Archdiocese of San Francisco CA - BishopAccountability.org

43 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Peter Gomez Armstrong

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

At some point between 1992 and 2002 a teenage Marin County boy accused Monsignor Peter Armstrong, former chaplain of the San Francisco 49ers, of having improper contact with him. Armstrong had already retired at the time the complaint was received. Died 11/17/09.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. James W. Aylward

Ordained: 1964
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Accused of abuse of a boy in 1997. Another priest saw them "wrestling" and notified authorities. The boy denied the abuse but his parents sued. Settled for $750K in 2000. Aylward was supported by the archbishop until Aylward admitted in a 1999 deposition that he inappropriately touched numerous boys over a 12-year period. Placed on leave in 2000. Retired in 2005.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Theodore Baquedano-Pech

Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Visiting priest from Mexico. Accused of sexually molesting a girl for several years, beginning when she was 11. She reported to diocese in 1993 at about age 30; was told diocese not responsible because he was a visiting priest. He continued as active priest in Mexico for many years. Still active in Yucatan in 4/10. Removed 4/26/10.

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Br. Salvatore Billante

Order: SDB
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Abused as many as 25 boys 1969-89. Pled guilty to abuse of one; sentenced to eight years' prison in 1989. Released 1994. Registered sex offender. Left the Salesians. Arrested again in 2002 for abuse of one; charges dropped after CA Supreme Court decision. Named in 2003 civil suit. On Oakland diocese's list in 2019.

Sources:

Fr. Jean-Pierre Bongila

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1991
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 11/04 of sexually abusing a girl 1996-2000, starting when she was ages 16-17 and Bongila was working in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Bongila denied the allegations. The suit settled in 2006. The archdiocese investigated and reportedly "cleared" Bongila. In 2013 a second lawsuit reportedly was filed, claiming Bongila sexually abused a male under age 18. It was dismissed in 7/19 because of lack of participation from the plaintiff in the case. Bongila began work in 2006 as the founding director of the International Leadership Program at the Universiy of St. Thomas in Minneapolis MN, where he remained as of 1/22.

Sources:

Fr. Roberto Bravo

Order: OP
Ordained: 1998
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Accused of abuse of 6 teenage girls in 1999 in Antioch. He was reported to police but girls refused to testify and charges dropped. He was transferred to Utah and had similar problems there. Transferred to San Francisco and then to St. Albert's Seminary in Oakland in 2002. Several other abusers lived at the Seminary. Bravo was allowed to come and go freely. Left St. Albert's in 2/05 when they placed restrictions on him. On Oakland diocese's list in 2019.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Daniel E. Carter

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Ordained: 1979
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

A woman filed a police report in 2002 accusing Carter of sexual impropriety when she was a student at Notre Dame des Victoires elementary school in the late 1970s and he was a Marist brother. The archdiocese investigated, found allegations inconclusive and allowed Carter to remain active. The woman filed a civil suit in 8/02 and Carter was placed on leave. In 4/08 the archdiocese allowed him to return to active ministry, saying again that the charges were inconclusive. Carter retired in 7/21.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Edmond G. Cloutier

Ordained: 1946
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Ordained for the Diocese of Portland, ME. Cloutier attended seminary with former Bishop Cummins of Oakland. Cloutier was named in lawsuits. Alleged to have abused four boys at Star of the Sea in San Francisco late 1940s-57. Became a priest of the Oakland diocese when it was created in 1962. Removed/retired 12/31/80. Died 4/9/03. On Oakland diocese's list in 2019, abuse noted to have occurred 1950s-1960s. On the Stockton diocese's list, which notes he was a supply priest in approximately the mid-1980s, and that his faculties were revoked there 12/20/90.

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Fr. Arthur Manuel Cunha

Ordained: 1984
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Arrested in 6/86 after police investigation of report by restaurant waitress of suspicious behavior involving a man and boy. The boy was age 11 and Cunha was in his first assignment after ordination. Sentenced to 60 days jail and 4 months counseling center for abuse of two boys. At least three civil suits filed claiming abuse of boys in 1986. One suit settled for $640K. May have left priesthood.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Bernard Dabbene

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1966
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Suspended in 11/00 after found in a car with 17-year-old boy. Sentenced to 3 years probation and community service. Named in a 2003 civil suit which alleged he was part of a ring of child molesters at Salesian High School 1969-73. Allegation said to have been reported to Province in 1959 of abuse at the Salesian seminary in Richmond. Dabbene went on to be a high school teacher and principal at Salesian schools, and an official with the SF archdiocese. Allegations reported to the Diocese of Oakland (formerly part of SF archdiocese) also in 1971. Lived at the Salesian provincial headquarters for years. Died 9/9/10. On the Oakland diocese's list in 2019.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Harold Danielson

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1966
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Associate pastor at Saints Peter and Paul parish in 2005 when accused in a lawsuit of child sex abuse. Denied the allegations. Claims may have been investigated in 2004 by the archdiocesan review board and deemed unsubstantiated, which corroborated the Salesians' findings that the claims were "unsubstantiated." Still active priest at same parish per website accessed 7/11/11.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Paul E. Duggan

Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 03/30/2007
Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese of San Jose on its list updated 4/5/19. It notes that Duggan was removed from public ministry by the San Francisco archdiocese in 2002 due to a recent report of "sexual misconduct with a child at St. Patrick School during the 1950s." Duggan retired in 1983 and died 3/30/07.

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Fr. Charles J. Durkin

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Durkin retired in 4/02, just after the San Francisco D.A.'s office requested church records related to years of allegations of abuse. He was the subject of a "recent child molestation complaint" stemming from conduct that allegedly occurred more than 30 years prior. Received treatment at Southdown in Toronto in 2002. Died 4/18/06.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Br. Hal Ellis

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Order: SJ
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Named as abuser in law suit filed on behalf of two mentally disabled men living at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center, a retirement home for priests. Men were abused for many years by at least two priests. Settled 9/03 for $7.5M. At the time of settlement, Ellis was ill and unable to communicate.

Sources:

New York Times 09.06.02
The Guardian (England) 09.07.02

Fr. David A. Ghiorso

Ordained: 1981
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

In a 10/20/21 letter to his parishioners, the diocese announced that a Ghiorso had been accused in a civil claim of the sexual abuse of a minor 30-40 years previously. Placed on leave pending investigation.

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Fr. Martin F. Greenlaw

Ordained: 1968
Status: Sued

Died: 02/28/2018
Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Accused in a 2022 lawsuit of sexually abusing a boy, age 8, in the 1980s. Greenlaw pleaded guilty in the mid-1990s to embezzling from the church. He died in 2018.

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Fr. John P. Heaney

Ordained: 1953
Status: Indicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Retired in 1999. Placed on leave in 8/02 when allegations arose that he abused two brothers in the early 1960s. In 2003 Heaney, a former senior chaplain for the San Francisco Police Department, was charged with molesting one of the brothers; charges dropped 7/03 after Supreme Court ruling that statute of limitations was unconstitutional. Died 1/29/10.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Gregory G. Ingels

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Ordained: 1974
Status: Charged

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Widely known church legal scholar and former Vicar of Priests for the SF Archdiocese. Accused in 1996 of having oral sex with a 15-year-old boy. Archbishop Levada allowed Ingels to remain in public ministry and flourish for years as a force in church legal matters. Ingels continued as a church official even after a second charge by a woman. Placed on leave in 2002. Criminally charged in 5/03; charges dropped in 7/03 due to U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Included in 6/05 settlement.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Frank Ivey

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Order: OFM
Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Named publicly as credibly accused by the St. Barbara Province Franciscans on its list in 9/20. Accused in 2002 of abuse occurring in 1978 and 1979, while assigned to St. Boniface in San Francisco, He is noted to have lived outside of the order beginning in 1988, and to have been formally dismissed in 2016.

Sources:

St. Barbara Province Franciscans List 09.08.20

Fr. John P. Kavanaugh

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Ordained: 1948
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Named in a lawsuit filed 11/27/19 by a 53-year-old who claimed Kavanaugh sexually abused him over three years, beginning when he was age 7 and Kavanaugh was assigned to St. Finn Barr. The boy allegedly told two nuns and his teacher of the abuse at the time, but there was no action. HIs accuser said he reported the abuse to the archdiocese in 2004, but it was not reported to police and Kavanaugh was kept in ministry. He died 6/28/13.

Assignments:

BishopAccountability Assignment Record

Sources:

The Examiner 12.05.19
KRON 12.05.19

Fr. Austin Peter Keegan

Ordained: 1962
Status: Settled

Died: 10/22/2021
Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Ordained for San Francisco. Worked in the Santa Rosa diocese 1976-81. Complaints of abuse of children to archdiocese as early as 1965. May have abused at least 80 children in CA. Stripped of duties by SF archdiocese 1982. Moved to Mexico, worked as a priest in an orphanage. Civil suit in 1994 alleged abuse of a boy at St. Eugene's in the Santa Rosa diocese. Settled 1995 for $450K. Living in Oceanside, CA when indicted 9/02, charged with the molestation and sodomy of two boys, ages 10 and 14, in the late 1960s. Fled to Mexico. Arrested there 3/03, charged with 75 counts of abuse of 3 Sonoma County children. Charges dropped 2003 due to Supreme Court ruling. On Santa Rosa diocese's list 1/12/19. On Las Cruces diocese's list 6/24/19, where he worked in 1991. Died 10/22/21.

Fr. Daniel T. Keohane

Ordained: 1978
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Koehane was placed on administrative leave in 3/11 after an old allegation surfaced during a review of his personnel file. He was accused of abusing a 17- year-old girl in the late 1970s, while assigned to Church of the Epiphany. Archdiocese said the allegation was credible and needed further investigation. DA was informed. Keohane denied the allegation.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Jerome Leach

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Ordained: 1976
Status: Arrested

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Leach was accused in 1993 of molesting an altar boy in 1976, when he was a deacon. Placed on leave. Incident not reported to police until 5/02. Arrested in 2002 and charged with molestation of a separate altar boy in 1979. Those charges dropped because of a U.S.Supreme Court ruling declaring the CA law invalid. Other allegations have also surfaced. Leach died 10/15/17.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Epiphanius Lewis

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Order: OFM
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Named publicly as accused by the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans on its list 5/31/19. It notes reports of the sexual abuse of minors 1964-68 received 1993, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Assigned at some point to St. Paul Shipwreck in San Francisco. Left the Province in 1965.

Assignments:

Santa Barbara Province Franciscans List 05.31.19

Sources:

Santa Barbara Province Franciscans List 05.31.19

Fr. Philip E. McCrillis

Ordained: 1961
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Two sisters filed suit in 2004 alleging that McCrillis had abused them and had a sexual relationship with their divorced mother in the 1960s, while he was at St. Albert the Great in Palo Alto. The women won a low six-figure settlement with SF Archdiocese (the parish was part of the Archdiocese at the time). The San Jose diocese acknowledged that it found the accusations credible. McCrillis retired 7/03 due to Parkinson's. Privileges removed 2004. Died 2/2/07. On diocese's list 10/18/18.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Br. John Moriarty

Order: FSC
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Joined the Christian Brothers in 1951. Accused in a 2003 lawsuit of abusing a 17-year-old boy 1975-76 at St. Helena retreat house, where he was assigned 1974-78. Plaintiff settled in late 2004 for $1.2M. Moriarty was at Wounded Brothers Project treatment center in MO as of 1/05. Per 5/06 newsletter by San Francisco District of Christian Brothers, he was based at Mont La Salle in Napa. Died 5/9/13 at Mt. La Salle. On Santa Rosa diocese's list 1/12/19. Suit filed in 11/19 by man claiming abuse in the 1970s as a Moreau Catholic High student in Hayward, by both Moriarty and principal Rev. Gordon Wilcox.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

De La Salle Christian Brothers 2001 Brother Jubilarians
Contra Costa Times 01.23.05
Contra Costa Times 04.01.08
Mercury News 11.07.19

Fr. Guy Anthony Murnig

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Ordained: 1970
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Accused by two women of sexually abusing them when they were high school students in Marin County. Accused in a lawsuit of abuse of one of them 1970-74. Claim included in 6/05 settlement with the archdiocese. Left the priesthood in 1978 to marry. Laicized by Pope John Paul II. Arrested and charged in 10/02. Charges dropped in 7/03 due to Supreme Court ruling.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. William S. Myers

Ordained: 1988
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Assigned to St. Raymond's in Menlo Park when removed in 5/11 after accusations of "boundary violations" with a 17-year-old boy. He had followed the boy into a store's dressing room. The boy's father made original complaint to police in 4/11. Archdiocese learned of charges in 5/11. No physical contact involved. No criminal charges. In the mid-1990s he sought treatment for sexual identity issues. In 2011 was in treatment for sexual addiction to adults. Privileges removed 12/11 after Board evaluated his case..

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. John J. O’Connor

Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Died: 03/15/2013
Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

In 8/02 O'Connor was quietly placed on leave by the San Francisco archdiocese after a recent allegation that he had had improper contact with a boy more than 30 years prior. O'Connor told parishioners at St. Mary's Cathedral that he was going on leave of absence for health and personal reasons. Absent on leave until his death 03/15/13.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Patrick J. O’Shea

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Ordained: 1958
Status: Charged

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Criminally charged in 1994 for abuse of at least 9 youths in the 1960s and 1970s. Two civil suits were filed in 1994 by four. The archdiocese settled with two plaintiffs in 8/95 for $500K and in 6/96. Archdiocese paid out $2.5M to 15 men abused by O'Shea and two other priests. Arrested. Spent two years in jail waiting for trial; charges withdrawn after 2003 Supreme Court ruling. Also served time for theft of over $200K from archdiocese. Laicized in 1994. On the Stockton diocese's list 11/12/20, where worked 1/31/70-9/17/71.

Br. Danilo Pacheco

Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Pacheco was accused of molestation at two different Catholic high schools in Southern California. He also worked in the Oakland diocese. Died 7/25/05.

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Fr. Richard P. Presenti

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1968
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Admitted in 2003 that he abused a 14-year-old boy in 1973. The boy immediately told his parents and the archdiocese; Presenti was kept in active ministry. Sued by three men alleging abuse as teenagers. Remained the provincial's treasurer, entrusted with directing the order's financial affairs until 7/05, when he stepped aside. Sued by another in 6/07. Appeals court ruled in 1/08 that the Salesians didn't know he presented a risk of sexual abuse prior to his assault of the victims. On the Oakland diocese's list in 2019.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Jose F. Ribeiro

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Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

From Portugal. Worked in Santa Clara (1975-81), Sacramento (1982-91) and San Francisco, CA (1991-94). Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits West Province on its list 12/7/18. It notes an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, without specifics as to time or place. Dismissed from the order and returned to Portugal.

Assignments:

Jesuits West Province List 12.07.18

Sources:

Jesuits West Province List 12.07.18

Fr. Miles O’Brien Riley

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Ordained: 1963
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Author, actor, and former spokesman for the church. Well-known for his radio ministry and as a fixture on the old God Squad TV show. Target of a complaint by a female parishioner who accused him of having consensual contact short of intercourse with her in the early 1970s, beginning when she was 16. Matter referred to DA's office 8/02 and Riley was allowed to "resign."

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Carl Anthony Schipper

Ordained: 1968
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Arrested in 3/00 after he held a series of explicit sexual conversations with someone he thought was a 13-year-old boy in an internet chat room. He was immediately placed on leave from his position as academic dean at Menlo Park's St. Patrick's Seminary. Pled no contest in 8/00. Sentenced to six months in jail and three years probation. Ordered to register as a sex offender. Retired in 2003.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Lawrence Gerard Smith

Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Member of an "old Catholic sect". Sentenced in 1/84 to 8 months in jail for molesting Vietnamese boys who did not speak English. Abuse occurred in 1983. There may have been as many as six victims. Also convicted in 1977 of a sex offense involving a 10-year-old boy.

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Br. Wellington Joseph Stanislaus

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Order: SJ
Status: None

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Entered the Jesuit order in 1965. Moved from San Jose to Phoenix in 1971 after he was accused of molesting teenage boys at a boys' home. Allowed to work with youth programs in Phoenix while order was working to have him dismissed. Arrested 2003 on two felony accounts of abusing a 16-year old-boy in 1969 who was a resident of a Los Gatos home for troubled boys. Charges dismissed 6/03 after ruling by Supreme Court. On the Jesuits West Province list 12/7 /18. It notes sexual abuse of a minor 1968-70, reported in 2002. Assigned to Juvenile Hall in San Jose, CA at the time of the alleged abuse. Dismissed from order in 1972.

Assignments:

Jesuits West Province List 12.07.18

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Fr. Jose Superiaso

Ordained: 1985
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Ordained in the Philippines. Arrived in the US in 1989. Left San Francisco in 1998 to work on a Native American reservation in the Santa Fe Archdiocese. Arrested there in 2003 on charges of abuse of girl, ages 12-13, in CA 1994-95. He acknowledged engaging in intercourse between 20-30 times with the young girl. Mistrial in 2004. Pleaded guilty 2005 and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Released in 1/12; deportation to Philippines pending.

Fr. Henry J. Trainor

Ordained: 1973
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Trainor was placed on leave in summer 2002 from his position as chaplain at Lagunda Honda Hospital. He had previously taken a leave from the priesthood after earlier allegations of abuse. Archbishop Levada brought him back in 2000; suspended in 2002 after prosecutors were given information about the allegations, some of which were about 10 years old. Status was absent on leave 2002-07, after which the Catholic Directories show him as retired, until at least 2017.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

San Francisco Chronicle 08.29.02

Fr. Leo Donald Tubbs

Order: OP
Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Accused of non-genital touching over clothing of a 14- to 17-year-old boy in the mid-1980s in Oregon. In 2005, because of some other instances of boundary violations with adults and because of disobedience issues since that time not relating to sexual misconduct, he was reportedly not permitted to leave the Dominican residence unattended or without permission. He had no public ministry, nor does was he allowed contact with youngsters. Included on the Archdiocese of Los Angeles' updated list 12/6/18; report in 2014 of incident(s) in 1983.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Robert M. Van Handel

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1975
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Founding director of Santa Barbara Boys' Choir and principal of St. Anthony's Seminary High School. May have sexually abused 150 boys, ages 8-12. Charged 1994 with abuse of students. Sentenced 8/94 to eight years prison for abuse of one. Released in 2002. Named in several civil suits. Reportedly abused six 1970-82. Four claims settled in 2006. Personnel File released in 5/12; may have been laicized 7/23/97. On sex offender registry 1/12. On Santa Barbara Province Franciscans' list 5/31/19. It notes report in 1992 of abuse of minors 1977-84. On Oakland diocese's list in 2019. Accused along with Msgr. Vincent McCabe in a 6/22 lawsuit of abuse of a fifth-grade boy in 1989. Per plaintiff's attorney, Van Handel told his superiors in the 1970s that he was attracted to young boys.

Fr. Milton T. Walsh

Ordained: 1978
Status: Charges Dropped

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Accused in 1984 of abuse of a 13-year-old boy. Reported immediately to Archbishop Quinn. Cardinal Levada later allowed Walsh to remain active as teacher at seminary at Menlo Park until 8/02. Criminal charges filed 10/02; dropped 7/03 after U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Walsh had admitted his behavior and apologized to his victim during a phone call secretly taped by police. Victim filed suit; settled in 2003. Discovered by news outlet in 9/19 at a a celebration officiated by the archbishop of the opening of a proposed Benedictine monastery on the grounds of a parish in Taos NM. Walsh reportedly had been planning to move into the monastery, which is across the street from a public elementary school.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Br. Peter Yost

Order: OP
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Accused in 2005 of inappropriate physical contact on one occasion with a boy, about age 12, in the early 1960s. The alleged victim received a settlement. No other victims located by a private investigator. Yost , who in 2005 was elderly, in poor health, and unable to drive, was judged to be no danger to children by a clinical professor of psychiatry.

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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.