Press Release

By Monsignor Gerard M. Lopez
Vicar General
Diocese of San Bernardino
September 12, 2011

[Note from BishopAccountability.org: This press release was sent via email to alumni of Aquinas High School. An image of the original email message is provided below.]

Diocese of San Bernardino
Office of the Vicar General
September 12, 2011

Dear Aquinas Alumnus,

I offer you greetings and my prayers that this 2011th year of our Lord finds you well.
You are most likely aware of the great struggle and pain that has resulted from the incidents of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy, a matter of significant public awareness over the past decade. The Roman Catholic Church and our Diocese of San Bernardino, in particular, has responded to this terrible sin with a strong commitment to protect children and young people from abuse and make our churches and schools the safest of all environments.

As part of this commitment we have pledged to be transparent and forthcoming when we receive information about abuse alleged of a priest who has ministered in our diocese. In this regard, we must share the following information with you:

The Diocese of San Bernardino has recently received information regarding an allegation of sexual abuse involving Father Robert J. Donat, a priest of our diocese who ministered in the Diocese of San Diego and the Diocese of San Bernardino from 1966 until his retirement in 2006. The abuse, which involved a male minor, is alleged to have occurred in 1973 while Fr. Donat was in ministry as a teacher at Aquinas High School. The incident is alleged to have taken place at a location out-of-state and not on or near the school campus.

Information regarding this allegation was forwarded to the Diocesan Review Board, an independent body created to review allegations of sexual abuse made against Church personnel. The Board determined the allegation against Fr. Donat to be credible.

You are receiving this communication because school records show that you attended Aquinas High School during the time in which Fr. Donat was a teacher there.

We take this opportunity, in accordance with diocesan policy, to encourage anyone who may have been abused in the past by Father Donat or any church personnel to contact the Diocesan Abuse Reporting Hotline (1-888-206-9090) or your local police agency as soon as possible.

The Church of San Bernardino remains steadfastly committed to protecting children and to healing victims of abuse.

Thank you and God bless you.

Very Rev. Monsignor Gerard M. Lopez
Vicar General
Diocese of San Bernardino