Arizona Priests Accused of Abuse

There are multiple reports of sexual abuse across multiple Arizona dioceses. Additionally, childhood sexual abuse victims continue coming forward to share their stories and seek justice. These include lawsuits and allegations against Saints Parish, Mary Parish, Peace Parish, the Frances Carbini Parish, Immaculate Conception Parish, Patrick Parish, Jude Parish, and more.

Our Arizona clergy abuse lawyer team is committed to helping victims navigate a civil lawsuit for attempted sexual misconduct or file a class action litigation against a larger religious organization.

Arizona Catholic Diocese Priest Sex Abuse List

Diocese of Phoenix AZ

Donald R. Verhagen

• Sued
  

A civil lawsuit filed in February 2011 accused Verhagen of sexually abusing a girl in the late 1970s or early 1980s while assigned to St. Mark’s Parish in Phoenix. The accuser also alleged abuse by another priest from the same parish during the same period. Verhagen died on September 20, 2001.

Solomon Bandiho

• Arrested
  

Bandiho, a priest of the Diocese of Bukoba in Tanzania, was arrested on charges related to child prostitution. At the time of his arrest, he was a doctoral student at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California. The record does not note subsequent ecclesiastical outcomes.

James Bretl

• Sued
  

Bretl was accused in a civil lawsuit of sexually abusing a girl in the late 1970s or early 1980s while assigned to St. Mark’s Parish in Phoenix. The allegation arose alongside claims involving another priest from the same parish. No criminal disposition is noted in the record.

George V. Bredemann

• Convicted
  

Before and after ordination, Bredemann abused numerous boys, including at least fifteen prior to becoming a priest and eight afterward. Formerly associated with the Boy Scouts, he was laicized in 2003. He was convicted and died in prison in April 2012 while serving his sentence.

Joseph Cervantez Briceno

• Convicted
  

Placed on leave in 1992 following allegations of sexual abuse, Briceno fled to Mexico and was arrested in 2005. He pleaded guilty in 2006 and was sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years of probation for sexual abuse-related offenses.

Patrick J. Colleary

• Indicted
  

Colleary was accused of abusing an 11-year-old boy in 1979 and later fled to Ireland. In 2003, he was indicted for sexual abuse involving another boy during the 1970s. The record does not note whether extradition or trial proceedings were completed.

Laurence A. Florez

• Sued
  

Two men, including Florez’s nephew, alleged sexual abuse by Florez and two other priests. The civil case was barred by the statute of limitations. Florez had already left the priesthood before the lawsuit was filed, and no criminal charges are recorded.

Adrian Cristobal

• Sued
  

Cristobal, former Chancellor of the Diocese of Agana in Guam, was found guilty by the Vatican of child sexual abuse. He was called back to his home diocese but defied orders to return to Guam. A civil lawsuit later named him in connection with abuse allegations.

John Maurice Giandelone

• Convicted
  

Arrested in 1984, Giandelone confessed to molesting a youth over several years and pleaded guilty in 1985. He was laicized in 1992. Convicted again in 2003, he was sentenced to one year and ten months in prison followed by three years of probation.

Dale J. Fushek

• Convicted
  

Fushek was accused of abusing five youths between 1985 and 1994 and of sexual harassment of a Life Teen staff member. Founder of the Praise and Worship Center in Chandler, Arizona, he was excommunicated by his bishop following criminal proceedings and convictions.

Charles Gielow

• Accused
  

In March 2014, the Diocese of Phoenix announced that a credible allegation had been made against Gielow involving sexual abuse of a minor in the late 1970s. The disclosure did not reference criminal charges or civil litigation related to the allegation.

Harold P. Graf

• Accused
  

Graf was suspended in 2002 after allegations of sexual misconduct with a child surfaced. Bishop Thomas O’Brien permanently barred him from ministry. The record notes no criminal prosecution or civil lawsuit connected to the allegation.

Gavin Griffith

• Indicted
  

A Franciscan priest, Griffith was publicly identified in 1987 by the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans as accused of sexually abusing minors between 1979 and 1985. He was later indicted and died in 2017. No further disciplinary outcomes are detailed.

Jose Hurtado

• Sued
  

As of October 2006, Hurtado was named in an outstanding civil lawsuit alleging sexual abuse. He died in 1981. The record does not specify dates of alleged abuse or the resolution of the civil claim.

Edward Henriques

• Sued
  

Henriques was named in a 2008 civil lawsuit as a possible abuser of a six-year-old girl in Santa Barbara, California. Allegations referenced abuse occurring in 1949 and 1963. The suit cited prior complaints received decades earlier involving sexual abuse of a minor.

Joseph John Henn

• Guilty plea
  

Henn abused minors in Arizona, California, and Wisconsin after being assigned to an all-girls school in Sacramento. Indicted on thirteen counts involving three boys between 1979 and 1981, he fled to Rome shortly before extradition proceedings were announced.

Sung Lam

• Accused
  

Originally from Cambodia, Lam was accused in 1993 of inappropriate conduct classified as a misdemeanor. The matter was not prosecuted. He departed the Diocese of Phoenix in 1994 following the allegation, and no further ministerial assignments or legal outcomes are noted in the record.

Karl LeClaire

• Convicted
  

Placed on leave in 2001, LeClaire later pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a boy over a seven-year period. He was sentenced to one year in jail followed by three years of probation. The conviction ended his ministerial service in the Diocese of Phoenix.

Mark Allen Lehman

• Convicted
  

Lehman was placed on leave in 1990 and sentenced in 1992 to ten years in prison without parole for sexually abusing a young girl. He was released in 2002 and subsequently received financial compensation and benefits following his incarceration.

Joseph Marcel Lessard

• Convicted
  

In 1986, Lessard admitted to sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy in Phoenix. He received a sentence of three years probation and a $100 fine. He was later removed from ministry by a hospital employer and by the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois, in February 2001.

Mark A. Liening

• Accused
  

Also known as Marcellus, Liening was named publicly as accused by the Franciscans’ Santa Barbara Province on its list dated May 31, 2019. He was also included on accused lists published by the Dioceses of Oakland and Las Cruces in 2019 and the Diocese of Fresno in 2021.

Michael Minogue

• Accused
  

Minogue was accused of harassment involving a young man and resigned in 2005, initially citing health reasons. He was reinstated in January 2007. As of June 4, 2008, he was listed as retired on the Diocese of Phoenix website.

Jorge Ortiz Lopez

• Settled
  

A civil lawsuit filed in 1994 alleged that Lopez sexually abused an altar boy in 1975 while assigned to Sacred Heart Parish in Prescott. The case settled in 1996. Lopez was later included on the Franciscans’ Santa Barbara Province list in 2018.

Harry R. Morgan

• Convicted
  

Ordained for the Diocese of Gallup, Morgan later served in the Diocese of Phoenix after its creation in 1969. He was arrested in 1975 for sexually abusing a nine-year-old boy and was sentenced to ten years of probation.

Saul Madrid

• Settled
  

Raised in Chihuahua, Mexico, Madrid was ordained for the Diocese of Phoenix. A civil lawsuit filed in 2003 alleged sexual abuse occurring in 1987. The claim was resolved through a settlement, and no criminal disposition is noted.

Thomas J. O’Brien

• Sued
  

Former Bishop of Phoenix, O’Brien admitted to covering up sexual abuse by priests during his tenure. He was later charged in a fatal hit-and-run accident and resigned from office. A civil claim subsequently accused him of sexually abusing a boy.

Maxwell Rollin Pelton

• Sued
  

Pelton was arrested in connection with allegations involving a ten-year-old boy. He died before final criminal charges were filed, and the record does not indicate the outcome of any related civil proceedings.

Henry Perez

• Indicted
  

Perez served in the Diocese of Phoenix from 1976 to 1984 and was later incardinated into the Diocese of Orange in 1989. He was sued twice in Phoenix in 1993 and left the priesthood to marry. In 2003, he was indicted in Phoenix for abuse alleged to have occurred in the 1970s and early 1980s.

James S. Rausch

• Accused
  

In deposition testimony related to a separate diocesan case, a man stated that he was seventeen years old when he entered into a sexual relationship with Rausch. No criminal charges or ecclesiastical penalties are detailed in the record.

Jude Ruetten (Charles)

• Accused
  

Ruetten was named publicly as accused by the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans on its list dated May 31, 2019. He was later added to the Diocese of Stockton’s list on November 12, 2020. He died on December 27, 2015.

Marcel Salinas

• Sued
  

Salinas was accused in civil claims of sexually abusing a nine-year-old boy in 1988 and a ten-year-old girl in 1976. He died in 1997. The record does not note criminal proceedings or final civil outcomes.

James A. Sinnerud

• Sued
  

Sinnerud was suspended from Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska. He was later sued by a former student who alleged sexual abuse. No criminal disposition is noted in the provided information.

Wilputte Alanson Sherwood

• Convicted
  

Sherwood was arrested in 1984 and again in 1986 for public indecency. In 1987, he was convicted of sexual contact and attempted sexual contact with a fourteen-year-old boy and sentenced to ten years in prison. He disappeared in 2005 and died on December 29, 2017.

John D. Spaulding

• Indicted
  

Spaulding was removed from ministry without faculties in 2011 following allegations of misconduct with a minor in the mid-1980s. He had been indicted in 2010 for sexually abusing two boys under age fifteen between 2003 and 2007. He died in 2020.

Richard Allen Suttle

• Accused
  

During 1982–1983, Suttle was accused of sexually abusing a student while serving as a teacher and coach at Sacred Heart grammar school in Prescott, Arizona. The Diocese of Phoenix conducted an internal investigation and referred the matter to the Claretians, the religious order with which he was affiliated. No criminal charges or civil resolutions are noted in the available record.

Kenneth A. Van de Ven

• Accused
  

Van de Ven was accused of sexual harassment involving a young male and was placed on leave in June 2005. At the time, the congregation stated publicly that his departure was for health reasons, a characterization later clarified to reflect the allegation. In January 2007, the Diocese of Phoenix indicated he could return to ministry, but he declined reinstatement.

Douglas Zlatis

• Sued
  

A member of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers, Zlatis was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Phoenix on October 29, 2019. He served as vice-principal of St. Matthew’s School in Phoenix from 2001 to 2008. Civil litigation named him in connection with abuse allegations, though the record does not specify criminal proceedings or outcomes.

John William Vovko

• Convicted
  

Vovko was convicted in 1990 of attempting to molest a two-year-old boy. He later died in December 2010. His name was subsequently included on the Diocese of Cleveland’s list of credibly accused clergy. The conviction resulted in his permanent removal from ministry, and no further assignments are recorded following the offense.

Diocese of Tucson AZ

James N. Thompson

• Accused
  

Publicly identified in February 2004 by the Diocese of Tucson as credibly accused of child sexual abuse. During 1964–1965, he was assigned to St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Phoenix, which at that time fell under the Diocese of Tucson. The allegation concerns conduct involving a minor during that period. Thompson died in 1982, prior to public disclosure of the allegation.

Richard Edmund Butler

• Accused
  

Butler served at St. Thomas More Newman Center in Tucson from 1968 to 1974 and acted as chaplain-director of Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson. He was later identified as the subject of credible allegations involving sexual misconduct with minors, with reported abuse occurring during the 1960s and early 1970s. No criminal disposition is noted in the record.

Patrick J. Callanan

• Accused
  

Callanan was included on a June 2002 list of fifteen priests with ties to the Diocese of Tucson who were alleged to have abused minors. The allegation was reportedly received in June 2002 and involved conduct occurring decades earlier. Callanan died in 1975, long before the allegation became public.

Carlos B. Cocio

• Sued
  

Cocio was suspended from ministry in 1993 following allegations of sexual misconduct with an adult. He was later accused of repeatedly raping a teenage boy over several days in 1980. Civil litigation followed, and he was ultimately laicized in 2012. The record reflects both adult and minor-related allegations across different periods.

William T. Byrne

• Settled
  

Between 1976 and 1979, Byrne was accused of sexually abusing a boy and providing drugs and alcohol. Eleven civil lawsuits involving ten plaintiffs were filed, including claims by two sisters alleging their brothers had abused them. In November 2000, Byrne settled the suits for approximately $14 million. No criminal conviction is noted.

Jorge Washington Cordova Hernandez

• Accused
  

Originally from the Diocese of Quito, Ecuador, Hernandez was accused of sexually abusing two teenage girls while serving in Arizona. He fled to Ecuador before arrest and was later detained in Spain in 2007. The allegations span multiple jurisdictions and involve efforts to evade prosecution following disclosure.

Ron DeChant

• Arrested
  

DeChant served as a deacon at St. Francis de Sales Parish from 1981 to 1984. He was arrested in connection with allegations involving sexual misconduct. DeChant died in 1984, shortly after the period of reported conduct, and no long-term legal resolution is reflected in the record.

George M. Dyke

• Sued
  

Dyke was named in 2003 as credibly accused of sexual abuse. He had been laicized in 1968 at his own request. Civil litigation later identified him in connection with abuse allegations, though no criminal prosecution is noted in the available record.

John P. Doran

• Sued
  

Doran was accused of abuse dating to 1963 and was confronted by Bishop Green as early as 1958. He admitted to abusive behavior in 1966. Despite this, he was later appointed a diocesan consulter in 1969 and remained active until retiring in 1990. Civil claims later brought the conduct to light.

Robert A. Gluch

• Settled
  

Multiple allegations were made against Gluch across several decades. A 2002 lawsuit accused him of abusing a boy beginning in 1965 when the victim was 13. A separate federal lawsuit filed in December 2020 alleged abuse of an altar boy in 1978. Civil matters were resolved through settlement.

Juan Guillen

• Convicted
  

Guillen and co-defendant Velez pleaded guilty in 2003 to abusing three boys and received ten-year prison sentences with lifetime probation. By 2004, seven plaintiffs had filed four civil suits, which were settled in 2005 and 2006 for approximately $1.2 million. The case involved both criminal convictions and civil resolution.

Charles Knapp

• Sued
  

In March 2021, a woman alleged that Knapp sexually abused her in the 1970s when she was five years old. The reported abuse occurred in her bedroom under the guise of play while her parents were occupied nearby. The allegation was brought through civil litigation decades after the alleged events.

Ray Miranda

• Accused
  

Miranda was suspended from all ministry in 1983 following allegations of child sexual abuse. The record does not detail specific assignments or outcomes beyond his removal from ministerial duties at that time.

Fernando L. Manzo

• Indicted
  

Manzo served as pastor of San Felipe de Jesus Parish in Nogales, Arizona. He was placed on leave in December 2003 after allegations of sexual abuse and subsequently fled, reportedly to Guadalajara. Manzo was formally removed from the priesthood in 2010 following the unresolved allegations.

Francis Miller

• Accused
  

Miller, a priest with the Order of Discalced Carmelites, was placed on leave in 2003 after credible accusations of child molestation. The record does not specify criminal charges or civil outcomes but notes his removal from active ministry following the allegations.

John A. Oliver

• Convicted
  

Oliver, a monsignor, was accused of picking up a 14-year-old boy who was hitchhiking, transporting him to a private residence, providing alcohol, and sexually abusing him. He was later convicted in connection with the offense. The case involved direct criminal proceedings and adjudication.

George Pirrung

• Accused
  

The Diocese of Tucson later identified two additional allegations against Pirrung dating to 1966. Despite the findings, no action was taken during his lifetime. Pirrung died in 2016, and the allegations were disclosed posthumously.

Paul J. Ranft

• Sued
  

Ranft was named in a civil lawsuit alongside six other priests by a woman who alleged abuse while she was a student at Immaculate Heart Academy. The claims addressed institutional and individual responsibility for misconduct occurring during her enrollment.

Claudio Riol

• Accused
  

Ordained for the Diocese of Trujillo, Peru, Riol served in the Diocese of Tucson from 1960 to 1966. He was later accused of abuse involving a minor. Riol is deceased, and no criminal proceedings are noted in the available record.

Thomas Patrick Purcell

• Convicted
  

Purcell professed Marianist vows in 1959, was ordained in 1972, and left the order in 1990 before incardination into the Diocese of Fresno. He was accused and later convicted of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy during 1982–1983. The case involved criminal adjudication following his departure from the order.

Rosaria Riter

• Accused
  

Ruth Marie Riter, a Benedictine Sister, was accused of sexually abusing a boy between 1949 and 1953. The allegations surfaced decades later. She died in 1996, prior to public disclosure or legal action.

Walter F. Rosensweig

• Settled
  

Rosensweig, a former diocesan chancellor, was placed on leave in 1996 and removed from public ministry in 2002. He was named in a second lawsuit filed in 2003. He later appeared on the Diocese of Tucson’s list of credibly accused clergy and died in 2016.

Charles Rourke

• Settled
  

Rourke was suspended from ministry in 1984 for alcohol-related medical reasons and was aware of child abuse allegations against him as early as 1979. While under investigation for alleged abuse of children in Albuquerque, he died by suicide on April 14, 1993. Civil matters were settled prior to his death.

Julian Sanz

• Convicted
  

A priest originally from Spain, Sanz was arrested for sexually abusing children while serving in the Diocese of Tucson. Criminal proceedings resulted in a prison sentence of five years. Following conviction, he was removed from the priesthood in 2010, ending his clerical status and formal ministry.

Clemens M. Schlueter

• Accused
  

Ordained for the Diocese of Steubenville, Schlueter later transferred to the Diocese of Tucson and retired in 1990. In 1997, he was suspended from ministry following an allegation of child sexual abuse. No criminal disposition is reflected, but the allegation led to permanent removal from active ministry.

Byron Wayne Schoolcraft

• Accused
  

Schoolcraft was suspended from ministry after allegations that he sexually molested an 11-year-old girl in Arizona. He was subsequently incarcerated for five years in connection with the offense. The record reflects both removal from clerical duties and a custodial sentence related to the abuse.

Phillip G. Speers

• Convicted
  

Speers, a former seminary student and teacher at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in Yuma, Arizona, was accused of sexually abusing at least five girls in a second-grade classroom during the 1999–2000 school year. Criminal proceedings followed, resulting in conviction related to the abuse.

Steven Gerard Stencil

• Accused
  

In 2000, a youth reported that Stencil groped him at age 17 during a pool party. Church officials determined the incident was accidental, yet Stencil was placed on leave in 2001. He was later removed from the priesthood in 2011, ending his clerical status.

Floyd G. Stromberg

• Sued
  

Stromberg retired in 2002 and was placed on leave that same year after confirming an allegation of abuse dating to 1966. He was later named in a civil lawsuit filed in 2006. Stromberg died in 2007 while the matter remained within the civil court process.

Robert C. Trupia

• Settled
  

Trupia served as Judicial Vicar and was suspended in 1992 following allegations of abuse. He was named in multiple civil suits, arrested, and charged in 2001. Seven criminal charges were dismissed due to the statute of limitations. He was laicized in 2004 and was living in Maryland by 2010.

Michael J. Teta

• Settled
  

Transferred from the Diocese of Trenton to Tucson in 1978 and incardinated in 1982, Teta was accused of sexual abuse in several civil lawsuits. He was laicized in 2004 and named in an additional lawsuit later that year. The allegations resulted in civil settlements and removal from ministry.

Gary E. Underwood

• Guilty plea
  

Underwood was arraigned in 2006 on eight counts of molesting two boys under age 15 at St. Odilia’s Catholic Church. He was placed on leave in 2007 and later indicted again in 2008 for abuse of another youth in 1985–1986. The case involved a guilty plea and multiple criminal proceedings.

Richard Zamorano

• Sued
  

Zamorano moved to Tucson in 2002 to care for his mother and later taught at Salpointe Catholic High School. After adopting two boys from Mexico, he was removed from ministry in 2012 following allegations that he sexually assaulted a mentally disabled adult parishioner. Civil litigation followed the allegation.

About Clergy Child Sexual Abuse in Arizona

Arizona is overseen by three dioceses: the Phoenix Diocese, the Tucson Diocese, and the Gallup Diocese. An early 2000s investigation into Arizona dioceses resulted in a published list of clergy member offenders. Catholic church members like priests, bishops, and officials have admitted to child abuse or sexual misconduct dating back many decades.

The District Attorney’s Office investigated some of the credibly accused offenders from the Catholic church, with some cases of sexual misconduct and child sex abuse leading to settlement offers.

Headlines included lawsuits against St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Margaret Mary Parish, Holy Angels Parish, Peace Parish, Saints Parish, and Frances Cabrini Parish (also known as the Francis Parish), among others. Church leaders and Catholic priests faced a stream of lawsuits as more child sex abuse victims came forward.

In many cases, it’s not too late to come forward to ensure accountability and recover damages for yourself or a loved one. Injury Lawyer Team has the experience necessary to take on an Arizona diocese guilty of sexual contact or abuse.

Legal Support and Civil Lawsuits for Survivors in Arizona

Legal services allow those with credible sexual abuse allegations to seek compensation through a civil lawsuit.

Injury Lawyer Team has experience in representing sexual abuse victims, helping them build a child sex abuse case against Catholic dioceses, such as the Holy Angels Parish or Margaret Mary Parish, and ensuring that those accused of sexual abuse are held accountable.

Our clergy abuse attorney team assists childhood sexual assault victims in investigating and building a strong case. We also represent you during negotiations and are prepared to take your case to trial when necessary.

What Laws Govern Priest Abuse Lawsuits in Arizona

Arizona has enacted several laws to help protect people and ensure victims of childhood sexual assault can receive justice or compensation. These laws often apply to religious organizations, such as Blessed Sacrament Parish, although they are not specific to lawsuits against religious leaders.

For example, legislation rarely mentions credibly accused priests or Catholic bishops, but the law does still apply to clergy members.

Age of Consent

In Arizona, sexual conduct with a minor is governed by A.R.S. 13-1405, which criminalizes intercourse or oral sexual contact with anyone under 18 years old.

Depending on the age of the minor and the adult’s relationship to them, the offense is classified in different felony classes: for example, sexual conduct with a minor who is at least 15 is typically a class-6 felony, but becomes a class-2 felony if the defendant is in a “position of trust” (such as a teacher, guardian, or clergy).

Arizona also has a “close-in-age” or “Romeo and Juliet” defense under A.R.S. 13-1407, which allows a person to defend against prosecution if the minor is 15-17, the defendant is under 19 (or in high school), and the age difference is no more than 24 months, provided the conduct was consensual.

Statute of Limitations

House Bill 2466 in Arizona allows child sex abuse victims to file civil lawsuits against an abuser, including credibly accused priests or Catholic bishops, up until their 30th birthday. This newer bill extends the previous statute of limitation from 20 years of age to 30 years.

Arizona doesn’t have a time limit on filing criminal charges against a person accused of serious felony abuse charges. Some sexual misconduct cases do require victims to file criminal charges within seven years.

Those convicted of criminal or civil charges involving sexual abuse may be subject to felony charges, legal fines, and required registration with the national sex offender registry. It depends on the nature of the crime committed.

Injury Lawyer Team recommends filing both criminal and civil charges in a suit of alleged abuse, ensuring offenders are punished for their crimes and required to compensate their victims.

Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Arizona

Filing a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit in Arizona involves the following steps:

• Schedule a Free Consultation – Schedule a free consultation with Injury Lawyer Team to learn more about your legal options.
• Collect Evidence and Build a Case – Your legal team will collect evidence on your behalf and build a case against the clergy member or guilty party.
• Review Settlement Offer – In some cases, churches are willing to offer settlements to try to cover up a credible allegation. A settlement offer can save you time and money, but it may not always lead to justice served.
• Prepare for Trial – If your case doesn’t receive a fair settlement offer, our legal team will prepare you for trial, allowing an AZ court jury to decide your case.

Contact Injury Lawyer Team to file your clergy lawsuit. Whether it’s getting the Catholic bishops or Arizona state prison chaplain accused of abuse listed on the AZ sex offender registry or collecting compensation to assist with your recovery, our legal team is here to help you each step of the way.

Support Resources for Survivors in Arizona

Overcoming the psychological and financial impacts of abusive priests and church leaders requires support and legal services. Here are a few support resources available to those affected by Catholic Church sexual assault cases.

• Enough Abuse Campaign – The Enough Abuse Campaign aims to help victims of sexual abuse through online support, reporting tools, and counseling resources.
• SNAP Support Groups – SNAP Support Groups are specifically designed for those abused or victimized by church officials, such as Catholic priests.
• Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault – This organization offers support to Arizona residents affected by sexual assault, rape, and harassment.
• Arizona Mission Network – The Arizona Mission Network offers sexual abuse response resources to those affected by sexual contact crimes. This is not religion-specific, but can help victims who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic priests.

The best way toward recovery is seeking the support of available resources, including those listed, and consulting with an Arizona legal representative.

Notable Cases and Outcomes in Arizona

Diocese of Tucson and Diocese of Phoenix

Child sexual abuse and assault are far too common in Arizona. The Arizona dioceses of Tucson and Phoenix together reported 44 priests or clergy members accused of sexual abuse.

Due to numerous lawsuits, the Tucson Diocese filed for bankruptcy in 2004. The Tucson diocese was ordered to pay victims over $22 million in settlement funds. The Phoenix Diocese provided financial support and contributed to this fund.

Other Clergy Accused of Sexual Abuse

Since then, numerous occurrences of Arizona clergy sexual abuse cases have been in the news. The cases are far too common, from a priest working at a parish-grade school to a clergy member working with Salpointe Catholic High School. A priest at Northern AZ University and the Vincent de Paul Parish in Phoenix have also been at the center of allegations.

The Database of Publicly Accused Priests offers public information on clergy members who have been accused of abuse. The Phoenix diocese’s list, as well as others, is also frequently updated.

Our attorneys have reviewed public and private settlement data related to Arizona clergy abuse settlements. Depending on the circumstances of your case, these cases may be valued between $400,000 and $950,000. In cases of extreme sexual conduct or cases that go to trial, damages could exceed $1 million.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team

Injury Lawyer Team have experience holding those credibly accused accountable for their wrongdoings. Sexual misconduct involving minors, a mentally disabled adult parishioner, or vulnerable adults has life-changing consequences, and filing a case in civil claims court allows you to recover the funds you need to assist in your recovery.

Whether you or a loved one was the victim of repeated sexual abuse or a one-time assault by a parish priest, we have the discretion and compassion needed to handle these sensitive case types. Credible allegations should never be ignored, and our legal team is here to seek justice. Make sure you explore your legal options before the statute of limitations expires.

When going up against large dioceses, you need an experienced legal team fighting for your rights. Inappropriate sexual contact, child pornography, sexual assault, and abuse are far too common in Arizona dioceses.

Injury Lawyer Team has the expertise you need when filing a lawsuit against a Catholic University or church, ensuring that those who abuse or misuse their power experience consequences.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation and understand your rights to file a sexual abuse lawsuit.

Related Practice Areas

Arizona Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.