SUMMARY MATERIALS INCLUDED WITH THE DIOCESAN FILES

When the law firm of Kiesel, Boucher & Larson released the Orange diocesan files, it included a brief "index" summarizing the cases of ten of the accused. It also provided brief descriptions summarizing what the diocese knew about fourteen of the accused. The latter summaries included references to some of the diocesan documents.

Below we provide the index descriptions and also the summaries, with links to the documents cited in the summaries.

INDEX OF CLERGY PERSONNEL FILES

1. Siegfried Widera - Convicted of child molestation in Milwaukee who is transferred to Orange after addtional reports of abuse surfaced in 1976. Went on to abuse numerous children in Orange.

2. Christian Andersen - Convicted of molestation, Diocese of Orange knew of allegations of abuse in 1983 and failed to report to authorities. Instead destroyed letter giving notice and sent Anderson to treatment with Dr. Klaus Hoppe.

3. Eleuterio (Al) Ramos - Los Angeles Archdiocese and then Orange Diocese informed of allegations in 1975. Sent him to treatment with Dr. Klaus Hoppe and St. Luke's Institute as more complaints surfaced, until Bishop Johnson had Ramos leave the country in 1985.

4. John "Jack" Lord - Diocese of Orange was made aware of his issues that kept him from being a priest. The Diocese sent him to counseling with Dr. Hoppe before agreeing to make him a priest of the Diocese. Within five years of being ordained he passed away from AIDS only after molesting at least one child while he was infected.

5. Franklin Buckman - Was sent to counseling with Dr. Hoppe in 1980. In 1984, after one of his victims hired a lawyer, Buckman petitioned to leave the state. As the Diocese received more complaints no further action was taken.

6. Michael Pecharich - Despite numerous complaints in the 1980s and 1990's about sexual misconduct with minors the Diocese refused to discipline Pecharich. Instead in March of 2002 the Diocese misrepresented that no complaints had come since the early 1980's. In response a flood of additional victims came forward.

7. Gary Pacheco - Accused of molesting numerous children in the 1970 and 1980's. The Diocese sent him to counseling with Dr. Klaus Hoppe and subsequently to Jemez Springs, but did not inform authorities of his crimes

8. Bertrand Horvath - In his brief tenure, warning signs of abuse were seen. He was transferred out of Orange to the Diocese of Amarillo where he underwent therapy and was kept from minors.

9. Santino Casimano - Michael.Driscoll made aware of morals problem causing scandal with Domincans. Still Casimano allowed into the Orange Diocese.

10. Robert Richardson - When complaint surface that he abused student at Mater Dei, Father Michael Harris's biggest concern was keeping the report quiet.


SUMMARIES
DIOCESE OF ORANGE: KNOWLEDGE OF SEXUAL ABUSE BY PRIESTS

Father Siegfried Widera

In December of 1976. Archbishop of Milwaukee William Cousins asked Bishop Johnson of Orange to assign Father Siegfried Widera to the Diocese of Orange because Widera was prohibitted by Wisconson law from working in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. See Bates 50900219. Cousins advised: "Father Widera was ordained in 1967 and has done good work for the Diocese in the places which he was assigned. In his earlier years there was [sic] a moral problem having to do with a boy in school. This seemed adequetcly confronted through treatment and an intense desire upon Father's part to avoid any repetition of a previous offense. More recently, howwwever, there has been a repetition..." See Bates 50900219.

Despite this clear warning. in 1981 Monsignor Michael Driscoll and Bishop Johnson accepted Widera into the Diocese of Orange, formally incardinating Widera as a priest of the Diocese. Ironically, they sought a recommendation for Widera's incardination from Father Denis Lyons, another priest of the Diocese of Orange who has been accused of molesting children.

In 1985, complaints were made to Bishop Johnson and Monsignor Driscoll that Widera had molested children of the Diocese of Orange. In response, Widera was sent to Jemez Springs for treatment. After receiving treatment for a time, Widera left Jcmcz Springs for Tucson Arizona, where reports were made to Orange Diocese officials that Widera was ministering as a religious Brother. Sec Bates 50900016


Father Christian Andersen

The Diocese of Orange, Father Duffy, Monsignor Driscoll and Bishop Johnson were made aware of Christen Andersen's pedophilia at least as early as April of 1983. In response, the Diocese sent Christian Andersen to therapy with Dr. Klaus Hoppe. There is no record in Father Andersen's file of either the Diocese nor Dr. Hoppe making a report of suspected child abuse to authorities at that time. There is no record in Andersen's file that the Diocese placed any restrictions on his contact with children nor advised any of his fellow priests that he might pose a risk to children. There is also no record of the Diocese informing any parishioners of any such risks.

Instead, the Diocese destroyed the 1983 letter that alerted the Diocese of the danger Andersen posed. Three years later in 1986, as more complaints surfaced and a criminal investigation was conducted, Andersen plead guilty to child molestation. After Andersen was convicted, he was sent to a facility in Jemez Springs run by the Servants of the Paraclete. The Servants of the Paraclete describe their treatment program (to which many priests besides Anderson have been sent) as "the type of treatment that is offered here for people who are referred for illegal sex offenses." See Bates 51000432. The Servants also tout that their sex offender program has treated "several hundred men". See Bates 51000437. At least as early as 1987, the Servants of the Paraclete advised the Diocese of Orange through the Servants' literature that pedophilia is a "highly habituated preference and is pleasurable to the offender. It is addictive behavior." See Bates 51000433.


Father Eleuterio (Al) Ramos

Starting at least as early as 1975, the church received complaints about Father Eleuterio Ramos's sexual misconduct. See Bates 500600006. As a result of these complaints, Ramos was sent to Dr. Kaus Hoppe for psychotherapy while Fr. Ramos continued in ministry. See Bates 50600007. By 1976, the Diocese of Orange and Bishop William R. Johnson promoted Father Ramos to the Diocesan Tribunal. See Bates 500600519.

Throughout the remainder of the 1970's, additional complaints were made to the Diocese of Orange by parents and teachers about Father Ramos's sexual activities with boys. See Bates 50600021 and 50600053. The Diocese's response kept parishioners and fellow priests in the dark, informing them only that Father Ramos was receiving treatment for alcoholism. See Bates 50600066. All the while, Fr. Ramos was sent to various therapists including Dr. Michael Peterson of the St. Luke's Institute in Maryland, a facility noted for treating pedophile priests. Not once during any of this treatment did any of these therapists report Fr. Ramos to law enforcement nor child protective services.

Numerous complaints were made to the Diocese of Orange and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles about Ramos. Incredibly, after a short stint at St. Luke's Institute, Ramos was returned to parish ministry at St. Angela Merici parish in Brea with the apparent recommendation of then Monsignor Michael Driscoll and Bishop William Johnson.

While at St. Angela, more complaints were received by the Diocese and Monsignor Michael Driscoll. In 1985, after yet another complaint, Ramos admitted to the Orange Diocese that he had "slipped" in an incident with a 17 year-old boy from his parish. See Bates 50600081. After Ramos assured the Diocese that the victim's parents would not pursue legal recourse, the Diocese again sent Ramos to Dr. Hoppe, before finally recommending that Ramos leave the country for Mexico. See Bates 50600582.

In November of 1985, Bishop Johnson wrote to Father Ramos: "I hope you will find your time in Tijuana a fulfilling time, and even though you are living apart from us, you still belong to us. We very much care about what happens to you and we will do whatever needs to be done to be of assistance. Please do not hesitate to call for help if you need it." See Bates 50600102. Ramos stayed in Tijuana until Jun[e] 1993 when Bishop Jaime Soto told Bishop Berlie that there were more allegations against Ramos that were likely true. Bishop Berlie responded by telling Soto that Fr. Ramos was still functioning as a priest and that they have "had cases such as these where men have recovered." See Bates 50600582.

Father Ramos died in 2004. He left in his wake countless victims of his sexual abuse. The personnel file shows that all of the victims that have filed suit were abused by Ramos after the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Orange Diocese knew he was a pedophile.


Father John "Jack" Lord

For many years John "Jack" Lord served as a deacon with the Paulist Fathers, though the Paulists refused to ordain him as a priest. The Paulists, in typically veiled, terms, advised the Diocese of Orange and. specifically, Monsignor Michael Driscoll of their reservations about John Lord. See Bates 5290029. These reservations resulted in John Lord being evaluated and subsequently treated by Dr. Klaus 1-loppe before he was ever allowed to be a priest of the Diocese of Orange. In 1983, Michael Driscoll noted: "some of the issues raised as to knowing the -real jack lord' in your documentation is [sic] also a problem here in Orange." See Bates 52900044.

Despite these issues, in 1983 John Lord petitioned to be incardinated a priest of the Diocese of Orange. Acknowledging his past issues. Lord affirmed: "Especially do I acknowledge that I clearly understand what the law of celibacy means, and I firmly intend to fulfill it ..." See Bates 52900148. In 1984, John Lord completed his intensive psychotherapy with Dr. Klaus Hoppe. From approximately 1985 through 1987. John Lord sexually molested at least one child. In 1989, John Lord died of AIDS. See Bates 52900165.

There is no evidence in the personnel file that at any time the Diocese of Orange nor Dr. Klaus Hoppe made any report to police or child protective services of suspicions that Lord was molesting children.


Father Franklin Buckman

By all accounts, Father Franklin Buckman was a priest on the rise in the Los Angeles Archdiocese and in the Diocese of Orange. He displayed a zeal for administration of the Diocese and its parishes and schools. Eventually, he was appointed as pastor of St. Polycarp Parish in Stanton, a large parish with 4,500 families. At least as early as 1980, the Diocese of Orange received complaints that Father Buckman was sexually molesting boys. In response, the Diocese instructed Buckman to go through therapy with Dr. Klaus Hoppe, which Buckmman did. As with so many other cases, there is no record that Dr. Hoppe made any reports of Buckman's crimes to law enforcement or child protective services.

In 1984, after one of Buckman's victims obtained an attorney, Father Buckman, with the consent of Bishop Johnson, requested a transfer to the Diocese of Baker in Oregon. Before allowing Buckman's transfer, Monsignor Michael Driscoll, now the Bishop of Boise, Idaho, assured the Bishop of Baker that the victim's attorney would not file suit nor press the issue. See Bates 50400085.

While Buckman ministered in the Baker Diocese in subsequent years, victim after victim came forward to report to the Diocese that they had been abused by Buckman. Meanwhile, in a letter to Buckman. Bishop Johnson said "I am delighted to hear that you are enjoying your sojourn in eastern Oregon." See Bates 50400089. In other correspondence, Monsignor Michael Driscoll continued cordial communication with Buckman. See Bates 50400090[A?].

In 2002, in response to the proposed zero-tolerance policy, Bishop Brown wrote to the Bishop of Baker, Robert Vasa, and suggested that Buckman be removed from ministry. Despite the prior complaints, Bishop Vasa responded, "I have no substantial reason to suspect that he represents any kind of risk to the young people of his Parish." See Bates 50400102.


Father Michael Pecharich

In March of 2002, the Diocese of Orange revealed that, nineteen years earlier, Michael Pecharich admitted to sexual misconduct and received counseling for it. The Diocese announced that, since then, there had been no further instances of misconduct. See Bates 50700128. The Diocese lied. Numerous times in 1993, 1995 and 1996, the Diocese received complaints from parishioners that Pecharich engaged in sexual misconduct with minors. See Bates 50700087, 50700161, 50700079, 50700069-70.

Despite the Diocese's assertions, Pecharich's personnel file demonstrates that Church officials suspected Pecharich from the time he was in seminary, delaying his ordination because he was "an extremely immature person." See Bates 50700260. They observed in 1972 "that his personality was complex but that he was going through some sort of crisis..." See Bates 50700258. At his earliest assignment at St. Bridget of Sweden in Van Nuys, he has been accused of molesting children.

Despite his sordid and known history and the many complaints that surfaced, there is no evidence in the file that the Diocese of Orange nor its psychologist made any reports to law enforcement nor child protective services regarding Pecharich. Instead, Pecharich was treated as a respected member of the Diocese.


Father Gary Pacheco

Gary Pacheco has been accused of molesting numerous children in the 1970 and 1980's. lie has admitted in his personnel tile to "professional imprudences." After receiving a complaint in 1988, the Diocese of Orange. under Bishop Norman McFarland, requested Pacheco attend the Servants of the Paraclete facility in Jemez Springs, New Mexico. This was not the first time Father Pacheco had been sent to counseling. Previously, he had been sent to Dr. Klaus Hoppe for what was labeled ''an alcohol problem". In neither instance was there any record in Pacheco's personnel file that reports of Pacheco's crimes were made to law entbbrcement nor that parishioners were informed that Pacheco may have posed a risk to their children. Instead, after Pacheco completed his treatment, he was merely forbidden from ministering in the Diocese of Orange.


Father Bertrand Horvath

In the early to mid 1970's. Bertrand Horvath was assigned to St. Killians, a parish of the then Archdiocese of Los Angeles. During this time. church personnel knew of "problems" with Horvath. He displayed "radical behavior" and was "on edge all the time." See Bates 51800009 and 51800013. Others remember that lie regularly took young boys to the rectory. Sec Bates 51800024. Horvath's personnel file offers no information as to why lie transferred to Los Angeles in the early 70's nor why he left the region.

After he left the Diocese of Orange. Horvath settled in the Diocese of Amarillo where the Bishop of Amarillo ordered Horvath to participate in a therapeutic program and be subject to supervision and monitoring because of his "situation." See Bates 51800027-28. Part of this supervision and monitoring was to ensure I lorvath was not around minors. See Bates 51800037. There is no record in Horvath's tile that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles nor the Diocese of Orange made any effort to report suspected abuse to authorities around the time they first became aware that Horvath was abusing children.


Father Santino Casimano

Father Santino Casimano. a Dominican priest, came to the Diocese of Orange from the Diocese of Gallup. He was in Orange for only a few years. During his brief tenure, Casimano encountered problems with his pastors and was referred to counseling. Casimano refused. See Bates 53800003A. Monsignor Driscoll was made aware of moral issues that resulted in scandal in Casiniano's time with the Dominican Order. During his brief time in Orange, Casimano is accused of molesting at least two boys.


Coach Robert Richardson

Bob Richardson coached track at Mater Dei High School under the leadership of Father Michael Harris. In 1984, one of Richardson's victims reported abuse by Richardson to the staff at Mater Dei. Mater Dei's greatest concern was its ability to keep this report quiet.. as evidenced by a letter from Father Michael Harris to Richardson: "So far we have managed to keep the situation under control, but I live with a certain anxiety that we may have to deal with the media and subsequently more public concern." Sec Bates 52300083. The tile on Richardson reveals no further investigation to deterniinc whether other victims were abused by Richardson.


Sofronio Aranda

Sofronio Aranda was a Philippine born priest who worked as a priest in the Philippines from 1963 through 1976 when he came to St. Mary's in Fullerton. There is no explanation in the personnel file as to why Father Aranda sought to come to the Diocese of Orange from the Philippines. Father Aranda stayed in the Diocese of Orange for only four years during which time he had numerous problems with his pastors and fellow priests. See Bates 51200014-20 and 51200022-25. In letters from Father Aranda to Monsignor Driscoll, Father Aranda refers in only the vaguest terms to his "problems"and requests the opportunity to speak with Monsignor Driscoll to address them. See Bates 51200016 [p. 3 of the letter]. After being assigned to St. Mary's for less than two years, Aranda was transferred to Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in La Habra where he remained for only one year. During this time he is alleged to have molested a child.

In 1979 Father Aranda petitioned to work as a chaplain for the Navy, this petition was granted and he left the Orange Diocese. Less than a year later, Father Aranda attempt to gain work in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The Archdiocese refused to allow him. See Bates 51200040.


Arthur Fernando

Arthur Fernando was ordained in 1934 in Columbo, Ceylon now Sri Lanka. He worked as a priest in Ceylon until 1970, when he took a leave of absence and transferred to the New York Archdiocese. The only explanation in his personnel file for this transfer is to study catholic life in the United States for 2 years. See Bates 54000002 and 54000043. Significantly, his transfer records indicate the Bishop of Ceylon forwarded a testimonial letter regarding Fernando. That testimonial letter is not in his personnel file.

Father Fernando stayed in the New York Archdiocese until the end of August 1973, at which time he came to the Los Angeles Archdiocese and was granted permission to minister at St. Pius V parish in Buena Park. Though there is no explanation in his personnel file for the move from New York to Los Angeles, an allegation has been made that Father Fernando, molested a girl in New York prior to his transfer. During his time at St. Pius V, he is accused of molesting at least one girl. Also, there is no explanation in his personnel file for his move from Ceylon to New York.

In 1979, Fernando asked to be transferred from his then-current assignment at Holy Family parish in Seal Beach. Monsignor Driscoll responded that there were no other assignments available in the Diocese of Orange for Father Fernando and that the Bishop would only allow him to minister in the Diocese if Father James Pierse allowed Fernando to stay at Holy Family parish. See Bates 54000045. In response, Father Fernando went back to Ceylon, apparently never to return. From Ceylon Fernando wrote to Monsignor Driscoll and Monsignor Rawden of the Los Angeles Archdiocese "stating my case and pleading for his kind consideration." See Bates 54000007. After this correspondence there is no further record of Father Fernando in his personnel file.


Father John Kenney

John Kenney was ordained a priest in 1968 in Los Angeles. He was assigned to St. Andrews in Pasadena from 1968-1971, and to St. Cecilia's in Tustin from 1971-1975. In August of 1975 he was assigned to St. Rose of Lima Parish in Maywood and almost immediately began having problems with the parishioners and the pastor. See Bates 50100023. He was transferred to St. Norbert's in Orange soon thereafter. See Bates 50100025. He was at St. Norbert's for barely more than a year before he requested to be transferred to the Diocese of Baker because he would "like to have a change of scenery for a year..." See Bates 50100027. Father Kenney made this request on May 21, 1977.

An internal memo makes clear that the his explanation of seeking a change of scenery was not his real reason for requesting a transfer. See Bates 50100028. Ironically, within three days of Kenney sending his letter requesting a transfer, there are innumerable letters from parishioners at St. Norbert's asking for the Bishop not to transfer Father Kenney. The letters make obvious that the requested transfer is not Father Kenney's idea at all. Several make reference to complaints that have been leveled against Kenney. See Bates 5010[1]19 and 50100121. Another letter in support of Kenney states that on at least one youth group retreat Father Kenney slept with the kids on the retreat. See Bates 50100194.

After initially rejecting Father Kenney's request to transfer to the Diocese of Baker, the Diocese of Orange, through Michael Driscoll on June 15, 1977, gave its permission for the transfer. See Bates 50100030 and 50100031. Barely more than one month later, Father Kenney died in a motorcycle crash in Oregon. See Bates 50100033 and 50100062. During his time at St. Cecilia's and St. Norbert's, Father Kenney is accused of molesting at least three boys.


Gerald Plesetz

The personnel file for Former Father Gerald Plesetz contains no records of his employment save his formal laicization document and his acceptance of laicization. There is no explanation in Plesetz's personnel for the lack of employment records for him. See Bates 53400029. Plesetz is accused of impregnating at least two girls during the time he was a priest, one a 16 year old and the other a 23 year old. See Bates 53400001.

The 16 year-old was a student at Mater Dei High School in 1974-75 at the time of the abuse. The girl's older sister was a teacher at Mater Dei and Counselors at the school repeatedly asked the girl if she was doing okay. There is no record in the file of any report being made to law enforcement. The girl gave birth to a child at Catholic Community Service in San Diego where she gave the baby up for adoption. Plesetz is alleged to have signed for the adoption. See Bates 53400004.

The second girl, the 23 year-old, was allegedly abused a few years later between 1977 and 1978. Paternity tests purportedly verify that Plesetz is the father of the child born out of this abuse. See Bates 53400024. Plesetz was laicized or thrown out of the priesthood in June of 1978. See Bates 53400030-31. As of 2002, Plesetz was purportedly practicing as a Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor in Orange County and was serving as a lay minister. See Bates 53400002.