Fr. Benedicto Ortiz

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Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Died: 05/14/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Brownsville TX

Ordained for the Diocese of Areciba, Puerto Rico. Incardinated 6/1/74 into the Diocese of Brownsville. Died 5/14/11. Named publicly as accused by the Brownsville diocese on its list 1/31/19. It notes a credible allegation received in 2016. A lawsuit filed in 2019 alleges Ortiz sexually abused two children, who were siblings, from in 1982 to 1985, beginning when the children were ages 10 and 13. The children’s mother allowed the boys to live with Ortiz in the rectory five days per week for their safety. The abuse is said to have occurred in the rectory, on trips to South Padre Island, and included plying the children with drugs and alcohol.


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