Fr. Rudolf John Renteria

Ordained: 1979
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Fort Worth TX

“Rudy.” Accused of the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old boy in 1981. The bishop confronted him; Renteria said could not admit or deny the abuse because of alcohol. He was reassigned several times. After a “series of incidents involving disruptive behavior and alcohol abuse” at one parish, he was sent for treatment to Southdown and then assigned as hospital chaplain, beginning in 1987. Barred from ministry in 2002. The bishop asked the Vatican to laicize him. A lawsuit filed in 3/2009 claimed abuse in 1981. It settled 6/30/2010. Renteria was laicized 12/10/2010. Added to in 12/2025 to the Gallup diocese’s list of credibly accused, where he was assigned to parishes in 1977 and 1978.

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