Community Notification Statements

By Deacon Ron Gonzalez
Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
August 19, 2013

http://diocesephoenix.org/cns-marvin-gonzalez.php

On Aug. 13, 2013, the Diocese of Phoenix received an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against Ron Gonzalez, a deacon of the Diocese of Dallas who has been serving in Arizona since 1999. The allegations relate to incidents reported to have occurred in Texas and Pennsylvania 15 to 20 years ago, prior to his arrival in Arizona.

Gonzalez, 62, assisted at St. Thomas More Parish in Glendale since 2003 and was officially assigned to the parish in January 2011. He had been the parish manager since May 1, 2013. There have been no reported allegations or incidents of any wrongdoing at St. Thomas More or elsewhere within the Diocese of Phoenix.

According to Diocese records, Gonzalez was a chaplain for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa., from 1983 to 1999, and a supervisory chaplain for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the Diocese of Phoenix from 1999 to 2010.

Gonzalez’s faculties to function in ministry within the Diocese of Phoenix have been revoked and he is no longer employed by the parish. The Diocese of Phoenix has also contacted the authorities regarding the allegations.

The Diocese of Phoenix takes these matters very seriously and urges anyone who may know of any other such misconduct, or who may have any relevant information regarding Gonzalez, to contact local law enforcement and the Diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection at (602) 354-2396.

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted and the Diocese of Phoenix encourage anyone who has experienced sexual misconduct or abuse by a member of the clergy or by any employee or volunteer of the Church to make a report to local law enforcement and to contact the Diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection.

Please keep all who were involved in these cases in your prayers for healing.