Fr. Lorenzo T. Ruiz

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1967
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

In a 1995 lawsuit filed in NM, a woman claimed Ruiz started a ‘girls club’ at church to find victims; he allegedly sexually abused her and others in 1978 after taking them on outings and giving them money and presents. Suit included charges against the Archdiocese of Denver and the Franciscans. Ruiz transferred from Albuquerque to Denver in 1987 and became head of Hispanic Affairs. He was abruptly removed from the post in 11/2004 and his faculties were revoked. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese list of accused on 9/12/2017. On the Franciscan Friars, St. John the Baptist Province list. Noted to have left the order and been laicized. Added to the Diocese of Gallup’s list in 11/2021. On the Cincinnati archdiocese’s list in 2/2022.


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