Added to Las Cruces diocese's list 6/24/19, where he was assigned in 1981 (misspelled Nesome). Died 11/25/02.

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Fr. Jose Nieves

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Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Named publicly as accused by the El Paso diocese on its list 1/31/19.

Sources:

Diocese of El Paso List 01.31.19

Fr. Arthur F. O’Sullivan

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Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Died: 12/4/1973
Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Ordained for the Archdiocese of Kansas City KS, incardinated into the Diocese of El Paso in 1957. Retired in 1968, died in 1973 at age 53. O'Sullivan was head priest at St. Matthew's parish on the west side of El Paso in the 1950s-1960s, under Bishop Metzer. At least two boys accused him of abuse. He was transferred by Metzer to the Diocese of Ft. Worth. Included on the Las Cruces diocese's list of credibly accused 11/8/18 (Las Cruces was established from El Paso in 1982). It notes a report in 1993 of an incident in the 1950s. On El Paso's list 1/31/19.

Sources:

Fr. Aloysius Ochoa

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Order: SJ
Ordained: 1959
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Accused in a 2007 lawsuit of sexually abusing an altar boy, ages 10-12, in the late 1960s, at Little Flower church. Little Flower was a mission of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish. Ochoa was reportedly from Mexico. Included on the El Paso diocese's list 1/31/19. Deceased.

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Fr. Jose Alfredo Olivas

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Ordained: 1981
Status: Indicted

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Arrested and charged in 6/99 with indecency with a child during the summer of 1998. Indicted by grand jury in 8/99. Charges dismissed in 10/01 "in light of the impact on the victim" if the case went to trial and because the boy asked that case not be pursued. As of 3/02 Olivas was still on leave pending church investigation.

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Fr. Joaquin V. Resma

Ordained: 1955
Status: Settled

Died: 05/1/1983
Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

From the Philippines. Pastor of Our Lady of Health in Las Cruces NM 1978-83. (El Paso diocese until Las Cruces NM diocese formed in 1982.) Member of Society of St. John Vianney. Died 5/1/83. Accused in a 6/18 lawsuit of sexually abusing an altar boy in 1978 at Our Lady of Health. Four alleged victims joined the suit, which settled. Per the parish's website, Resma and his brother, also a priest, were magicians who "worked very well with young children and youth." A lawsuit filed in 12/18 claimed Resma raped a 10-year-old girl on multiple occasions in the late 1970s. His accuser said that when she age was 8 or 9, Resma would kiss her "like I was an adult." She said he would have girls sleepover three or four at a time in the rectory living room, then take them one at a time to his bedroom. Another suit was filed in 2021 and was set to go to trial as of 8/21.

Sources:

Fr. Marcos Rizzo-Rico

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Ordained: 1968
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 9/19 of sexually abusing an altar boy 1974-76, beginning when the boy was age 10 and Rizzo Rico was pastor of San Miguel in La Mesa. Rizzo-Rico allegedly convinced the boy's mother to allow him to live with him to protect him from his abusive father.

Sources:

Las Cruces Sun News 09.05.19

Fr. Emilio Roure

Status: Accused

Died: 08/4/1964
Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Ordained in 1920 in Barcelona, Spain. The Official Catholic Directory indicates he may have arrived in the U.S. in 1931. First worked in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, then in the Dioceses of Tucson and Gallup. Assigned to parishes in the Diocese of El Paso 1945 until his death in 1964. Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of El Paso on its list 1/31/2019. Included on the Las Cruces diocese's list of credibly accused 6/24/2019. Added in 7/2023 to the Diocese of Gallup's list.

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Fr. Marcelino Santiago

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Ordained: 1978
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Named publicly as accused by the El Paso diocese on its list 1/31/19. It notes that Santiago was working in the diocese as a priest incardinated in the Philippines. No indication as to whether he is living or deceased.

Sources:

Diocese of El Paso List 01.31.19

Sr. Katherine Marie

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Order: CDP
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/19 of abusing a child at Holy Cross Parish and School in Las Cruces NM in 1978. The school was run by the Sisters of Divine Providence.

Sources:

Las Cruces Sun News 09.05.19

Fr. Denis Tejada

Ordained: 1972
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Placed on leave in summer 2002 after a man alleged that Tejada molested him at age 11 in 1973 in the El Paso and Las Cruces NM dioceses. The man said that his parents spoke with someone at the diocese who promised that Tejada would get treatment and not be around children. No criminal charges filed. Remained in treatment out of state in 12/2003. Laicized in 2007. Included on the Las Cruces diocese's list 11/8/2018. On the El Paso diocese's list 1/31/2019 (first name spelled "Dennis.") Accused in a lawsuit filed in 7/2024 of sexually abusing a girl for four years, beginning in 1984 or 1985 when she was age 11 or 12.

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Fr. Franco Tentori

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Order: OSM
Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Named publicly as accused by the El Paso diocese on its list 1/31/19.

Sources:

Diocese of El Paso List 01.31.19

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