Fr. Vincent Ignatius Breen

Ordained: 1936
Status: Sued

Died: 12/31/1986
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Forced at age 70 in 1982 to retire, seek treatment, and leave area to avoid prosecution for fondling eight girls over a 1 1/2 year period. Possibly as many as 100 victims, 1950s-1980s. In 1967 one girl disclosed abuse by Breen to a nun, who was her school principal; the nun is believed to have informed the Diocese. Vicar General Macchi stated in 1982 that he had first heard “rumors” about Msgr. Breen three years prior. Died 12/31/1986. Civil suit filed in the early 2000s. A new suit was filed 11/2010 claiming abuse in 1980-1981. Included on the Diocese’s list in 2019. Another suit was filed in 10/2019.

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