PRESS RELEASE – June 2020

Since the Release of the names of priests accused of sexual abuse of minors in January of 2019 the Diocese of Santa Rosa has pledged greater transparency in regard to the perpetrators of these crimes. The Diocese was informed by way of a letter dated June 10 (arrived June 17) that an accusation against Reverend Jerome Stack, a member of the Precious Blood Fathers, a Religious Community which operated Cardinal Newman High School from 1971 through 1981, was found credible by the Community’s Review Board. Thus, the Diocese has added the name of Jerome Stack to the list of the accused who served in the Diocese.

The Diocese reiterates that it continues to reach out and respond to victims who come forward. As we noted in January, “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.”

ADDED TO THE LIST IN 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