DIOCESE RESPONDS TO THE REQUEST FOR TRANSPARENCY SANTA ROSA, CA

DIOCESE RESPONDS TO THE REQUEST FOR TRANSPARENCY
SANTA ROSA, CA
Bishop Robert F. Vasa, Bishop of Santa Rosa Diocese, CA

            In the name of the Church, I want, first of all to express my sincere sorrow that so many have been subjected to the evil actions of priests and bishops. Thus, I apologize again, especially for any who have been subjected to injury at the hands of the clergy named below. While the Church has taken some very significant actions over the past twenty years, those actions are significant in terms of the present and future protection of children. However, they do not touch the very real trauma which the evil actions of deacons, priests and bishops have caused in the lives of thousands of young people in our nation. My primary goal in releasing the names of accused priests and deacons who served in Santa Rosa in this public fashion is to give to all the victims of clerical sexual abuse the assurance that they have been heard and that the Church is very much concerned for their well-being and healing. It is my deepest prayer and hope that this release of names in a consolidated fashion says to any of you who are victims, we have heard you, we believe you, we affirm you in your trauma and we want to help with a healing process.

            Bringing difficult things to light is painful. It is painful for victims of childhood sexual abuse, for the People of God, for our priests, and for me. I know of no other way to bring light to this distressing moment in the Church.

            I want to call attention to one portion of the list: the years when the abuses occurred. This is included when the information is available. Sadly, we have had sexual abuse events as late as 2006 and 2008 and I find that most troubling. However, the vast majority of the abuses occurred decades ago. This is not complete proof that the Church is making progress in eliminating this great tragedy, but I find this to be a sign of hope. The dates during which an individual served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa and present status, when known, are also provided. I have divided this list into four different sets identified by the numbers in brackets. (1) Indicates those whose names were released officially by the Diocese in January of 2004. (2) Designates those priests whose names have become a part of a public record, mostly by way of public expressions in the media or on the internet. (3) Identifies those, not otherwise named, whose accusations are deemed by the Diocesan Review Board to be well founded and credible. (4) Designates the names of accused priests who had varying degrees of connection with the Diocese of Santa Rosa and who had claims brought against them in other places. Seventeen of those named here have no known allegations against them during the time of their service or presence in the Diocese of Santa Rosa. The list below does not include any accusations directly associated with Hanna Center since that agency has its own HR, Screening and Reporting Protocols.  

ADDED TO THE LIST IN DECEMBER 2019

Joseph Alzugaray (4)           Ordained for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles April 29, 1967

                                          Incardinated in the Diocese of Santa Rosa June 17, 1996

                                          Accused in 1993 for 1967-1972 abuse in Los Angeles         

                                          Cleared by LA / Retired 10-31-11

                                          Deceased 1-31-14      

                                          No known accusations in the Diocese of Santa Rosa

Carmelo Baltazar (2)              Ordained for the Diocese of Malolos, Philippines June 6, 1960       

                                          Chaplain Queen of the Valley Hospital 1981-82

                                          Left the Diocese of Santa Rosa 11-24-82

                                          Arrested and sentenced 1985

                                          Deceased (San Diego Diocese website)

Edward F. Beutner (4)            Ordained for the Diocese of Superior 1965

                                          Assigned to Mont LaSalle in Napa in 1987

                                          There are no specific details about allegations against him

                                          Deceased 2008

                                          No known accusations in the Diocese of Santa Rosa

Anthony Bolger (2)                Ordained for the Diocese of Santa Rosa December 19, 1969

                                          Excardinated to Honolulu 6-18-84

                                          Accused in 1994 for abuse of a minor in 1972-1973            

                                          In 1994 notified Honolulu of accusation 

                                          Deceased 1-7-2015                                                                            

David Brusky (2)                    Religious Priest Ordained June 9, 1952 

                                          Served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa1981-1985

                                          Allegation made in 2002 for abuse in 1980’s

                                          Reported to DA in 2002

                                          Deceased 2-1-2014

John Crews (2)                      Ordained for the Diocese of Santa Rosa February 14, 1971

                                          Accusation raised by man’s widow 2-1-2013 for 1971-75 actions

                                          Reported to Police February 2013

                                          No Assignment / Retired 2013

Kevin Dunne (4)                    Religious Brother

                                          Accused in 2002 for 1993 abuse elsewhere

                                          Lived at Franciscan Hermitage, Sebastopol 11-19-04 to 7-31-05  

                                          Current status unknown 

                                          No known accusations in the Diocese of Santa Rosa

Don Eagleson (4)                    Ordained for the Diocese of Santa Rosa April 13, 1985

                                            Accused in 2002 of abuse in 1971 prior to ordination

                                            Out of Ministry 4-30-02

                                            Deceased 10-22-2004

                                            No known accusations in the Diocese of Santa Rosa                        

Don D. Flickinger (4)             Ordained for the Diocese of Fresno 1964

                                          Civil suit filed 8-9-11

                                          Chaplain to Christian Brothers Novitiate 1981 to1983

                                          Retired / No known accusations in the Diocese of Santa Rosa

J. Patrick Foley (4)                 Ordained for the Diocese of San Diego 1973

                                          Listed by the San Diego Diocese in 2018

                                          Provided many Missions and Parish Retreats 1998-2006

                                          No known accusations in the Diocese of Santa Rosa

Francis (John) Ford (2)           Incardinated in the Diocese of Santa Rosa January 21, 1971

                                          Belated claim of abuse as a Franciscan prior to 1971

                                          Abuse occurrence in Diocese of Santa Rosa 1974

                                          On Leave January 1, 1979

                                          Deceased 10-21-84

Ruben Garcia (4)                   Ordained for the Diocese of Boise 1972

                                          Named in a civil suit 2-21-94

                                          Served in Diocese of Santa Rosa beginning 11-1973

                                          No known accusations in the Diocese of Santa Rosa

                                          Deceased

Patrick Gleeson (1)                 Ordained for the Diocese of Sacramento June 10, 1947

                                           Incardinated with the Diocese of Santa Rosa when    
                                           established on 2-21-62

                                           Accused in 2004 of abuse 1968-72

                                           Retired 8-21-89

                                           Deceased 4-15-91

Patrick A. Hannon (2)            Religious Priest Ordained July 10, 1949

                                          Served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa 1980 to 1981

                                           Accused in 2000 of abuse 1981

                                           Deceased 1993

Austin Peter Keegan (1)         Ordained for the Archdiocese of San Francisco June 9, 1962

                                          Served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa 1976-81

                                          Accused in 2000 of abuse 1976-81

                                          Removed / Moved to Mexico 1981

                                          Stripped of Duties by San Francisco 1982 

Michael Emmet Kelly (2)       Ordained for the Diocese of Santa Rosa May 15, 1971

                                        Accused in 1999 of abuse 1971-99

                                        Suspended 10-24-99 / Laicized 10-15-04

Don Kimball (1)                     Ordained for the Diocese of Santa Rosa May 24, 1969

                                          Accused in 1990 of abuse in the 1980’s

                                          On Leave / Removed 1990

                                          Convicted in 2002

                                          Deceased 9-15-2006

Bruce Maxwell (4)                  Religious Priest Ordained 1975

                                          Accused in 2002 and removed from all ministry 2002

                                          Chaplain at USCG Training Center Petaluma 1989 to 1992

                                          In residence at Saint James, Petaluma at that same time

                                          No known accusations in the Diocese of Santa Rosa

Patrick McCabe (2)               Ordained for the Archdiocese of Dublin May 21, 1961

                                         Served in Diocese of Santa Rosa 1983-86

                                         Abuse occurrence in the Diocese of Santa Rosa1980’s

                                         Removed 2-27-1986 / Laicized 3-11-1988

John A. Meenan (2)                Ordained for the Diocese of Santa Rosa June 5, 1965

                                          Accusation 1960’s

                                          On Leave 1971 / Laicized 5-23-1975

                                          Deceased 4-21-2009

John Moriarty (4)                   Religious Brother

                                          Christian Brothers’ Retreat House in St. Helena from 1974-78

                                          The Diocese of Santa Rosa has no record of his presence

                                          No known accusations in the Diocese of Santa Rosa

Francis E. Neville (3)             Ordained for the Diocese of Colombo, Sri Lanka about 1973

                                         Served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa1983-84

                                          Accused in 1993 of abuse in1983 

                                          Deceased 10-2002

Mark O'Leary (4)                   Religious Priest Ordained May 19, 1985

                                          Accused in 2002 of acts in Southern California from 1974-1977

                                          Chaplain at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital 1993-2002

                                          Permanently removed from ministry 4-30-2002

                                          No known accusations in the Diocese of Santa Rosa

Vincent O’Neill (1)                Ordained for the Diocese of Santa Rosa May 21, 1971

                                          Accused of abuse in the late 1970’s

                                          Dismissed / Retired 1996

                                          Deceased 11-12-1998

Francisco Javier Ochoa (2)     Ordained for the Jesuits July 4, 1969

                                         Incardinated with the Diocese of Santa Rosa 7-11-1991

                                         Abuse occurrence 2006

                                         Laicized 6-29-2009

                                         Deceased 11-30-2009

Ted Oswald (2)                     Ordained for the Diocese of Santa Rosa June 6, 1984

                                         Accused in 2008

                                          Permanently Removed from Ministry 2008

                                          Deceased 7-4-2010

Xavier Pallathuparambil (3)  Ordained for the Diocese of Vijayapuram, India December 22,
                                      1952

                                       Served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa 2-2-84 to 4-13-84

                                        Dismissed from the Diocese of Santa Rosa 4-13-84

                                        Deceased (India) 5-29-2004

Thomas Parker (2)               Ordained for the Diocese of Santa Rosa April 13, 1985                   

                                        Accused in 2007 of abuse in 1988-89

                                        Police Report 7-10-2007 / Laicized May 2008

Daniel Polizzi (4)                  Ordained for the Diocese of Santa Rosa June 7, 1969

                                         Transferred to the Diocese of San Diego 5-30-70

                                         Accused in 1996 / Removed from ministry 1997

                                          Deceased 2003

                                          No known accusations in the Diocese of Santa Rosa

Celestine Quinlan (4)              Religious Priest Ordained 1957

                                          Named in 2003 civil suit for abuse between 1957-1962 

                                          Served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa 1962 to 1968

                                          Deceased 1970

                                          No known accusations in the Diocese of Santa Rosa                        

John Rogers (1)                    Ordained for the Diocese of Santa Rosa May 23, 1976

                                         Served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa to 9-95 / Accused in 1995

                                         Deceased 11-8-1995

Anthony J. Ross (1)               Ordained for the Diocese of Joliet November 11, 1972

                                         Incardinated with the Diocese of Santa Rosa 8-1-97

                                         Accused in 2002 for abuse in Joliet in 1981

                                         Permanently removed April 2002

                                         No known accusations in the Diocese of Santa Rosa

Alfredo Sobalvarro (3)           Ordained for Archdiocese of Washington, DC May 8, 1971

                                         Served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa 1972 to 1976

                                         Out of Ministry since 2003

Gary Timmons (1)                  Ordained for the Diocese of Santa Rosa May 6, 1967

                                          Served 6-67 to 3-94

                                          Arrested and imprisoned 10-1995 / Laicized 5-15-2001

Francis Verngren (4)              Religious Brother

                                          Mont LaSalle 1969-84 and at Justin Siena 1984

                                          Retired 2002

                                          Tutored in math at Saint Apollinaris 1990 - 2002

                                          Deceased 12-2-2003

                                          No known accusations in the Diocese of Santa Rosa

James Walsh (3)     Ordained for Archdiocese of San Francisco March 20, 1943

                           Incardinated with the Diocese of Santa Rosa when established on 2-21-62

                           Deceased 12-3-93

                           Accusation made in 2005 of abuse in 1965

Bernie Ward (2)                 Religious Priest Ordained 1977

                                      Served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa 1978-1979

                                      Accusation made in 2008

                                      Convicted of child pornography related crime 8-2008

                                      Left priesthood 1979 or 80 / Present ecclesial status unknown

Ron Wiecek (2)                 Religious Priest Ordained 1971                     

                                      Served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa 1970’s

                                      Accusation made to his Religious Community in 2010

                                      Present status unknown

Vincent A. Yzermans (4)         Ordained for the Diocese of St Cloud June 2, 1951

                                          Listed as: On Duty at the Diocese of Santa Rosa 1975-1976

                                          File shows correspondence with Bishop Hurley in 1975

                                          No record of any assignment in the Diocese of Santa Rosa

                                          Deceased 5-4-95 No known accusations in the Diocese of

                                          Santa Rosa
 

ADDED TO THE LIST IN DECEMBER 2019:
Jose Luis Contreras Religious Order Priest (Claretians)
Accusation in San Antonio in 1987 (Recently reported by San Antonio)
Served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa from March 1995 to June 2000
Returned to Mexico in 2000 Present status unknown.
No known allegations in the Diocese of Santa Rosa  

Added June 2020:

Jerome Stack              Religious Order Priest (Precious Blood Fathers)

                                Accusation made to Religious Superior in Ohio in 2019 for 1979

                                abuse.

                                The Religious Community reports that they notified civil authorities

                                 in 2019.

                                 Served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa from 1971 to 1981

                                 Removed from active ministry in 2019

                                 Notice received from Religious Superior on June 10, 2020.
                                 Letter from Religious Community
Added January 2024:

Mark Kristy (4)             Ordained for the Order of Discalced Carmelites.
                                 Accusation made to his Religious Community in 2015.
                                 Out of Ministry.
                                 Ecclesiastical process still ongoing.

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Two names which have received much notoriety are not in the list above.  Bishop Ziemann and Archbishop Nienstedt. While there is much publicity the Archbishop’s situation is still under review by the Holy See. The naming of Bishops accused is exclusively under the authority of the Holy See and I am not authorized to make any revelations regarding them.

 

      Despite the fact that I do want to be entirely open about accusations there are six (6) members of the clergy against whom allegations have been made but which lack sufficient substantiation to justify a release or which, in the judgment of the Diocesan Review Board, may not be released without a Court Order authorizing the Diocese to do so. In three cases the proper authorities investigated and found the allegations not substantiated. One of these remains in ministry. In two cases the allegations came to the Diocese or Religious Community to which the accused belonged, and those entities have not yet determined the suitability of releasing the names. In one case the nature of the event described does not indicate that abuse occurred.

 

      The members of the Diocesan Review Board are aware that six names are retained as confidential. All six of these names have been openly discussed with the Diocesan Review Board. All but two of these names have been revealed to the County District Attorney. Since the two remaining have been reported to Police in a timely fashion and investigated the presumption of innocence and the right to a presumption of innocence must be fully respected. The Diocese does not desire to hide or cover-up anything. The direct involvement of the Diocesan Review Board is one of the strongest measures taken by the Diocese to help assure the fullest degree of transparency permitted by law. This Board has access to everything that the Bishop has seen and heard regarding child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Santa Rosa. In the past, the members of the Board were not identified but in the present moment it seems good to identify them. This is not a body of men and women who simply rubber stamp whatever the Bishop wants. They are conscientious, dedicated men and women with areas of expertise which uniquely qualify them as advisors to the Bishop on these most significant matters. I am most grateful to them for their dedicated service and rely greatly upon their expert advice.

 

Chair: Richard Ortiz, Probation Officer (Retired)

            George Berg, Police Officer

            John Storm, Permanent Deacon, Catholic Restorative Justice Ministry (Employee)

            Dr. Alisa Liguori Stratton, Ph.D., Psychologist

            Dr. Mary Killeen Lyons, Ph. D., Psychotherapist

            Honorable Charlotte Walter Woolard, Retired Judge of the California Superior Court

            Honorable Daniel (Mike) Hanlon, Retired Justice of the California Court of Appeal

  Advisors:      Dan Galvin, Diocesan Attorney

                    Monsignor Daniel Whelton, Vicar for Clergy

                    Fatima Jimenez, Diocesan Director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection
 

Archbishop Nienstedt’s Response:

 

In December 2018, it came to my attention that an allegation had been brought to the Ramsey County (MN) prosecutor in 2016 by a man in the Diocese of New Ulm. It’s my understanding that the man alleged that, while a minor during the 2005 World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany, he and a friend of his and I got caught in a rain storm. The allegation implies that I then invited the two of them to my hotel room, that I changed my clothes in front of the two and invited them to remove their clothes so that those articles of clothing could be dry cleaned. (It’s my understanding the man does not claim any physical touching, hence an allegation of misconduct as opposed to abuse.)

Having lived through the Dallas charter meeting of the USCCB in 2002 which dealt with the crisis in Boston over the sexual abuse of minors by clergy, I would have known enough never to be alone with minors in a hotel room precisely so that such allegations could not be made. Moreover, my own sense of personal modesty would not permit me to undress in front of others.

This allegation was not known to me when I petitioned to minister in the Diocese of Santa Rosa in 2016. I only learned of it on December 13, 2018.

I do not know the motive behind the allegation. But I do know the allegation to be false. I encourage the USCCB to find a fair and impartial forum in which allegations against a bishop, like myself, can be investigated and adjudicated. I welcome an impartial look at the facts and the opportunity to defend myself at the earliest opportunity.