UNITED STATES
BishopAccountability.org

Summary of Case: Louis Wayne Ladenburger was ordained a Franciscan priest of the Province of Santa Barbara CA in 1963. He worked in parishes, high schools and retreat centers in dioceses including Stockton, Oakland and Sacramento CA, Phoenix AZ, Portland OR, El Paso TX (in NM), Spokane and Seattle WA, and Reno-Las Vegas NV. He earned a doctorate degree in divinity from the University of California at Berkeley and became a licensed marriage and family as well as chemical dependency therapist. Ladenburger was treated twice in the 1980s for what the Franciscans called “inappropriate professional behavior and relationships.” He was was allowed both times to return to ministry. In 1993 his order restricted Ladenburger’s ministry after they had him undergo another psychological evaluation due to “heightened concern and new awareness of abuse issues.” Ladenburger refused the restrictions and went on leave of absence. He asked for…