Fr. George DeCosta

Ordained: 1964
Status: Settled

Two men filed claims in a NY court as part of the Irish Christian Brothers bankruptcy, claiming sexual abuse by DeCosta in the 1960s. The Order was in charge of Honolulu’s Damien Memorial School, where DeCosta taught during the time in question. He denied the allegations. Worked in Honolulu until assigned to St. Mary Gate of Heaven in Hilo in 1973. Was reportedly forced to retire in 2002. As of 2012, DeCosta was pastor of Hale Lokahi in Hilo and worked with teenagers via Music Ministry Alive. A civil suit was filed by two men in 3/2012. Accused in a lawsuit of raping a 5-year-old boy in 1991; the boy was a preschool student at Hale O Kamalii School in Hilo. As of 4/2016, DeCosta was accused of sexually abusing nine children. A lawsuit filed in 2013 by two men against the Diocese settled in 3/2017. DeCosta was laicized 7/29/2020.

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