Diocese of Oakland CA - BishopAccountability.org

54 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Jeffrey N. Acebo

Ordained: 1986
Status: Sued

As a newly ordained priest, Acebo confessed to Bishop Cummins in 1986 that he had molested a 16-year-old girl. He wanted to make the 'relationship' public but Cummins refused. He sent Acebo for treatment and reassigned him. Acebo served in four parishes over the next 15 years. Named in civil suit and apology service. Included on the Diocese's list in 2019, which notes abuse 1986-1988, and that Acebo was removed in 4/2002. Given a life of prayer and penance.

Assignments:

Diocese of Oakland Assignment Record

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Bishop Floyd Begin

Ordained: 1927
Status: Sued

Died: 04/26/1977
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Ordained for the Diocese of Cleveland, where he was made Auxiliary Bishop in 1947. Bishop of the Diocese of Oakland 1962-1977. Accused in a 12/2022 lawsuit of sexually abusing a girl, age 12, once in 1968. Begin died in 1977.

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Fr. Thomas Duong Binh-Minh

Ordained: 1987
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list in 2019, which notes abuse in 1987. Removed from ministry in 4/2002.

Assignments:

Diocese of Oakland Assignment Record

Sources:

Diocese of Oakland List 06.01.19

Fr. Vincent Ignatius Breen

Ordained: 1936
Status: Sued

Died: 12/31/1986
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Forced at age 70 in 1982 to retire, seek treatment, and leave area to avoid prosecution for fondling eight girls over a 1 1/2 year period. Possibly as many as 100 victims, 1950s-1980s. In 1967 one girl disclosed abuse by Breen to a nun, who was her school principal; the nun is believed to have informed the Diocese. Vicar General Macchi stated in 1982 that he had first heard "rumors" about Msgr. Breen three years prior. Died 12/31/1986. Civil suit filed in the early 2000s. A new suit was filed 11/2010 claiming abuse in 1980-1981. Included on the Diocese's list in 2019. Another suit was filed in 10/2019.

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Fr. Donald Eugene Broderson

Ordained: 1968
Status: Settled

Died: 09/19/2010
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Accused in a 4/2003 lawsuit of molesting an altar boy many times in the 1970s. Broderson was "forced into retirement" in 1991 and officially retired later. The Diocese knew of complaints against him in 1991. Became a marriage family therapist/licensed hypnotist in Richmond, CA. Settlements in 2003. Admitted to abuse. Laicized 3/21/2005. Six brothers sued in 2007. Case dismissed then reinstated in 2/2009 by an appeals court. Dismissed by the CA Supreme Court 3/29/2012. Broderson died 9/19/2010. Included on the Diocese's list in 2019.

Fr. Kenneth J. Cabral

Ordained: 1950
Status: Accused

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

Accused of abuse at St. Catherine of Siena in Martinez 1964-1965. Absent on sick leave 1987-1991. Removed from ministry/retired 6/30/1991. Named publicly in 2004 at one of the Diocese's apology services. Died 3/3/1996. Included on the Diocese's list in 2019.

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Fr. Alexander Q. Castillo

Ordained: 2011
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

From Costa Rica. Arrived in the U.S. in 2008. Assignments included parishes in Oakley and Fremont. Teacher at St. Junipero Serra Catechetical Institute and academic dean of Escuela de Ministerios Pastorales. Director of the Diocesan Dept. of Faith Formation and Evangelization and episcopal master of ceremonies. Castillo was informed on 1/30/2019 that he had been placed on leave during an investigation of sexual misconduct toward a minor. Leave publicly announced in a 1/31/2019 press release; police were notified of the allegation 5 hours later. Fled the country. Denied the allegation. Wrote a letter to to other Oakland priests saying the situation was a "misunderstanding" and that he was "not strong enough" to prove his innocence. THe Diocese filed a missing persons report 2/22/2019. In 12/2022 the Diocese claimed to have had no contact with Castillo and to not know where his whereabouts. The police said there were actually two possible victims, abused between 2011 and 2014.

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Fr. Ricardo Chavez

Ordained: 1963
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Accused in a lawsuit settled in late 2020 for $3.5M of sexually abusing an altar boy at St. Peter Martyr in Pittsburg CA, beginning when the boy was age 10 in 2003 and continuing for over ten years. The plaintiff's attorney said that Chavez had been accused of molesting minors in the 1990s while pastor of St. Leander in San Leandro, and that the Diocese did not investigate. Further, she said Chavez was allowed to continue in active ministry for months after it received the new allegations in 10/2019. In 2019 Chavez's accuser, a former seminarian, alleged rape several years prior by Rev. Michael Van Dinh, and abuse as a seminarian in OR by Rev. Luis Lopez.

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Fr. James A. Clark

Ordained: 1947
Status: Settled

Died: 07/27/1989
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Arrested and convicted in 1963 on felony charge of oral copulation with a 19-year-old man in Santa Cruz. Given probation. Transferred to Corpus Christi parish in Fremont in 1965, where he allegedly abused "numerous" children. Retired 4/29/84. Two brothers filed suit in 12/03 alleging abuse by Clark 1968-1972. Third plaintiff filed separate suit. Clark died 7/27/89. At least one claim included as part of a $56.4M payout to 56 childhood sexual abuse survivors in 8/05.

Assignments:

Diocese of Oakland Assignment Record

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Fr. Philip Colloty

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Died: 01/10/1976
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Named publicly as accused on the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans list 5/31/2019. It notes sexual abuse of a minor in 1955, reported in 2010. Colloty died in 1976. Included on the Oakland diocese's list 6/1/2019.

Assignments:

Santa Barbara Province Francisans List 05.31.19

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Fr. Hilary Cooper

Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Named publicly as accused by the Oakland diocese on its list in 2019. Ordained for the Conception Abbey Benedictines in MO. Worked in at Mount Marty College in Sioux Falls, SD 1970-1972, Archbishop Rummel High School in Metarie, LA 1973-1975. Incardinated into the Oakland diocese 10/1/1976, where he was assigned to parishes in Oakland, Richmond and Concord. Abuse noted to have occurred in 1978. Removed from ministry in 1995. Given a life of prayer and penance.

Assignments:

Diocese of Oakland Assignment Record

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Fr. Virendra Coutts

Donate Photo

Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Named publicly as credilby accused by the Oakland Diocese on its list in 2019, under priests and deacons, without clarifying whether Coutts was a priest or deacon.

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Fr. George E. Crespin

Ordained: 1962
Status: Settled

Died: 04/7/2024
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Chancellor and/or vicar general at various times 1979-1994. Accused in a 2005 lawsuit of molesting a boy in 1975 while pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary in Union City. He denied all charges. The Diocesan Review Board found "insufficient evidence" to support allegations. Diocese paid plaintiff $600K as part of global settlement in 8/2005. Crespin admitted not reporting incidents of abuse involving other priests. Privileges as a retired priest were restored in 6/2005. A lawsuit in 12/2019 under the CA Child Victims Act by two men claims the Diocese covered-up abuse by Crespin and Rev. Stephen Kiesle at Our Lady of the Rosary in the 1970s. The man accusing Crespin said the abuse started when he was age 11, and that the priest also abused his best friend, who had recently died by suicide. Crespin died 4/7/2024.

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Fr. Sidney J. Custodio

Ordained: 1954
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Alleged in a lawsuit to have sexually abused a girl at St. Gregory Parish in San Mateo 1960-1963. Last known address was in Menlo Park.

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Fr. Pearse P. Donovan

Ordained: 1943
Status: Sued

Died: 09/12/1986
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Accused in a 2003 civil suit of molesting a boy beginning in 1978 at St. Clement, and of later passing him on to an abusive Holy Cross brother, Lawrence O'Brien. During this same time period, Donovan was being treated for alcoholism at two treatment centers. He served as Superintendent of Schools 1963-1972. Removed from ministry/retired in 1983. Died 9/12/1986. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused in 2019, which notes abuse having occurred 1978-1980.

Assignments:

Diocese of Oakland Assignment Record

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Fr. Donald W. Eagleson

Order: CSC
Ordained: 1985
Status: Settled

Died: 10/22/2004
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Accused in 4/2002 of the sexual abuse of a boy in 1971; Eagleson was a Holy Cross brother teaching at Moreau High School in Hayward at the time in question. He was ordained for the Diocese of Santa Rosa in 1985. The allegations were not revealed to parishioners or the public until 2006. A 2004 civil suit was partially settled in 2005. Died 10/22/2004. Name included on the Santa Rosa Diocese's list 1/12/2019. On the Oakland Diocese's list of crediby accused in 2019. Accused in a lawsuit[s] filed sometime between 2019-2022.

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Fr. Joseph A. Ferreira

Ordained: 1959
Status: Settled

Died: 12/21/2014
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

In a lawsuit filed in 11/2006, a woman alleged she was molested by Ferreira at Our Lady of Good Counsel in San Leandro in 1973 and 1974 when she was in her teens. She also claimed that Ferreira continued to harass and stalk her throughout the years. The case later settled out of court. A second woman filed suit in 6/2009 alleging abuse by Ferreira 1970-1972 at Our Lady of Good Counsel in San Leandro. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused in 2019. It notes that Ferreira was removed from ministry/retired 12/28/1998. He died 12/21/2014.

Assignments:

Diocese of Oakland Assignment Record

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Fr. Patrick M. Finnegan

Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 09/28/1980
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Named publicly as accused by the Oakland diocese on its list in 2019, which notes abuse in the 1960s and in 1973. Removed from ministry 2/6/1973. Married. Died 9/28/1980.

Assignments:

Diocese of Oakland Assignment Record

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Fr. George J. Francis

Ordained: 1937
Status: Settled

Died: 05/4/1998
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Accused of having raped a 7-year-old girl in 1959. His alleged victim filed a lawsuit in the early 1990s; settled in 1993. Officials denied any wrongdoing by Francis. Another suit was filed in 11/2002 by a woman who alleged that Francis sexually abused her 1979-1982, when she was ages 5-11. Settled in 1/2004 for $3 million. Both victims went public in 2002; the Diocese admitted abuse and that there were other victims. At least nine known victims. Included on the Diocese's list in 2019, which notes abuse occurring in the 1960s and in 1972. Removed from ministry/retired 4/4/1986. Died 5/4/1998.

Assignments:

Diocese of Oakland Assignment Record

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Fr. Robert E. Freitas

Ordained: 1972
Status: Convicted

Died: 11/14/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Sent to treatment and placed on restricted ministry in 1985 after two boys alleged sexual abuse. In 2002, a man told the Diocese that Freitas molested him in 1979. Police were notified. Freitas' accuser wore a wire during a meeting; Freitas admitted abuse and was arrested. Accuser filed suit. Police believe there were at least four more victims from about the same time frame. Pled guilty in 12/2002; sentenced to six months in jail and five years probation. Released in 6/2003 after a US Supreme Court ruling regarding the statute of limitations. Settlement in 11/2003. Included on the Diocese's list 2/17/2019. Laicized in 2007. Died 11/14/2011.

Br. Adrian Furman

Order: OFM
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Named publicly as accused by the Franciscans' Santa Barbara Province on its list 5/31/2019. Allegations reported in 2002 and 2010, of the sexual abuse of minors 1959-1965. Furman died in 2003. Included on the Tucson diocese's list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Santa Barbara Province Franciscans List 05.31.19

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Fr. John G. Garcia

Ordained: 1947
Status: Sued

Died: 04/5/2003
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

In 11/2022 a 34-year-old man claimed in a lawsuit that Garcia sexually abused him over two years, beginning when he was an 8-year-old altar boy in the late 1990s. Garcia was assigned at the time in question to Immaculate Heart of Mary in Brentwood. The abuse allegedly included rape. Garcia retired from the parish in 2001, after 17 years. He died in 2003. He was accused in a 12/2022 suit of raping a boy, age 12, in the late 1960s, and of telling the boy he would die if he told. Another lawsuit the same month alleged abuse by Garcia of a boy in 1974. In 12/2022 there were reportedly four known accusers.

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Br. Joseph Gutierrez-Cervantes

Order: FSC
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Left the Order in 1985. Worked at the Hanna Boys Center in Sonoma as a counselor. Dismissed from there in 1986. Accused in a 2003 civil suit of abusing a boy who was a student at De La Salle High School. Plaintiff received $4M in settlement in late 2004. Gutierrez was working as a consultant in Sonoma in the 2000s, known as Jesse Gutierrez-Cervantes. New allegations of abuse in 1986 against Gutierrez surfaced in early 2019. On the Oakland diocese's list in 2019. Lawsuit filed in 10/19 by another De La Salle alumnus claiming he was drugged and abused by Gutierrez several times 1968-72.

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Fr. A. Leo Hofstee

Order: OP
Ordained: 1932
Status: Accused

Died: 04/26/1986
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Worked from 1947 until his death in 1986 in the Philippines among lepers, having first arrived in the Philippines as a military chaplain. Named publicly as accused of child sexual abuse by the Dominicans' Holy Name Province on its list in 10/2021. It notes, "An allegation of an act of abuse was deemed established by the Provincial after consultation with the Province Review Board in 2018." (The list misspells his name "Hoffstee.")

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Fr. Domingos S. Jaques

Ordained: 1947
Status: Sued

Died: 02/18/2016
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

From India. Ordained in 1947 for the Archdiocese of Goa. Transferred in 1956 to Angola. Arrived in Oakland CA in late 1963. Worked in East Bay parishes until retiring in 1995. Moved to Fremont. Died in 2016. Accused in a lawsuit[s] sometime between 2020-2022 of child sexual abuse.

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Fr. Stephen M. Kiesle

Ordained: 1972
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Long history of sexually abusing boys and girls. Convicted in 1978 of lewd conduct for tying up and sexually abusing two boys; sentenced to three years probation. Left the priesthood in 1981. Laicized in 1987. Volunteer youth minister in the mid-1980s at St. Joseph's in Pinole. Arrested in 2002 on 13 counts of child molestation; all but two dropped in 2003 due to the statute of limitations. Sentenced in 2004 to six years in prison for abuse of a girl in 1995. May have abused at least ten girls. Kiesle said that if girls said abuse happened then he was sure it did. Released in 2009. Civil suits filed. Registered sex offender, living in Walnut Creek, CA. Two more suits with seven accusers in 8/2010. Accused in a 10/2018 suit against the Vatican of abuse 1972-1974 of a girl, ages 11-13. On the diocese's list in 2019. Lawsuit in 12/2019 alleges abuse of boy, age 10-11, in the 1970s. Suit filed 3/2/2020 claims abuse a of 5-year-old boy for over a year in Pinole in 1985. Accused in two 2/2021 suits, of abuse of a girl in one and a boy in the other, 1972-1975, in Pinole. A lawsuit filed against the diocese in 1/2022 claims abuse 1972-1975 of a young boy in Pinole. Kiesle would give the boy wine, then molest him. The victim's adult children filed the lawsuit; their father had filed suit in 3/2020, but he died a few days later of cirrhosis and the suit was dismissed. Arrested in 4/2022, charged with killing a pedestrian while driving drunk. Pleaded no contest in 12/2023. Sentenced to 6 years and 8 months in state prison.

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Fr. Ronald J. LaGasse

Ordained: 1969
Status: Arrested

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Arrested in 1984 on suspicion of molesting a 17-year-old boy at St. Raymond in Dublin. Sent to treatment. Placed on leave for a year then reassigned. Later became a chaplain in the Army Reserve. Last known to be serving as abbot of an independent Benedictine monastery in Hawaii. On Oakland diocese's list 2/17/19. Excommunicated 6/14/08.

Assignments:

Diocese of Oakland Assignment Record

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Fr. Tarcisio D. Lanuevo

Ordained: 1956
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

In 12/79, the parents of two girls, ages 7 and 2, reported to police that Lanuevo had molested their daughters at St. John the Baptist in San Lorenzo. Incardinated into the Oakland diocese 4/2/85. The girls filed civil suit in 1993. Suit claimed that Lanuevo's pastor had promised their parents that he would receive treatment and never be around children if they dropped the criminal charges. Suit eventually settled. Lanuevo continued to work in diocese until 1991. Removed from ministry 7/29/92. In 1993 he was working at V.A. domiciliary in Portland, OR. On Oakland diocese's list in 2019.

Assignments:

Diocese of Oakland Assignment Record

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Fr. Cornelius P. Leehan

Order: CSsR
Ordained: 1948
Status: Sued

Died: 12/29/1996
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Full name Cornelius Patrick or Pedraig Leehan. Accused in a 12/03 lawsuit of raping a 5-year-old boy at St. Alphonsus Liguori in San Leandro in the late 1950s-early 1960s. Also allegedly fondled the boy 7 years later, after he was reassigned to the parish. Leehan's accuser said he told his father and that his father, a friend of Leehan, told him to tell no one and to never speak about a priest that way. Leehan died in 1996. On the Oakland diocese's list in 2019. Included in 8/21 on the Diocese of Fresno's list of credibly accused, where he was assigned 1951-54.

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Fr. Gary M. Luiz

Order: CPPS
Ordained: 1977
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Assignments included St. Barnabas in Alameda, CA and St. Edward's in Newark, NJ (1980-1985). Accused in a civil suit in the early 2000s of abusing a boy at St. Edward's 1980-1986. The boy's parents said they complained to St. Edward's pastor in 1984, but Newark diocesan officials said they did not learn of the abuse until about 1990, and that they placed him immediately on leave. Luiz earned a canon law degree from Catholic University in DC in 1993. He was reportedly sent to a Berkeley, CA monastery by 1995. Per the 2017 Official Catholic Directory, Luiz was working as a canon lawyer in the Diocese of Reno. On the Oakland diocese's list in 2019. As of 7/2023, Luiz was in residence at Gaspar Mission House in Niagara Falls, Ontario, as noted in the Order's Atlantic Province's newsletter. In 10/2024 Luiz was living at the St. Charles Senior Living Community in Celina OH.

Sources:

The Argus 04.24.05
The Argus 03.30.08
Contra Costa Times 04.01.08
Diocese of Oakland List 06.01.19
Bloodlines 07.2023
Missionaries of the Precious Blood Address Book 2024

Sr. Mary Rosella McConnell

Order: PBVM
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Accused in a lawsuit sometime between 2020-2022 of sexually abusing a girl, ages 15-16, from September 1969 to June 1971. McConnell was vice-principal of Presentation High School in Berkeley 1967 through 1979. The girl was a student.

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Fr. John T. McCracken

Ordained: 1944
Status: Sued

Died: 02/1/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Parish priest and pastor, Catholic Social Services/Charities director. Monsignor. Accused in a lawsuit in 2021 of raping a boy during 1972-1974. The boy was in grades 4 and 5 and an altar boy at Queen of All Saints in Concord when the abuse allegedly occurred. The boy kept diaries at the time in which he repeated "God is doing this to me" and "God hates me." Medical records show he was treated for rectal bleeding at age 11. McCracken died 2/1/2012. Reportedly in 2023, three more people have filed suit with claims they were sexually abused as children by McCracken.

Assignments:

KNTV 05.11.21

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Fr. Michael J. McGinty

Ordained: 1931
Status: Sued

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

Monsignor. Accused in a 2022 lawsuit of sexually and physically abusing a boy, age 8 or 9, decades prior. McGinty died in 1996.

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KNTV 06.22.22

Br. Bede McKinnon

Order: OFM
Status: Accused

Died: 07/17/1998
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Named publicly as accused by the Franciscans' Santa Barbara Province on its list 5/31/2019. It notes an allegation reported in 2010 of the sexual abuse of a minor 1978-1979. Assigned at the time of the alleged abuse to St. Elizabeth's in Oakland. Entered the order in 1966. Died in 1998. On the Oakland diocese's list in 2019.

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Santa Barbara Province Franciscans List 05.31.19

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Fr. Daniel McLeod

Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Died: 12/17/2001
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Named publicly as accused by the Oakland diocese on its list in 2019. Incardinated into the diocese 4/16/70. Abuse noted to have occurred in 1969. Removed from ministry/retired 1/18/87. Died 12/17/01.

Assignments:

Diocese of Oakland Assignment Record

Sources:

Diocese of Oakland List 06.01.19

Fr. Hector David Mendoza Vela

Ordained: 2013
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

From El Salvador. Arrived in the U.S. in 2008. Pastor of Corpus Christi in Fremont CA when arrested in 3/19. Accused of sexually abusing a boy, age 14 or 15, over 18 months in 2016-17. Placed on administrative leave. Pleaded not guilty in 7/19 to 30 criminal counts; pleaded no contest in 8/19 to 5 counts in a plea agreement. Sentenced 9/27/19 to 4 years, 8 months in prison. Canonical process initiated. The victim, who said the priest also molested his brother, filed suit in 5/20. Included in 6/22 on the diocese's list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Diocese of Oakland Assignment Record

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Fr. George E. Mockel

Ordained: 1975
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Accused in a 2022 lawsuit of sexually abusing a teenage altar server in the mid-1970s. Kept in ministry as pastor of Santa Maria in Orinda. Mockel denied the allegations. Per Bishop Barber, a former federal prosecutor did an internal investigation and found the allegations to be "not credible."

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Fr. Joaquin Moreno

Donate Photo

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1981
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Named publicly as accused by the Franciscans' Santa Barbara Province on its list 5/31/2019. Allegation noted in 1996 of the sexual abused of a minor. Left the order in 2008. On the Oakland diocese's list in 2019. Included on the Stockton diocese's list 11/12/2020, which notes he was there 1991-1992, and that he was laicized in 2010.

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Br. Lawrence O’Brien

Order: CSC
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Accused in a 2003 civil suit. Abuse was said to have occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, of at least one youth, at Hayward's Moreau High School. O'Brien is deceased.

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Fr. William S. Odom-Green

Ordained: 1991
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Ordained for the Diocese of Owensboro KY. Worked in the Oakland diocese 12/1997 until 4/1999, when he was arrested for sending sexually explicit messages and pornography to a 14-year-old boy in an internet chatroom. Pleaded guilty in 7/1999 to two counts of oral copulation and one charge of attempting to send harmful material to a minor. Sentenced to two years in prison. Included on the Oakland Diocese's list of credibly accused 2/17/2019. On the Owensboro Diocese's list 4/12/2019.

Assignments:

Diocese of Owensboro Assignment Record

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Fr. Robert F. Ponciroli

Ordained: 1969
Status: Arrested

Died: 01/19/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Removed from ministry in 2/9/1995 and sent to therapy due to an allegation. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/2002 of sexually abusing a boy, age 11, in 1975 in Antioch, CA. Arrested in 2/2003 for the abuse of two brothers. Charges dropped in 6/2003 after a US Supreme Court ruling regarding the statute of limitations. The brothers filed suit in 3/2003, resulting in a $2M verdict in 4/2005. There were at least 7 other known victims, per the plaintiffs' attorney. Ponciroli admitted he was a sex addict. Laicized in 2005. Died 1/19/2009. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused in 2019.

Fr. Jesus Garcia Prieto

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1926
Status: Sued

Died: 09/4/1988
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Monsignor. Accused in a 2022 lawsuit of sexually assaulting an elementary school student in Oakland repeatedly in the 1960s. Prieto allegedly plied the boy with wine and pornographic magazines.

Sources:

KNTV 06.22.22

Fr. James E. Prindeville

Ordained: 1943
Status: Sued

Died: 10/4/2004
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Prindeville left the priesthood at some point after 1961 and married. He continued his association with the religious world, assisting former priests and religious in resume preparation and job networking. Per a 2003 civil suit, Prindeville was accused of molesting a 16-year-old girl at Bishop O'Dowd High School during 1952-1953. He denied the allegation. Died in 2004 at age 85.

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Br. Benedict Reams

Order: FSC
Status: Sued

Died: 05/23/1994
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Given name Joseph Ambrose Reams. Full religious name Ultanian Benedict Reams. Made final vows as a De Las Salle Christian Brother in 1939. Taught at Mont La Salle 1936-1946, then at St. Mary's College in Moraga 1946 until retirement in 1969. Continued at St. Mary's assisting in physics classes. Also operated a weather station throughout his time there. Played organ at St. Mary's college chapel and at St. Monica's Parish in Moraga. Died in 1994 in Napa. Accused in a lawsuit [s] filed sometime between 2020-2022 of the sexual abuse of minor[s].

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Fr. Arthur A. Ribeiro

Ordained: 1950
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

On sick leave in 1982. Removed from ministry/retired 1/1/1992. Confronted in 1996 by two priests about his sexual misconduct. As of 1/2003, three men had filed suit alleging Ribeiro sexually abused them in 1960s at All Saints in Concord. Per a 7/2004 article, there were four plaintiffs in two lawsuits. One plaintiff said he told his pastor during confession within two weeks of his abuse and that Ribeiro was then transferred and promoted. Died 10/18/2000. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused 2/17/2019.

Assignments:

Diocese of Oakland Assignment Record

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Fr. Anthony P. Slane

Order: CSsR
Ordained: 1942
Status: Sued

Died: 04/4/2010
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Named in a lawsuit as having abused at St. Alphonsus Ligorui in San Leandro, CA. Also worked in the Seattle archdiocese, including 1981-1988 at Our Lady of Good Help in Hoquiam and Sacred Heart in Seattle 1988-2002. He died in 4/2010, age 94, at St. Clement Health Care Center in Liguori, MO. Included on the Seattle archdiocese's list 1/15/2016. On the Oakland diocese's list of credibly accused in 2019. Included in 2021 on the Diocese of Fresno's list, which notes that Slane is credibly accused of abuse while assigned to St. Alphonsus 1954-1957.

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Fr. Gary B. Tollner

Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Died: 02/17/1999
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

In 1982, Tollner's sister accused him of molesting his special needs nephew, age 22, who had the mental age of 12. Parishioners spoke of "suspicious behavior" involving young boys, alcohol and drugs in the hot tub Tollner had installed on the rectory roof. Reportedly abused six children. One alleged victim is said to have become an addict by age 12 and died by suicide years later, citing abuse by Tollner in his suicide note. Removed from ministry in 1995. In 2/2004, Bishop Vigneron publicly apologized to the parish community of St. Philip Neri, Alameda. Tollner died 2/17/1999. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused 2/17/19, which notes abuse occurring in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

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Fr. Ramon Varela

Donate Photo

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Named publicly as accused by the Franciscans' Santa Barbara Province on its list 5/31/2019. It notes allegations received in 1994 of the sexual abuse of minors 1949-1979. Varela's first assignment was in 1949, in AZ. He died in 2002. Included on the Oakland diocese's list in 2019. Added to the Stockton diocese's list 11/12/2020, where he worked 1955-1960. Included in 8/2021 on the Diocese of Fresno's list of credibly accused, where he was assigned 1968-1970.

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Br. John Vas

Order: SDB
Ordained: 2024
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

In 2/2008 a woman alleged Vas molested her for nearly seven years, beginning in the 1960s when she was age seven. Vas was a Salesian brother and the band instructor at Salesian High School, where the girl's brother was a student. Vas is last known to have been living in Florida with his wife. This is reportedly the second public accusation against Vas.

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Br. Francis Verngren

Order: FSC
Status: Sued

Died: 12/12/2003
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

A man filed suit in 5/2003 alleging abuse by Verngren 1966-1970, when Verngren was principal and head dorm resident at a Catholic school in Berkeley. The man said he told another staff member in 1969, that Verngren was temporarily removed, and that he returned later to his position. The suit settled in 9/2003. Vergren died 12/12/2003. Included on the Santa Rosa diocese's list 1/12/2019, where he worked at Mont LaSalle 1969-1984 and at Justin Siena in 1984. He was a math tutor at St. Apollinaris 1990-2002. Included on the Oakland Diocese's list of credibly accused in 2019.

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Fr. Stephen Whelan

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1969
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Editor of the Salesian Bulletin in 1997. A civil suit was filed in 2003 by a man alleging abuse, including rape, by Whelan when he was a student at Salesian High School in 1969-early 1970s. Whelan's accuser said Bro. Sal Billante witnessed the abuse and said nothing, that he told a counselor and was then chastised and threatened by the school principal. Also, that school administrator Rev. David Purdy tried to get him to commit suicide. Whelan was still active in 8/2005. Civil trial started 7/7/2006. Jury awarded the plaintiff $600K on 7/19/2006. Whelan was removed from his position after the verdict and resided at the provincial house. CA Appeals Court upheld verdict in 8/2008. Removed from ministry. On the Oakland diocese's list in 2019.

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Fr. Gordon Wilcox

Order: CSC
Ordained: 1955
Status: Settled

Died: 10/4/1984
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Named in a 2004 suit against Rev. Donald Eagleson, which was partially settled in 2005. Wilcox was named as an abuser of a male student in 1971 at Moreau High School in Hayward. Died 10/4/1984. On the Oakland Diocese's list in 2019. On the Congregation of Holy Cross list 6/12/2019, which notes multiple allegations in 2003 and 2012 of abuse in CA in the 1970s. In 11/2019 a man filed suit claiming abuse in the 1970s as a Moreau Catholic High student, by both Wilcox and Br. John Moriarty. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Br. Terrence D. Wong

Order: SM
Status: Sued

Died: 04/19/1997
Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Professed vows as a Marianist brother, Province of the Pacific, in 1958. Left the Order in 1989. Accused in a civil suit of abuse at St. Joseph High School in Alameda 1967-1970. Died 4/19/1997. Included on the Oakland Diocese's list of credibly accused in 2019. On the Marianists' list 6/24/2020.

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Fr. Larry Young

Ordained: 1981
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 9/2022 of sexually abusing a boy, age 6-7, in the mid-1980s at St. Raymond's in Dublin CA. Kept in ministry as pastor of St. Patrick's in Rodeo. Young stated that the allegations were "absolutely false." The Diocese determined that the allegations were not credible.

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KQED 08.10.23

Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.