Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM - BishopAccountability.org

78 Accused in This Diocese

Br. Andrew Abdon

Order: FSC
Ordained: 1945
Status: Settled

Died: 08/17/1977
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Also known as John Christenson. In separate 1995 lawsuits, two brothers and another man claimed abuse as grade-schoolers in the 1950s by Abdon and other Christian Brothers, at St. Michael's in Santa Fe and at the College of Santa Fe. Last of lawsuits settled in 10/1996. A woman filed suit in 1995 alleging abuse by Br. Abdon at St. Michael's. Trained at the Juniorate in Las Vegas, NM and De La Salle Novitiate in Lafayette, LA. Took the habit in 1936; final profession 1945. Died 8/17/1977. The stadium at St. Michael's is called Brother Abdon Field, as late as 2022. There is also a street in Santa Fe named after Abdon. Name included on the Santa Fe the archdiocese's list of accused 9/12/2017. New suit in 4/2021.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Lionel Augustine Abeywickrema

Ordained: 1951
Status: Settled

Died: 11/12/2008
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

From Sri Lanka. Accused by three sisters of sexually abusing them in the mid-1960s, when he was at St. Bernadette's parish in Albuquerque and they were ages 6-14. The women reached an out-of-court settlement with the archdiocese, announced 7/1/1993. Abeywickrema was removed from public ministry. Died 11/12/2008. Included on Santa Fe archdiocese's list 9/12/2017.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Marvin Archuleta

Order: SF
Ordained: 1970
Status: Acquitted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Around five cases involving Archuleta were settled in the mid-1990s. Accused in a 1994 suit of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy daily during a 1971 car trip from NM to DC. Sent to St. Luke's, then Vianney Renewal Center for treatment. Suit settled in 12/1995. Archuleta said the plaintiff exaggerated. Removed from ministry. Found by a news outlet working as a priest in the Archdiocese of Mexico City in 2002. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list 9/12/2017. Suit filed in 10/2018 by a 38-year-old man claiming Archuleta raped him when he was a grade school student at Holy Cross in Santa Cruz NM in 1986-1987. Arrested 2/8/2019 on charges of the kidnapping and rape of a 6-year-old boy in 1986. Trial began 1/30/2020. Report to the D.A. in 2/2019 of abuse of an altar boy in the early 1990s. Acquitted in 2/2020.

Fr. Gerald A. Armstrong

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1944
Status: Sued

Died: 04/16/1996
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 11/2019 of sexually abusing, along with Rev. Alan Pilie, a girl who was in first through third grades, beginning in 1968 in Albuquerque. She attended a school near Immaculate Conception parish, where the priests were assigned. His accuser said she was often forced to drink alcohol before the abuse. The alleged abuse was first reported to the Jesuits in 2009, and was deemed not credible. Armstrong died 4/16/1996.

Sources:

Albuquerque Journal 11.17.19

Fr. Paul M. Baca

Ordained: 1949
Status: Settled

Died: 02/8/2013
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

A woman filed suit in 1/2000, alleging a sexual relationship with Baca for one year beginning in 1973 when she was 15. The suit also alleged that the relationship resumed in 1989 and lasted until the 1990s. She had a videotape and transcript wherein Baca admitted "repetitive sexual contact." He resigned. The suit was settled in 6/2000 for an undisclosed amount. The settlement also covered claims by another woman who claimed Baca had a two-year affair with her which ended in 2000. Baca died 2/8/2013. Included on Santa Fe archdiocese list of accused on 9/12/2017.

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Fr. Daniel M. Balizan

Ordained: 1989
Status: Guilty plea

Died: 05/24/2024
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Pastor of Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Community in 8/2022 when suspended due to an allegation that he sexually abused a boy, age 15, ten years prior. His accuser sued in 10/2022. Balizan had been assigned to the parish since 2012. Arrested in 6/2023. Pleaded not guilty. Subject of a two other lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse while at Santa Maria de la Paz. Allowed to await trial from home, on house arrest with electronic monitoring. Trial was set for 9/11/2023. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list of credibly accused 2/19/2024. In 5/2024 Balizan agreed to plead guilty. Died by suicide 5/24/24, hours before his scheduled plea hearing.

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Fr. Donald A. Bean

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1963
Status: Accused

Died: 11/29/2005
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First identified publicly as accused by the Santa Fe archdiocese on its list 9/12/2017. Worked as a priest of the Santa Fe archdiocese 1963-1970. Moved to the Burlington VT diocese in 1970, where he was incardinated in 1975. Retired in 1994 due to ill health, per his obituary. Died 11/29/2005. Included on the Burlington diocese's list 8/22/2019, where he is also noted to have abused.

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Seminarian Rudy Blea

Order: OSB
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

A civil suit filed 6/10/1994 alleged abuse by Blea of at least one youth during counseling sessions 1969-1970. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese list of accused 9/12/2017, as a Benedictine. Blea sued the archdiocese in 1994 and again in 2018, claiming he was never a member of the Benedictines, nor employed by them or in residence with them at any time during his life, nor has he ever been a brother, monk, deacon or priest in any diocese of the Catholic church. He said he did give talks at a retreat in Albuquerque that his accuser attended. Per the Sante Fe archdiocese on its list 3/8/2019, Blea was in formation for the archdiocese 1969-1976. Blea said he became a seminarian in 1974.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Brother Alex

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Order: FSC
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

In a 1995 civil suit, a man alleged he was abused by Brother Alex when he was a student at the Junior Novitiate of The College of Santa Fe 1955-1957. The same man also alleged abuse by Brother Abdon and by a scout master. Settled in 1996.

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Br. Louis Brouseau

Order: FSC
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Brouseau and two other De La Salle Christian Brothers were accused in 1995 civil suits of independently molesting a young man over several years at St. Michael's school. The man's brother also claimed abuse by one of the Brothers. Brouseau later left the order and worked as a public high school principal. Case settled Fall 1996. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese list of accused on 9/12/2017. New suit in 420/21.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Ronald L. Bruckner

Ordained: 1965
Status: Sued

Died: 04/3/2020
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

At least six men alleged abuse by Bruckner in the 1970s and 1980s when they were in middle school in Albuquerque. Several reported to Archbishop Sheehan in 1995. Bruckner was investigated in 1995 and 2004 by the review board, but not removed. Had a third evaluation in 3/2005 after a sixth man claimed abuse in the 1970s. Placed on leave and 'retired' in 3/2005. Lost all privileges in 9/2005. Still representing himself in 1/2008 as a priest of the Santa Fe archdiocese. On Santa Fe archdiocese list of accused 9/12/2017. Suit v Boy Scouts names Bruckner and Rev. Robert Malloy 12/2018. Bruckner died 4/3/2020.

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Br. Maur Anthony Burbach

Donate Photo

Order: OSB
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Burbach was accused of sexually abusing several members of a parish beginning in the 1960s. Affiliated with Pecos Benedictine Monastery. Two civil suits were filed in 1994. His name was included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list of accused on 9/12/2017, name spelled 'Marr.' Br. Maur Burbach's name was included on the St. Benedict Abbey of Benet Lake WI list on 1/24/2023. Noted to have made vows in 1960, abused in NM in the 1960s, to have been dismissed from religious life in 1970 and to have died in 2019. (There was a Rev. Maur Burbach, O.S.B. who was ordained in 1940 died in 1982.)

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Walter Edward Cassidy

Ordained: 1942
Status: Settled

Died: 05/12/1994
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

A man and woman filed separate suits in mid-2013 alleging abuse by Cassidy, who worked in parishes in Albuquerque, Taos and Mora. The suits were reportedly settled at some point before 5/2014. Another man filed suit in 5/2014 alleging abuse by Cassidy at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in northwest Albuquerque in the late 1960s. The plaintiff says he was abused between 50-80 times as a 10-year-old boy. In a suit filed in 11/2014, Cassidy was accused of molesting an 8- to 10-year-old girl in the late 1960s on a church bus. The Archdiocese knew of allegations against Cassidy by 1994 but never made them public. He died in 1994. Included on the Archdiocese's list of accused 9/12/2017.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Charles J. Charron

Donate Photo

Order: sP
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

From Canada. First identified publicly as accused on Santa Fe archdiocese's list 9/12/2017. Worked at St. Peter's church in Gentilly MN in the Crookston diocese in 1960; Madre de Dios Novitiate in Santa Fe 1960-1961; the order's house in Santa Cruz, Bolivia 1961-1963; Jemez Springs NM 1963-1965; the order's minor seminary and novitiate in the Burlington VT diocese 1965-1971; the order's Canton retreat house in the Youngstown OH diocese 1971-1973. Retired in 1973. Last listed in the 1978 Directory.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Albert Chavez

Ordained: 1947
Status: Sued

Died: 11/20/1997
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Monsignor. Accused in a 10/2018 lawsuit of the sexual abuse, including rape, of an altar boy 1972-1977 in Peralta, when Chavez was pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Chavez allegedly would ply the boy with alcohol. Transferred to the Diocese of Las Cruces where he worked in parishes 1977-1985. He died in 1997. On Diocese of Las Cruces list 11/8/2018. It noted a report received in 2002 of an incident in 1984. On Santa Fe's list 3/8/2019.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Johnny Lee Chavez

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Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First identified publicly as accused by the Santa Fe archdiocese on its list 9/12/2017. Last assignment was 2011-2014 at Sangre de Cristo, where he was pastor. Retired.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Henry A. Clark

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1931
Status: Accused

Died: 07/25/1957
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First identified publicly as accused in Santa Fe archdiocese list on 9/12/2017. Worked at St Anne's in Santa Fe 1952-1957 and at missions in Agua Fria, Cienega, and Cieneguilla. In those years identified in the Official Catholic Directory index as a Santa Fe priest and a Franciscan, but not identified as OFM in parish entry. Assigned as a Syracuse priest to Immaculate Conception cathedral in Mobile AL diocese 1936-1939. In all other years he is not indexed in the Directory (1946-1952) or is listed as 'absent with permission' (1932-1936; 1940-1945). Died on 7/25/1957 in Albuquerque at age 56. Syracuse and Utica assignments are mentioned in the obituary but not indexed in the Directory.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Octavio A. Coggiola-Mower

Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

From Italy. Monsignor. First identified publicly as accused by the Santa Fe archdiocese on its list 9/12/2017. Also known as Ottavio and O.A. Deceased.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Leon Q. Corpuz

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First identified publicly as accused on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list 9/12/2017.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Leo J. Courcy

Ordained: 1962
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Priest of the Burlington VT diocese. In a civil suit filed in 1994 Courcy and Rev. Joseph Anthony Gallegos were accused of abusing an altar boy in NM, after Courcy's first trip to the Servants of the Paraclete treatment facility in Jemez Springs. Sent to the Paracletes in 1967 and 1969. Faculties removed in 2/1993 when assigned in NYC. Laicized in 6/2009. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese list 9/12/2017. Accused in a 5/2019 suit against the Paracletes of abusing two boys during an overnight the rectory of St. Anthony's in Questa in 1969. One of the accusers claimed he was raped. Per the suit, Courcy was sent by the Paracletes to St. Anthony's as a supply priest four days after his arrival for treatment. On the Burlington diocese's list 8/22/2019. News suit in 5/2021 claims abuse of a boy in VT in 1978, starting when the boy was age 5 or 6.

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Fr. Barry Finbar Coyle

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 02/6/1991
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First identified publicly as accused on Santa Fe archdiocese list 9/12/2017. Assigned to Santa Fe Cathedral 1959-1974; worked from there as Franciscan vocations director for the Southwest. Later worked in the New Orleans archdiocese and the Baton Rouge diocese. Died 2/6/1991. Last listed in the 1988 Directory; death entry in the 1992 Directory shows his location as St. Mary of the Angels, a Franciscan parish in New Orleans. The 1989-1991 Directories do not show him as assigned to that parish. During his time in Santa Fe a/k/a Finbar. Listed in Directory as Barry thereafter. Included on the Baton Rouge diocese's list in early 2019. Added to New Orleans' list in 2020. On the Fort Wayne-South Bend diocese's list in 12/2020; one credible allegation of abuse there; assigned 2/1973-6/1974 to St. Therese in Fort Wayne. On Las Cruces list in 11/2020; at St. Peter's in Roswell in 1965. On the Cincinnati archdiocese's list in 2/2022. Included in 6/2022 on the St. John the Baptist Province Franciscans list. In his victim's statement for the Santa Fe archdiocese's bankruptcy proof of claims, an alleged victim said that when he was in 7th grade at St. Peter's in Roswell and Coyle was assigned to St. Francis Cathedral 1968-1969, the priest sexually abused him, including rape on four occasions. This accuser also said that he was abused by a Brother Thomas, Brother John and Fr. Donald Starkey and that all of the abuse occurred when he was ages 12-14.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

Documents:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe Institutional Abuse Collection Starkey et al Victim’s Statement accessed 02.13.25

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Fr. Edward Francis Donelan

Ordained: 1956
Status: Sued

Died: 12/25/1994
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Worked at a boys' school run by the state and then ran a boys' ranch operated by the Santa Fe Archdiocese. The state of NM knew of allegations in 1971. Accused of sexually abusing and beating residents. The church ranch was closed after one boy died. At least one civil suit was filed in 1994 by two men. Archbishop Sanchez received complaints in 1976; sent another priest to investigate. Ranch closed shortly thereafter; Donelan remained a priest until his death in 1994. Lawsuit filed in 5/2017 by a man alleging abuse by Donelan and Rev. Laurier Labreche in the late 1980s, when the man was an 11- to 13-year-old altar boy at Church of the Ascension in Albuquerque. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list of accused on 9/12/2017.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. John L. Esquibel

Ordained: 1966
Status: Indicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Esquibel (also spelled Esquivel) is alleged to have molested boys in several parishes before he was placed in a Chancery office job. Reoffended after treatment. Indicted in 10/1993 and charged with abusing a 15-year-old altar boy in 1983; charges dropped by judge in 2/1995 for lack of evidence. Worked as an Army Reserve chaplain from 1979. At least two civil suits filed in 1994. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list of accused 9/12/2017.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Daniel L. Farris

Ordained: 1967
Status: Accused

Died: 11/23/2018
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First identified publicly as accused by the Santa Fe archdiocese on its list 9/12/2017. Died in 2018.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Dennis Fountain

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1981
Status: Arrested

Died: 12/29/2013
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Dean of Students at St. Catherine's Indian School. Indicted in 1/1987 on more than 170 counts of sexual abuse (most charges from 1 of 3 accusers). Indictments dismissed because a DA was alleged to have tampered with the Grand Jury. Reindicted in 9/1987 on other charges. Apparently found not guilty because he became pastor of St. Helena Parish in Hobbs, NM (Las Cruces Diocese). A 4/25/2010 church bulletin requested prayers for him as he was ill; he was no longer shown as pastor. Died 12/29/2013. On Las Cruces diocese's list 11/8/2018. Noted to have worked in Las Cruces diocese 1992-2008. Report made in 2009 of an alleged incident in 1960. On the Gallup diocese's list 12/10/2018. Included 5/19/21 on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list.

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Fr. Donald J. Starkey

Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 01/1/2016
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

In his victim's statement for the Santa Fe archdiocese's bankruptcy proof of claims, an alleged victim stated that Starkey sexually abused him as a boy, on one occasion in 1970. The man said he was staying with his Grandma who gave Starkey permission to take him to a movie. He stated, "[Starkey] sexually assaulted me...I resisted him, and after he had fondled me he gave up.... ." He told his Grandma in 1974, therapists in 1997 and the Archdiocese and his attorneys in 2019. The man said he was also sexually abused by Fr. Barry Finbar Coyle, Brother Thomas and Brother John, and that all of the abuse occurred when he was ages 12-14.

Documents:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe Institutional Abuse Collection Starkey et al Victim’s Statement accessed 02.13.25

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Rev. Edward M. Gallagher

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1913
Status: Sued

Died: 12/1/1969
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Gallagher was a prison chaplain and parish priest in PA early in his priesthood. Per the Official Catholic Directory, Edward M. Gallagher was a Philadelphia priest on leave of absence at least 1930-1948. By 1949 he was indexed as a Sante Fe priest assigned to a Trappist Monastery in Dubuque IA, and in 1952 he was shown as at St. Francis Home in Dubuque. He worked in the Santa Fe archdiocese from 1953 until his death in 1969. Chaplain for 15 years at St. Anthony's Boys Home in Albuquerque. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/2020 of sexually abusing a boy who resided at the Home. The plaintiff, in his late 60s, said that he and other boys were sexually abused by the chaplain, visiting priests and Sisters of St. Francis, who ran the Home. He said he was abused from the age of 6 until he escaped at age 13, and that he was Gallagher's "captive sex toy." Gallagher's name is included on the Archdiocese of Santa Fe's list of accused in 10/2020. (The list shows him as an OFM Franciscan, but other sources do not show that he was a member of the Order.)

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Fr. Joseph Anthony Gallegos

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Ordained: 1963
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Alleged to have abused at least four boys, one in each of his four assignments 1965-1972. Apparently had his privileges suspended from 1972-1992. Was reconciled with the Church just before dying of AIDS in 9/1992. At least one victim also acquired AIDS. At least four suits filed against estate. One suit settled in Fall 1994 and another was settled before it reached the lawsuit stage. Named in at least one civil suit filed in 8/2014. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list of accused on 9/12/2017.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Robert W. Galli

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Ordained: 1948
Status: Sued

Died: 01/25/1981
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Accused by a man in a lawsuit filed in 4/2018 of having sexually abused him as a boy at St. Anne's in southwest Albuquerque. Died in 1989. Name in included on the archdiocese's list 3/8/2019.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Deacon Hector Garcia

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Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First identified publicly as accused by the Santa Fe archdiocese on its list 9/12/2017. Assigned to Albuquerque parishes 1981-1989.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Paul J. Greenwell

Ordained: 1928
Status: Accused

Died: 11/24/1964
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First identified publicly as accused on Santa Fe archdiocese list on 9/12/2017. Priest of the Louisville KY archdiocese until the Owensboro diocese was established in 1937. Per Official Catholic Directories in the late 1950s-early 1960s Greenwell was Absent on Leave from the Owensboro diocese, at Sacred Heart parish in Albuquerque. Included on the 4/12/2019 Owensboro diocesan list of priests with substantiated allegations, which states: 'multiple allegations from the 1940s and 1950s deemed substantiated.' 'Retired to Albuquerque' in 1956. Died 11/24/1964.

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Fr. Sabine Griego

Ordained: 1964
Status: Charged

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Accused of sexually and physically assaulting over 38 children, male and female. Suit filed in 1993, seven filed in 1994. Lived at Archbishop Sanchez' residence after treatment at Paracletes. Suspended in 1/1993; laicization process began in 2/1994. Was prison psychologist after FBI check; resigned months later. Civil suit in 5/2014 re abuse at an ABQ parish in 1986. Suit in 8/2015 re abuse of a boy in the 1980s at Griego's home in Montezuma and an ABQ parish. A man filed suit in 5/2014 against the Santa Fe archdiocese; claimed he was raped by Griego at age 17 in 1986; had gone to Griego for guidance about possibly becoming a priest and there were teen boys with Griego in rectory and drinking. Accused in a 12/17/2015 suit of abuse of a boy, age 14-18, at parishes in Las Vegas, NM and ABQ 1975-1979. On the Santa Fe archdiocese list 9/12/2017. Two new suits in 1/2018. New suit in 5/2018 by 6 men, 1 woman. Arrested in 3/2019, charged with rape of an 8-year-old girl in the early 1990s. She had gotten a settlement. On the Las Cruces diocese's list 6/24/2019. Died in 10/2020 before trial.

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Fr. Richard Hennessy

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Order: SSS
Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Named publicly as accused by the Santa Fe archdiocese on its list 3/8/2019 (name spelled Hennessey; Catholic Directories show spelling as Hennessy). Assigned to Blessed Sacrament in Albuquerque 1961-1963. Previously assigned in the Diocese of Green Bay WI and the Diocese Cleveland OH. Last indexed in the 1969 Official Catholic Directory.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

Br. Dennis Huff

Order: OFM
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

A man filed a complaint with Santa Fe police in 1/1997 alleging rape and abuse by Huff on multiple occasions in the early 1980s at St. Catherine Indian School. He also alleged abuse by Fr. Christopher Kerr. Huff left the Order some time before 1997. Accused in a 2014 lawsuit of rape in 1976 of a 15-year-old boy living in St. Catherine School's dorm. Included on Santa Fe Archdiocese list of accused 9/12/2017. Worked at a behavioral health center serving mostly native Americans beginning in 1992; "retired" in 9/2017 after the center received an anonymous letter about Huff's past. Added in 11/2021 to the Diocese of Gallup's list of credibly accused. Included in 6/2022 on the St. John the Baptist Province Franciscans list. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Theodore Isaias

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Ordained: 1961
Status: Settled

Died: 03/13/2007
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Civil suit filed against Isaias, Santa Fe archdiocese, Via Coeli, Greek Orthodox Church, and Estate of Fr. Charles Rourke in 1995. One man said he was sexually abused by Isaias in 1974. It is believed Isaias was treated at Via Coeli prior to time he abused plaintiff. Suit was settled and dismissed in 1996. Documents released by the Orange CA diocese show that in 1988 Isaias was the Director of Albuquerque Villa, a facility of the Servants of the Paraclete, and was also their Director of Aftercare. Included on Santa Fe archdiocese list of accused on 9/12/2017. Died in 2007. (This contradicts Santa Fe's list, which in 2017 noted him to be living.)

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. James A. Kemper

Ordained: 1942
Status: Accused

Died: 11/23/1993
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First identified publicly as accused by the Santa Fe archdiocese on its list 9/12/2017. Died 11/23/1993. Included in the Diocese of Memphis report 2/28/2020, where he was assigned at some point to two parishes in West TN. On the Knoxville diocese's list as of 3/6/2020. Included on the Diocese of Nashville's list in 11/2021.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Christopher Kerr

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1979
Status: Accused

Died: 04/6/2018
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

A man filed a report with the Santa Fe police in 1997 alleging abuse by Fr. Kerr and Br. Dennis Huff at St. Catherine Indian School. Allegedly Kerr (a teacher) fondled him once in 1980 or 1981 and Huff raped him several times in the early 1980s. Kerr was working in the Cincinnati archdiocese in the late 1980s. He left the priesthood in the early 1990s. In 1997 he was was living in Houston, TX. He died in 4/2018. Included on the Franciscans' St. John the Baptist Province list of those with substantiated allegations against them. Added to the Gallup diocese's list of credibly accused in 11/2021. Included in 2/2022 on the Cincinnati archdiocese's list.

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Fr. Robert J. Kirsch

Ordained: 1957
Status: Sued

Died: 11/3/2005
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

From NY. Trained as Jesuit. Ordained for Gallup. Transferred to Santa Fe. Archdiocese became aware of behavior and sent him to counseling several times; each time would transfer him to new parish. Kirsch allegedly sexually abused a girl at St. Thomas Apostle in Abiquiu NM 1973-1977, beginning when she was age 15, leading to pregnancy and an abortion. She filed a civil suit in 1991. He admitted sex but said she was 19 by then. Suit dismissed in 1993 due to the statute of limitations. Died 11/3/2005. Included on the Gallup diocese's list of credibly accused. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese list 9/12/2017. On the Las Cruces diocese's list 6/24/2019, where he worked 1965-1967.

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Fr. Laurier A. Labreche

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 10/1/2019
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 5/2017, along with Rev. Edward Donelan, of sexually abusing an altar boy, ages 11-13, in the late 1980s at Church of the Ascension in Albuquerque. Labreche was living in Albuquerque in 5/2017. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list of accused 9/12/2017. On the Las Cruces diocese's list 11/8/2018. Worked in diocese 1962-1968 at St. Eleanor's in Ruidoso. Sante Fe's list in 10/2020. Labreche died 10/1/2019.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Vincent A. Lipinski

Ordained: 1987
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Confronted by Archbbishop Sanchez in the early 1990s after two allegations that Lipinski abused a youth after getting him drunk. Lipinski denied it; nothing was done. Working at St. Anthony Parish in Questa, NM when criminal charges were filed in 10/1992. Pleaded guilty in 1993 to two charges of molesting a 14-year-old boy after giving him alcohol. Sentenced to jail, suspended for 5 years. The victim filed a civil suit in 1993 and settled in 1996. Per a 6/2002 article, Lipinski was laicized at some point. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list of accused 9/12/2017.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Hubert C. Lomme

Ordained: 1934
Status: Sued

Died: 10/22/1986
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Also known as Humbertus. Ordained in Valkenburg, Holland. Monsignor. Accused in a 2014 lawsuit of sexual abuse of a 6- or 7-year-old boy in the early 1960s when pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows in Las Vegas NM. Another suit filed in 12/2016 claimed Lomme sexually abused 7 preteen boys at Our Lady of Sorrows 1959-1964. Died 10/22/86 at age 79. Included on Santa Fe archdiocese list of accused 9/12/2017.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Clive Lynn

Ordained: 1969
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

From Ireland. Dismissed from seminary in Scotland, accepted into seminary in the Diocese of Austin TX in 1968. Very involved with catechetical and CYO groups. "Clashed" with priests, then was recommended for and accepted into the Santa Fe diocese, where he was ordained in 1969. Multiple complaints by individuals and social services of abuse by Lynn, with subsequent transfers by Archbishop Sanchez. Privileges revoked in 1986. In 1989 the Archdiocese of Santa Fe paid a $554K settlement to one person claiming abuse in the late 1970s. Four civil suits were filed in 1994 alleging abuse of altar boys in the early 1980s. Per the suits, Lynn was no longer a priest and no longer in the United States. He left for Great Britain after 1989. Lawsuit filed in 11/2014 by a Las Vegas man claiming abuse as a boy by Lynn in 1977. On Santa Fe archdiocese list of accused on 9/12/2017. On Las Cruces diocese's list 6/24/2019.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Joseph M. Maguire

Ordained: 1934
Status: Sued

Died: 10/10/1976
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Accused in a lawsuit 11/5/2018 of abusing a boy, age 12, in 1955 at San Francisco church in Ranchos de Taos NM. Maguire was born 5/19/1898 in Lexington MA; trained at St Meinrad Seminary IN; ordained in Boston by Cardinal O'Connell on 5/25/1934. Reportedly taught at minor seminary for a year before working until 1960 in parishes in the Santa Fe archdiocese, where he was also a Consultor and chaplain of the NM Senate. Granted the title monsignor in 1950. After working as pastor at Ranchos de Taos, where he was later accused of abuse, he was on sick leave before his next parish assignment at Our Lady of the Assumption in Albuquerque. Listed in the Official Catholic Directory 1960-1976 as a Santa Fe priest 'On sick leave' but reclassified as 'retired' when he died on 10/10/1976. An obituary in the Boston Globe revealed he had been assigned to St. Brigid in Lexington MA, though never indexed or listed as there in the Directory. Not included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's lists of accused.

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Fr. Robert Patrick Malloy

Ordained: 1983
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Arrested in 1998 and later charged with sexually exploiting at least 14 boys 1992-1998. Placed on leave. Indictment covered 42 charges. Charges dismissed 2/2002. Refiled. In a plea agreement in 8/2002 Malloy pleaded no contest to five lesser counts. Sentenced in 9/2002 to 5 years (less 5 days) probation. Per a 2002 article, Malloy had been writing anonymous, sexually explicit notes to teenage boys at St. Pius High School, offering to pay them for their semen. Served as a police chaplain until 1998. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list of accused 9/12/2017. Named in a suit against the Boy Scouts in 12/2018, along with Rev. Ronald Bruckner.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Phillip E. Martin/Peralta

Ordained: 1979
Status: Accused

Died: 12/31/2021
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First identified publicly as accused by the Santa Fe archdiocese on its list 9/12/2017. Included on the Diocese of Las Cruces list of credibly accused 1/08/2018. Report noted to have been received in 2002 of an alleged incident in 1984. Martin worked at NMMI (New Mexico Military Institute) in Roswell 1983-1984. Died 12/31/2021.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Armando Martinez

Donate Photo

Order: sP
Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Died: 05/4/1997
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Sent to Servants of the Paraclete for treatment in 1988. Removed from ministry in 1993 after an allegation that he sexually abused a minor in 1992. Retired in 1994 after he was accused of sexual misconduct with a boy 20 years prior. Civil suit filed. In 5/1997 Martinez was found murdered on the road to the Paraclete retreat. Police arrested a man who claimed Martinez fondled him after they had both been drinking. The man was later sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder. A lawsuit filed in 8/2015 alleged rape by Martinez over 2-year period of an altar boy at Sacred Heart in Española, NM in the late 1980s. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's 9/12/2017 list of accused.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Charles Martinez

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1980
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Suspended in 4/1993 due to allegations of abuse, which he denied. Civil suit filed in 12/1993, claiming Martinez abused a boy 1977-1983, beginning when the boy was age 12 and Martinez was studying to be a Franciscan Friar. Martinez allegedly would abuse the boy in NM and during trips throughout the U.S. The suit was dismissed in 5/1995.

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Fr. Luis Martinez

Donate Photo

Order: SF
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Accused in two civil suits filed in NM in 1994 of abusing minor females. No dates for abuse were given in either suit. Martinez reportedly had left the priesthood. At least one suit was settled by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and Sons of the Holy Family in 12/1995. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese list of accused on 9/12/2017.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Robert Lee Martinez

Ordained: 1979
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First identified publicly as accused by the Santa Fe archdiocese on its list 9/12/2017. Worked in the archdiocese 1979-1993.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Roger L. Martinez

Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First identified publicly as accused in Santa Fe archdiocese list on 9/12/2017.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe Assignment Record

Sources:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe list 09.12.17

Fr. Diego Mazon

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1960
Status: Settled

Died: 11/15/2018
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

In 2/2009 it was revealed that Mazon had been removed from ministry in the Gallup diocese in 2004 due to an allegation that he had sexually and psychologically abused a girl 1974-1978 while at St. John's in Roswell. Civil suit filed in 2005 against Mazon and the Santa Fe archdiocese. It was settled and dismissed in 2/2006. Living as of 2011 at order's Juan Diego Friary in Albuquerque, possibly with former Archbishop Sanchez. Included in an update of the Gallup diocese's list 4/28/2017. On Santa Fe archdiocese list 9/12/2017. On Las Cruces list 11/8/2018. Died in 11/2018. On the Cincinnati archdiocese's list in 2/2022. On the St. John the Baptist Province Franciscans List in 6/2022.

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Fr. Thaddeus Mazur

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1939
Status: Sued

Died: 02/14/1994
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Accused in a lawsuit filed 5/21/2018 of sexually abusing a girl when she was 9- or 10-years-old, at Sagrado Corazon parish in Costilla. Mazur was assigned to the parish 1956-1966. Retired in 1974. Died 2/14/1994, at age 79.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Br. Tom McConnell

Donate Photo

Order: FSC
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Accused, along with Br. Abdon and former Br. Louis Brouseau, in a 5/17/1995 civil suit by two men, who were siblings, of molesting them on several occasions while they were in elementary school and junior high at St. Michael's in Santa Fe. Litigation was settled in Fall 1996 for an undisclosed amount. New suit filed in 4/2021.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Michael P. O’Brien

Ordained: 1970
Status: Settled

Died: 01/14/1993
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Pastor of a number of archdiocesan parishes; started 'Pilgrimage for Vocations' in 1973, which were week-long walks for youth through northern NM, with sleepovers at parishes along the way. O'Brien died in 1/1993 at age 48 (possibly of AIDS per plaintiff's attorney). In 2012 a man told archdiocese that he had been sexually abused by O'Brien at age 10-11 in mid-1980s when O'Brien was assigned to St. Anthony in Questa. The archdiocese provided counseling for several months but it ceased when plaintiff retained attorney. He filed civil suit 4/2/2013. Three more men filed suits a few weeks later, and six more shortly thereafter. By 12/2015 O'Brien was named as a perpetrator of sexual abuse vs NM boys in the 1970s-1980s in 17 lawsuits, at least 9 of which had been settled. Included on Santa Fe archdiocese list 9/12/2017.

Fr. Ralph W. Pairon

Ordained: 1953
Status: Sued

Died: 10/5/2014
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First named publicly as accused on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list 9/12/2017. From Belgium. Was priest of Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (C.I.C.M.); sent by Order to the U.S. in 1954. Incardinated in the Santa Fe archdiocese. Transferred to San Antonio TX archdiocese in 1968, where he taught high school for 22 years. Died 10/5/2014. Named in suit filed 11/2018, accused of abuse of a 10-year-old girl at St. Thomas in Abuquiu, beginning in 1969.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. George W. Pausch

Order: sP
Ordained: 1931
Status: Accused

Died: 01/27/1971
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Included on Santa Fe archdiocese's list of accused on 9/12/2017. Ordained for the Los Angeles CA archdiocese, where he was Archdiocesan Director for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Sent to Servants of the Paraclete in Jemez Springs NM "On Sick Leave" in 1955. Remained there until his death 1/27/1971.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. John Peris

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1934
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

A man filed suit in 6/1995, claiming he was abused at age 13 by Peris in Anton Chico, NM at San José parish. Peris was also responsible for missions in Dilia, Colonias, Pintada, Milagro, Dahlia, Plaza de Arriba, and Tecolotito. The suit said the plaintiff lived at the parish hall for several months so that he could ride the bus to school. Peris also lived at the parish hall and allegedly abused the plaintiff for several months in the Fall of 1957. Peris reportedly returned to Spain shortly after the abuse and is believed to be dead. Included on the archdiocese's list 9/12/2017.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Arthur J. Perrault

Ordained: 1964
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Ordained for the Archdiocese of Hartford. Sent to NM for treatment in 1966 and Canada in 1992. Air National Guard chaplain. Allegedly abused at least 10 children, boys and girls; some took their own lives. Fled the U.S. in 1992. Multiple lawsuits in 1992 and 1994. One settled in 11/1993 for $600K. Four settled in 1995. Named in at least one suit filed in 8/2014. A man who filed suit in 8/2014 against the Santa Fe Archdiocese said Perrault abused him dozens of times beginning in 1991, when he was an altar boy, age 10, in Albuquerque. Perrault was found in 4/2016 working in Morocco, at American Language Center in Tangier; he had been living there off and on for 30 years. Resigned in 5/2016, the school notified police. A suit was filed 8/4/2016 claiming abuse of a NM boy 1975-1977. Another suit was filed in 12/2016. One plaintiff said there were 38 victims. Judgment of $16M in 2/2017. Included on the Santa Fe list 9/12/2017. Arrested by the FBI in 9/2018, returned to NM. Pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse of an 11-year-old boy while chaplain at Kirtland AF Base 1991-1992. New suit in 11/2018. Included on the Archdiocese of Hartford's list 1/22/2019. Found guilty 4/10/2019. Sentenced in 9/2019 to 30 years in prison.

Assignments:

Documents:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe Institutional Abuse Collection Perrault Victim’s Statement accessed 02.13.25

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Fr. Roman Pfalzer

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Died: 12/26/2011
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First identified publicly as accused in Santa Fe archdiocese list on 9/12/2017. Assigned to St. Francis in Gallup in the early 1950s. Santa Fe's updated list in 3/08/2019 shows Pfalzer as having been assigned to the Cathedral of St. Francis in Santa Fe in 1966. Also worked in Roswell and Clovis. On the Archdiocese of Indianapolis list 10/18/2018. Noted to have two victims, allegedly abused 1954-1954. On the Gallup diocese's list of credibly accused in 8/2019. (Brother of accused priest, Juvenal Pfalzer, O.F.M.) Included 10/15/2020 in the Diocese of Wichita's list, where he worked in 1964. On the Las Cruces diocese list 11/13/2020. On Cincinnati's list in 2/2022. Added in 6/2022 to Peoria's list. Included on the St. John the Baptist Province Franciscans list. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes at least one "reported survivor." Pfalzer died 12/26/2011.

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Fr. Alvin J. Pilie

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1945
Status: Sued

Died: 11/21/1986
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Named in a lawsuit 11/2019 as having sexually abused, along with Rev. Gerald A. Armstrong, a girl in grades one through three, in 1968 in Albuquerque. The girl attended a school near Immaculate Conception parish, where the two priests were assigned. The alleged victim said they sometimes forced her to drink alcohol before the abuse. The Jesuits were first informed of the claims in 2009, which they deemed not credible. Pilie died in 1986.

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Fr. Louis H. Prefontaine

Order: SSS
Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 05/5/1978
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First identified publicly as accused by the Santa Fe archdiocese on its list 9/12/2017. Assigned in 1968 to St. Charles Borromeo in Albuquerque. Last appears in the 1977 Official Catholic Directory. Died in 5/1978 in Hurst TX where, per his obituary, he had been "engaged in counseling services."

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Sr. Casilda Pudei

Order: ASC
Status: Accused

Died: 12/5/1987
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

First named publicly as accused on the Las Cruces diocese's list 11/8/2018. It notes a report received in 1993 of abuse in 1957. Pudei was assigned to St. Edward's School in Carlsbad 1956-1957. She died in 1987. (News accounts mistakenly categorize Pudei as a priest - the diocese's list does not indicate that Pudei was a nun.) Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list in 2/2024.

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Diocese of Las Cruces List 11.08.18

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Fr. John Quinn

Donate Photo

Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Named publicly as accused by the Santa Fe archdiocese on its list 9/12/2017. The list shows Quinn to have been a priest of the Manchester diocese. Assigned in 1960 to Villa Madre de Dios in Santa Fe.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. George Rieffer

Ordained: 1939
Status: Accused

Died: 09/7/1991
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Msgr. Rieiffer (misspelled "Reiffer" in media reports) was accused in a lawsuit filed in 5/2016 of sexually abusing and raping a girl beginning in 1952, when she was 6-years-old. The abuse allegedly occurred many times in the rectory of Immaculate Conception parish, Las Vegas. The girl was said to have been a parishioner and student of the parish school. Rieffer died 9/7/1991.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Albuquerque Journal 05.12.15

Fr. John C. Rodriguez

Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Resigned from his parish in 3/1995 after a lawsuit was filed alleging he abused a 19-year-old seminarian after plying him with alcohol more than 20 years previously. Sent for treatment of alcoholism. Allowed to work under certain restrictions until 2002 when he was permanently removed. Name included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's 9/12/2017 list of those accused of child sexual abuse.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 02.19.24

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Fr. Ronald W. Roth

Ordained: 1966
Status: Sued

Died: 06/1/2009
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Worked in the Peoria IL diocese 1966-1968. Assigned in NM 1968-1972, returning to IL 1972-1991. Placed on leave by Peoria in 3/1993 after a civil suit was filed in NM which alleged he abused at least three boys and one girl there, beginning in 1968. One mother complained to the Santa Fe archdiocese in vain. By 6/1997 news articles referred to Roth as a spiritual healer and former priest. He died 6/1/2009. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list 9/12/2017. A 5/21/2018 lawsuit claims abuse by Roth of a 14-year-old NM boy in 1971. On the Peoria diocese's list by 1/2020. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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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.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Edward V. Rutowski

Ordained: 1945
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Accused in two 1994 civil suits of molesting minors. Had been assigned in the St. Anthony of Padua Province in Chicopee MA; requested transfer to Santa Fe for "health reasons." Apparently incardinated into the Archdiocese of Santa Fe in 1956 or 1957. Alleged to have abused a boy in 1967. Abuse alleged of another boy in 1971 by Rutowski and a church custodian. Retired in 1991. Facilities were restricted to private celebrations of mass after accusations by one youth. Died in 2/2004. Accused in a suit filed 12/17/2015 of abusing various boys, one 1975-1979, beginning when the boy was age 9 and Rutowski was assigned to St. Jude Thaddeus in Albuquerque. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list 9/12/2017.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

Sources:

Deacon Julian Sanchez

Donate Photo

Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Permanent deacon. Accused in a lawsuit filed 5/5/1994 of raping an altar boy, age 12-13. Placed on leave. Included on Santa Fe archdiocese's list of accused 9/12/2017.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

Sources:

Archbishop Robert F. Sanchez

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 01/20/2012
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Appointed Archbishop of Santa Fe in 1974, Sanchez was later accused of having sexual intercourse with at least 11 women over period of many years. Some of the women were teenagers. One claimed to have been paid $25K after Sanchez allegedly raped her in 1973. Sanchez also had extensive knowledge of the sexual abuse by priests in the Archdiocese and rarely did anything to punish or remove them. He resigned in 1993 and lived in Minnesota. He died 1/20/2012.

Fr. Clarence C. Schoeppner

Ordained: 1937
Status: Sued

Died: 02/5/1991
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Monsignor. Schoeppner became vice-chancellor of the archdiocese immediately after ordination, and later chancellor. Accused in a 1994 lawsuit of nonconsensual sexual acts and physical abuse of a girl in 1967, as part of 'cleaning ritual' using holy water. The girl and her sister lived at St. Anthony's Boys School, an orphanage run by the Poor Sisters of St. Francis Seraph of the Perpetual Adoration. Schoeppner retired in 1980 and died in 1991. His name is included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list of credibly accused 9/12/2017.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. George S. Silva

Ordained: 1997
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Prior to his 1997 ordination, Silva was a Christian Brother for 17 years. Assigned as a Christian Brother to O'Dea High School in Seattle 1991-1994. Studied in CT. Fr. Silva was placed on leave in 2005. Arrested in 2006, charged with abuse of a 14-year-old boy in 2005, during a trip to France and Portugal. Civil suit filed in 3/2006. Pleaded guilty 6/1/2006. Sentenced to 5 years in prison and 5 years probation in 9/2006. Civil suit settled 11/2006. Included on the Seattle archdiocese's list 1/15/2016. On Santa Fe archdiocese's list of accused 9/12/2017. Per Santa Fe's list in 10/2020, Silva is deceased.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Robert J. Smith

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1971
Status: Sued

Died: 05/4/1989
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Died in 1989. At least six civil suits were filed in 1993-1994 against Smith's estate. Smith apparently abused a fellow high school seminarian in 1946. Expelled in 1959 from Christ the King Seminary in the Buffalo NY area for molesting three children. The Archdiocese of Santa Fe accepted Smith in 1970. After ordination, Smith molested children at various parishes in NM in the 1970s and 1980s. Sent for treatment on at least three occasions. Included on Santa Fe archdiocese list of accused 9/12/2017.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Richard E. Spellman

Ordained: 1943
Status: Settled

Died: 09/2/1989
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

In a proof of claim filed in 5/2019 in the Archdiocese's bankruptcy case a woman alleged that Spellman sexually abused her for years as a child, beginning in about 1957. The claim was included in the Archdiocese's settlement trust in 1/2023. Spellman left the priesthood at some point and married. He died 9/2/1989. In summer 2024 a judge rued against the claimant.

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Fr. Ignacio Tafoya

Ordained: 1966
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Placed on administrative leave in 8/1994 and suspended from priestly duties pending an investigation into allegations of past sexual misconduct with minors. Archbishop Sanchez was asked about allegations against Tafoya in his 1994 deposition. He said that Tafoya had come to him to say that someone had made a statement to a nun about Tafoya and that the statement was a lie. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list of accused 9/12/2017. Accused in a lawsuit in 11/2018 of the sexual abuse of a boy in 1974.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Gordon Patrick Wagoner

Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Died: 09/2/2008
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Named publicly as accused by the Santa Fe archdiocese on its list 9/12/2017. From Diocese of Lafayette IN. Assigned 1975 to Santa Fe as Director of Campus Ministry and Theology professor at University of Albuquerque. Per his obituary, Wagoner returned to Lafayette in 1983 "for reasons of health." Also did post-doctoral work at the University of Chicago 1966-1970, taught at St. John's College of Cleveland for a year, back to IN as History of Religions professor at Catholic Seminary in Indianapolis, while Director of Campus Ministry at Wabash College in Crawfordsville. After returning to IN in 1983 he did mostly hospital chaplaincy work. Died 9/2/2008.

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Fr. John George Weisenborn

Order: SCJ
Ordained: 1939
Status: Settled

Died: 10/29/1991
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Member of the MA-based Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary. Caught three times in 1964 by Washington DC police having sex with boys before he was sent to NM for treatment. Lived at Via Coeli Center, allowed to work in parishes. Later assigned full-time as a parish priest. A man filed suit in 10/2011 against the Santa Fe Archdiocese and Servants of the Paraclete, claiming abuse by Weisenborn for three years in the 1960s while at St. Francis Xavier in Albuquerque. Settled in 11/2012. In residence at a parish per the 1989 Catholic Directory. Died in 1991. New lawsuit filed in 5/2015 in Albuquerque alleging abuse of a boy repeatedly at St. Francis Xavier, beginning in 1968. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list 9/12/2017.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

Sources:

Fr. Thomas P. Wilkinson

Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 06/13/1986
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Named publicly as accused by the Santa Fe archdiocese on its list 9/12/2017. Died 6/13/1986.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

Sources:

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.