6 Accused in This Religious Order
Fr. Edward Balestrieri
Removed from ministry 5/1/2002 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 1/24/2009 the Belleville diocesan website gave his status as "Administrative Leave/Retired." Died 9/10/2012. On the Belleville diocese's list of credibly accused 12/19/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.
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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 8/1/2018. Included in the 8/14/2018 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 11/1989. Laicized. Arrested in VA in 2019 for misconduct in 2013 with a minor. No prosecution. Arrested 10/23/2023 in Elyria OH, charged with gross sexual imposition. Barajas, age 76, was staying with families in the area, presenting himself as a retired priest and conducting 'spiritual ceremonies.' He allegedly inappropriately touched a 15-year-old girl while 'blessing' her. The girl was being treated for cancer. A local priest reported the incident to police. Indicted by a grand jury 11/9/2023. Pleaded guilty 2/13/24. To be sentenced 2/27/24.
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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 in the Diocese of Ensenada at a Tijuana parish in 2002. On San Bernardino diocese's list 10/9/2018, noting that police were informed in 2002, and that Gil was removed from the priesthood.
Fr. Timothy M. Murphy
In 1999 a man alleged sexual abuse by Murphy at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in around 1970 when he was age 12. The boy had been hired to work at the rectory. He quit the job after about a year and tried to run away from home. Murphy went on "Leave of Absence for Health Reasons" 1972-1978, during which time worked in southern CA, including as a high school teacher, while living in parish rectories and a monastery. During 1988-1991 he was assigned in Victoria, TX, after which he returned to MD. He wrote his victim a letter of apology in 1993. In 1999 the Archdiocese of Baltimore informed the Trinitarians of the allegation; Murphy's faculties were removed. Sent to Southdown Institute in Canada. Limited in Baltimore to work in the Province Offices. His name appeared on Baltimore's 9/2002 list of accused priests. Murphy died in 2004. The Archdiocese and Trinitarians settled with the victim in 2008 for $42,500. Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.
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.