6 Accused in This Religious Order
Fr. Edward Balestrieri
Removed from ministry 5/1/02 after a woman wrote to the Trinitarians to complain that Balestrieri "inappropriately touched her son," age 11, in 1975 in Trenton, NJ, when he was a member of the Order. He had been incardinated into the Belleville Diocese in 1985. On 1/24/09 the Belleville diocesan website gave his status as "Administrative Leave/Retired." Died 9/10/12. On the Belleville diocese's list 12/19/18.
Fr. Luis Jesus Barajas Arias
From Colombia. Assigned to the Harrisburg diocese to assist with the Spanish-speaking population in York and Lebanon. Named as accused by the diocese on its list 8/1/18. Included in the 8/14/18 PA Grand Jury Report. Personnel file shows that in 1989 there were concerns about past allegations against him of child sexual abuse. The diocese gave Barajas money to return to Colombia in 11/89.
Fr. David L. Colella
Placed on leave by his Order in 9/08 after allegation that he sexually abused a minor in 1990 while pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows parish in the Victoria, TX diocese. Worked in the diocese 1981-1990. Colella denied the allegation. Order said it was the first against him. Worked 1990-2004 at parishes in the Dallas, TX diocese. Worked in Philadelphia parishes in retirement. Moved to the Trinitarians' Provincialate in Baltimore, MD. On the Victoria diocese's list 1/31/19.
Fr. Rudi Gil
Gil arrived in the San Bernardino diocese from Canada in 1987. Accused in 1993 of sexual misconduct with a boy in 1987. Faculties removed. Treated in California at a facility run by Servants of Paraclete for "sexual identity issues." Admitted during counseling that he had sexually abused a child. Left after about two weeks because he said his therapist was ineffective. Said San Diego Bishop Gilbert Chavez helped him find a job in Mexico. No criminal charges. In active ministry at a Tijuana parish in 2002. On San Bernardino diocese's list 10/9/18. It noted that police were informed in 2002, and that Gil was removed from the priesthood.
Fr. Timothy M. Murphy
In 1999 an individual alleged sexual abuse by Murphy in the late 1960s to early 1970s. The Archdiocese of Baltimore informed the Trinitarians; Murphy's faculties were removed. Per the 2002 Catholic Directory, he was assigned to Holy Trinity Monastery in Baltimore, where he had been since 1991. His name appeared on Baltimore's 9/2002 list of accused priests. Murphy died in 2004.
Fr. Michael Prouix
Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Sacramento on its list 4/30/19. Allegation received in 2011 of rape of a boy under age 14 in the 1950s. Prouix was assigned to Sacred Heart in Alturas 1945-59.