Diocese of Monterey CA - BishopAccountability.org

34 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Phillip Abinate

Status: Accused

Died: 06/27/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 1/2/19. Incidents of abuse in 1970, 1971, 1975 were reported to the diocese 2003. Abinate died 6/27/08.

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Fr. Orlando Alberto Battagliola

Ordained: 1963
Status: Sued

Died: 02/17/1977
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

From Argentina. Arrived in the Monterey-Fresno diocese in 1963. Reportedly the diocese had knew of allegations against Battagliola in 1967. In the late 1990s a woman told the diocese that in 1974 Battagliola sexually abused her son, who was then a 14-year-old altar boy, in San Luis Obispo. Battagliola frequently visited their home. One night Battagliola took the boy for a drive, got him drunk, and had sex with him; the boy contracted a sexually transmitted disease. Lawsuit filed in 2003. Battagliola was found murdered in a San Francisco motel room in 2/77. He had been seen checking into the room with a young man in his early 20s. Personnel file released in 1/13. Included on the Monterey diocese's 1/2/19 list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Stuart Bede Campbell

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Order: OP
Ordained: 1930
Status: Sued

Died: 09/22/1986
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Case filed in Fresno County in 2003 or 2004 accused Campbell of abuse 1956-59, before the Diocese of Monterey was created. Included on the Los Angeles archdiocese's updated list 12/6/18; it notes a report in 2010 of incidents 1956-59 and 1978-80, and death year as 1982. On Dominicans St. Joseph Province list in late 2018; death year noted as 1986, and and that allegation was established in 2007. On Reno diocese's list 4/5/19; there 1959-76. It notes death year as 1988. Per Monterey Bishop Ryan, Campbell died in 1986. On Las Vegas diocese's list 4/12/19. On Columbus diocese's list 12/3/19. On Covington diocese's list 7/31/20 with death date 9/22/86; the Official Catholic Directory confirms this date. Included in 8/21 on the Fresno diocese's list of credibly accused. On the Dominicans Holy Name Province list in 10/26.

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Br. Marcos Capistran Chavira

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Order: CFC
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Accused of abusing at least one male student at Palma High School in Salinas. No other information found but lawsuit may be filed 1/1/14 if Calif. SB 131 goes into effect. Died at age 70 in 5/02.

Sources:

Monterey Herald 09.06.13
Monterey Herald (AP) 10.12.13

Fr. Thomas Condon

Order: SA
Ordained: 1942
Status: Accused

Died: 07/29/1983
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Named publicly as accused by the Monterey diocese on its list 1/2/19. It notes a report received in 2003 of abuse in 1959, and that Condon died 7/29/83.

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Fr. Antonio Cortes

Ordained: 1996
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Arrested 4/16/09 for unlawful sexual behavior with teenage boy and giving him alcohol. Counseled the boy for two years. Removed by Diocese from St. Mary of Nativity in Salinas. Child porn found on his computer. Pleaded no contest in 3/11 to 14 counts. Sentenced to one year in jail and probation. Released in 12/12. Warrant issued when failed to register as a sex offender. Fled to Mexico. Civil suit filed 7/11/11. Settlement with Diocese in 3/13. Court struck Cortes original answer in 6/13 and Plaintiff to seek default judgment. On diocese's list 1/2/19; noted to have been laicized.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Edward Crews

Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Named publicly as accused on the Monterey diocese's list 1/2/19. Noted to have received a report in 2002 of abuse in 1954. Died in 1985.

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Fr. Patrick J. Daly

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Status: Accused

Died: 11/14/1966
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Monsignor. From Ireland. Ordained in 1915, began work in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles the same year. Named publicly as accused on the Monterey diocese's list 1/2/19. Report to diocese in 2002 of abuse in 1958. Died 11/14/66.

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Br. Ronald “Gordon” Drum

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Order: OFM
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Named publicly as credibly accused by the St. Barbara Province Franciscans on its list in 9/20. Drum was accused in 1972 and left the order the same year. His first assignment was in 1954.

Sources:

Province of St. Barbara Franciscans List 09.08.20

Fr. Vincent Dwyer

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Order: OCSO
Ordained: 1961
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Trappist monk from Worcester, MA. In 1969 allegedly began sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl, who was a student at Santa Catalina School in the Diocese of Monterey, and continuing off and on for 13 years. In 1995 the woman reached a $75K settlement with his superiors at St. Joseph's Abbey in MA. The woman sued the Monterey Diocese and school 12/03 for failing to prevent the abuse. Accused in 1999 Dwyer had receive numerous awards and honors for his writings. Active priest until at least 2002.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Seminarian Juan Carlos Esquivel

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Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 1/2/19. Seminarian. Accused in 2007 of abuse the same year.

Sources:

Diocese of Monterey list 01.02.19
KSBW TV 01.02.19

Fr. Carl Faria

Ordained: 1988
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 1/2/19. Incidents in 1968-1971 and 1973-1976 reported to the diocese in 2002. Faculties removed in 2002.

Sources:

KSBW TV 01.02.19

Fr. Edward Fitz-Henry

Ordained: 1985
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Ordained in Ireland. Worked in Monterey for over 20 years. Removed after complaint received 1/11 of abuse at Madonna Del Sasso parish. More info received on allegation of abuse involving a minor made about 20 years prior. Review Board found earlier allegation to be credible. Civil suit filed 2/15/11 by recent accuser. Fitz-Henry denied all allegations. Civil suit settled 2/12 for $500K. Fitz-Henry also sued Diocese 2/12. Settled in 3/13. Left priesthood and requested laicization. Docs to be released in 1/14. On diocese's list 1/2/19. It notes 1990 abuse reported to diocese in 1991. Laicized.

Seminarian Luis Garcia

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Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Seminarian. Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 1/2/19. Abuse in 1982 reported to diocese in 2009.

Sources:

KSBW TV 01.02.19
Diocese of Monterey list 01.02.19

Fr. Henry Hall

Ordained: 1948
Status: Sued

Died: 07/20/2005
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

From Ireland. Ordained in Dublin then assigned to Sacred Heart in Merced CA. Pastor for 24 years of Holy Trinity in Greenfield CA. Retired in 1992 to Escondido, continuing to help out in a number of parishes. Moved to Escondido in 1997. Died in 2005. Accused in a lawsuit[s] sometime between 2020-2022 of child sexual abuse.

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Fr. Edward T. Haskins

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Ordained: 1934
Status: Accused

Died: 02/22/1981
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Named publicly as accused on the Monterey diocese's list 1/17/19. Report to diocese in 1996 of abuse in the 1950s and 1960s. Haskins died 2/22/81. Included in 8/21 on the Fresno diocese's list of credibly accused.

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Seminarian Manuel Jimenez

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Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Seminarian. Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 1/2/19. Report of abuse 1994 reported to the diocese in 1999.

Sources:

KSBW 01.02.19
Diocese of Monterey list 01.02.19

Fr. Gregory Kareta

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1956
Status: Sued

Died: 10/4/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Publicly accused in the Monterey diocese in 2003 of abuse of an 11-year-old boy in 1973-74. Three other alleged victims corroborated the charges. Criminal charges dismissed in 2003 due to Supreme Court ruling. Kareta also admitted abusing a youth in the 1960s in WI. Accuser told L.A. archdiocese in 1985; Kareta was kept active. Died 10/4/06. Personnel file released in 1/13. On the Monterey diocese's list 1/2/19. It notes a report received in 2002 of abuse in the 1970s. Included on the Fresno diocese's 8/21 list of credibly accused. Included in 10/22 on the Chicago archdiocese's list.

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Fr. Scott McCarthy

Ordained: 1974
Status: Reinstated

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Report to diocese in 2002 of abuse in 1976. Retired. Allegation initially deemed non-credible, changed to credible and faculties removed in 12/18. Named publicly as credibly accused on the diocese's list 1/2/19. McCarthy made an appeal to the Vatican. On 6/25/21 the Vatican decided that the allegation was false, that his removal from ministry was invalid and that his name was to be removed from the diocese's list of credibly accused.

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Fr. Michael McDonald

Ordained: 1941
Status: Settled

Died: 11/3/1971
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Ordained in Ireland. Incardinated in 1958 into the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno. In 2004 the Monterey diocese reached a settlement of more than $760K in a civil suit filed in summer 2003. A man alleged that he was sexually abused many times by McDonald at St. Mary of the Nativity in Salinas between 1964 and 1967, starting when he was 10. McDonald died 11/3/71. On the Monterey diocese's 1/2/19 list of credibly accused. Included in 2021 on the Fresno diocese's list.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Albert Mengon

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Former teacher at Salesian High in Richmond. Accused in court documents in two depositions taken in 2006. He allegedly abused youth at a Salesian camp. Also worked in the Oakland diocese. In 1998 and in 2005 he was working in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Last known to be working at Our Lady Help of Christians in Watsonville as of 2011.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Gilbert Roman Meyer

Ordained: 1942
Status: Accused

Died: 11/5/2020
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Monsignor. Named publicly as accused on the Monterey diocese's list 1/2/19. Abuse in 1961-1964 reported to the diocese in 2010. Included in 8/21 on the Fresno diocese's list of credibly accused. Retired in 1990. Died 11/5/20, age 105.

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Fr. Felix Migliazzo

Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Died: 05/21/2005
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Ordained for the Maryknoll Order. Arrived in Monterey in 1967, retiring there in 1987. Monsignor. Died 5/21/05. Named publicly as accused on the Monterey diocese's list 1/2/19. Report received in 2007 of abuse in the 1970s.

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Fr. Charles L. Moore

Ordained: 1964
Status: Accused

Died: 12/9/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

"Fr. Charlie." Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 1/2/19. Abuse in 1974 reported to the diocese in 2003. Moore died 12/9/07.

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Fr. Thomas J. Neary

Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 05/5/1983
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

From Ireland. Arrived in the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno in 1948, his ordination year. Elevated to Monsignor in 1969. Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 1/2/19. Report to the diocese in 2013 of abuse in 1958. Neary died 5/5/83.

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Fr. Colman O’Connor

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Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 03/3/1996
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

From Ireland. Retired in 1993 and returned to his native country. Named publicly as accused on the Monterey diocese's list 1/2/19. Report of 1979-1980 abuse to diocese 1993. O'Connor died 3/3/96.

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Fr. Joseph Pacheco

Ordained: 1957
Status: Settled

Died: 05/17/1992
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Monsignor. Sued in 2003. Accused of abuse of a youth in the 1960s at parishes in Tulare and Merced. Died in 1992. In 12/06 the diocese agreed to pay the plaintiff $750K to settle the lawsuit. Diocese said it is aware of several other victims. Name included on the diocese's list in 8/21 of credibly accused.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. John W. Pierson

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Ordained: 1972
Status: Accused

Died: 12/14/1992
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 1/2/19. Report received in 1995 of abuse 1973-79. Pierson died 12/14/92.

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Fr. Joseph Sheehan

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Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Named publicly as accused on the Monterey diocese's list 1/2/19. Diocese received a report in 1992 of abuse 1971-1975. Deceased.

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Fr. Rino Spada

Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Died: 08/20/2002
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Named publicly as accused on the Monterey diocese's list 1/2/19. Report to the diocese in 2011 of abuse 1967-69. Spada died 8/20/02.

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Fr. Paul R. Valdez

Ordained: 1982
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Report in 2002 that an 11-year-old girl told a nun in 1999 that Valdez had placed his hand on her groin during confession 12/98. Teacher and the principal embarrassed the child in class, played down the incident to CPS and warned students not to tell anyone. Police conducted a six-month investigation; no charges filed. Parents sued the diocese in 12/99; suit settled out of court. Valdez was still active in 2010. On diocese's list 1/2/19. It notes allegation reclassified in 2019 from non-credible to credible and faculties removed.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. John Velez

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Order: SM
Ordained: 1988
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Left El Paso TX diocese in 1990 under a cloud. In 1991 Monterey Diocese learned of the abuse of a youth by Velez and another priest, and met with the victim and his family. Diocese expelled Velez and notified his Order. Order recalled Velez to Mexico, sending an escort to ensure his return. Diocese says civil authorities were notified in 1991. Sued 2003 by this plaintiff. Accused of abuse in Monterey and Tucson. Monterey case settled 5/09 for $1.2M just before trial. On Monterey diocese's list 1/2/19. It notes he is deceased.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Joseph R. Watt

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Ordained: 1960
Status: Sued

Died: 08/13/2002
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Per the Official Catholic Directory, Watt was ordained for the Trappists and worked at Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky, known as Fr. M. Marion Watt. Appears to have left the Order and Abbey by 1965, assigned that year in the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno, as Fr. Joseph R. Watt. Accused in a lawsuit sometime between 2020-2022 of sexually abusing an altar boy in the mid-1970s. Watt was the lone priest during that time of Holy Eucharist in Corralitos. The suit claims Watt took the boy to gay bars in San Francisco, got him drunk and told him, "don't tell your parents or I'll cut your balls off." Watt was accused, along with Fr. Michael Marini, in a lawsuit that settled in 1985 of plying a man with drugs to get him to engage in sex acts. Both priests were assigned to St. Joseph's in Capitola during the time in question. News sources in 3/85 said both men would be leaving the parish - Watt for a long sabbatical and vacation, and Marini because of "stress." There was no mention of the lawsuit or allegations.

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Br. James Wisecaver

Order: SM
Status: Accused

Died: 10/17/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Professed perpetual vows in 1967. Taught math and science at high schools in San Jose CA, Gardena CA, Wialuko, Maui HI. Also, Dean of Students at Chaminade University of Honolulu, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the San Antonio TX Archdiocese, and Education Professor at Cal State University in Northridge. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 1/2/19. Report in 1997 of abuse the same year. Died 10/17/15 in San Antonio.

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