Diocese of San Angelo TX

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Terry McKiernan February 26, 2021

13 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Leo J. Bujnowski

Ordained: 1933
Status: Settled

Died: 03/11/1976
Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo TX

Named publicly by the diocese on its list 2/13/19. Died in 1976. Accused in a lawsuit of sexually abusing a boy, ages 9-10, in 1966-67. The abuse allegedly took place at Sacred Heart Church in Coleman, TX, where Bujnowski was assigned, and at the boy's home. The suit settled in 2020 in the low five figures.

Assignments:

Garabedian Law Offices Assignment Record

Sources:

Deacon Hubert Collins

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Died: 04/19/1999
Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo TX

Deacon. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 02/13/19. Died 4/19/99.

Sources:

Diocese of San Angelo List 02.13.19

Fr. David Espitia

Ordained: 1994
Status: Settled

Died: 06/13/2003
Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo TX

Espitia spent several years as a Brigittine monk before attending St. Mary's seminary. Ordained for the San Angelo diocese. In early 6/03 Espitia told Bishop Pfeifer that someone was accusing him of sexually abusing a minor. Espitia denied the abuse but said he would step aside temporarily. On 6/13/03 he was found hanged in the rectory. Police investigation of suicide found child pornography on his computer. His accuser filed a civil suit in 12/09, claiming Espitia abused him over eight years, until 2002. Settled at mediation in 11/11. On the diocese's list 2/13/19.

Sources:

Fr. Miguel Esquivel

Ordained: 1982
Status: Arrested

Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo TX

Accused in 2002 of sexually assaulting a girl in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Removed from active ministry in 4/02. Arrested by the sheriff's office in 6/02 and charged with eight felony counts. Civil suit filed in 7/02. "On duty outside the diocese" per the 2002 Official Catholic Directory. He had been serving as chaplain in a federal prison out of state until allegations surfaced. Criminal charges dropped in 1/04 due to SOL. Civil suit settled. On Las Cruces diocese's list 11/8/18. Noted to have worked in the Las Cruces diocese in 1996, as a La Tuna Prison chaplain. On San Angelo's list 2/13/19.

Sources:

Fr. Domingo Gonzales Estrada

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1972
Status: Settled

Died: 09/21/2009
Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo TX

Arrested and indicted 5/04 on charges that he had molested a boy 6/90 in Midland TX. Estrada was assigned to Midland from 1986 to 1996. He was living in San Antonio at the time of his arrest. Acquitted in criminal case by jury 12/04. Named in civil suit which settled. Still shown as priest when he died in San Antonio 9/21/09. On San Angelo diocese's list 2/13/19.

Sources:

Fr. John Fernz

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo TX

From Eluru, India. Named publicly as accused by the San Angelo diocese on its list 2/13/19. Removed from ministry in the diocese 4/87. Deceased.

Sources:

Diocese of San Angelo List 02.13.19

Fr. Michael Goode

Order: CPPS
Ordained: 1979
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo TX

Named publicly as accused by the San Angelo diocese on its list 2/13/19. Removed from ministry by the diocese in 6/02.

Sources:

Diocese of San Angelo List 02.13.19

Seminarian Agusti Huerres

Donate Photo

Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo TX

Brought from Spain to TX by diocesan officials in 1999 as a candidate for seminary. Reportedly, his pastor in Spain had given him a negative recommendation. A lawsuit filed in 3/01 alleged that Huerres sexually abused a 15-year-old boy at the parish where Huerres was stationed while awaiting the start of seminary classes. The boy reported the abuse in 2000. The Diocese paid for Huerres to return to Spain with permission from the victim's family and criminal justice authorities. The Diocese said it also notified officials in Spain. Huerres admitted to the misconduct. "Modest" settlement.

Sources:

Fr. Richard Kolega

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1973
Status: Accused

Died: 04/12/1995
Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo TX

Named publicly as accused by the San Angelo diocese on its list 2/13/19. Died 4/12/95. On the Dodge City diocese's lsit 10/1/19, where he was assigned 9/73-8/74 and 1/86-10/91.

Assignments:

Diocese of Dodge City Assignment History 10.31.19

Sources:

Fr. Augustine Lucca

Donate Photo

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Died: 08/16/2009
Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo TX

Named publicly as accused by the San Angelo diocese on its list 2/13/19. Died 8/16/09.

Sources:

Diocese of San Angelo List 02.13.19

Fr. Louis B. Moeller

Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Died: 12/29/2008
Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo TX

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/19. Died 12/29/08.

Sources:

Fr. Gilbert P. Rodriguez

Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo TX

Named publicly as credibly accused by the San Angelo diocese on its list in 4/22. Noted to have been removed from ministry 8/29/18. Investigation ongoing. Rodriguez denied the allegations.

Sources:

Diocese of San Angelo List 04.18.22

Fr. Vince Wiggins

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1981
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo TX

Named publicly as accused by the San Angelo diocese on its list 6/14/19. Laicized 1995.

Sources:

Diocese of San Angelo List 02.13.19

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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.