Fr. Claude Riffel

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1940
Status: Sued

Died: 01/1/1977
Diocese: Archdiocese of Portland OR

A suit filed in 2/2009 alleged abuse of a youth at St. Francis Minor Seminary in Troutdale, OR in the early 1960s. Riffel was dean of discipline for the school and would allegedly call the teenager out of class to abuse him. Also believed to have abused in Santa Barbara, CA 1941-1942 and 1975-1976. Died in 1977. Included on the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans’ list 5/31/2019. On the Las Cruces diocese’s list 6/24/2019, where he was assigned in 1968.


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