Diocese of Monterey Sexual Abuse Allegations

The Diocese of Monterey sexual abuse allegations have deeply shaken families and communities who once placed their trust in the Catholic Church.

For decades, survivors stayed silent, many out of fear, shame, or because their reports were dismissed by Church leadership. Today, more people are finding the strength to speak out, supported by new laws and a growing understanding of the long-term impact of child sexual abuse.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we stand with those who were harmed by the very institutions meant to protect them. If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, know that you’re not alone, and you have every right to seek answers.

Whether the abuse occurred years ago or more recently, our team is committed to helping clergy abuse survivors hold institutions accountable through civil lawsuits. With years of experience supporting survivors of clergy sexual abuse across California dioceses, including the Diocese of Monterey, we offer confidential, respectful guidance every step of the legal process.

Who Are the Accused Priests in the Diocese of Monterey?

Records by Bishop Accountability

Public disclosures and reports compiled by Bishop Accountability identify numerous California priests accused of abuse connected to the Diocese of Monterey. The following clergy members were publicly named due to allegations of child sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, or other unlawful sexual behavior.

• Fr. Phillip Abinante
• Fr. Orlando Alberto Battagliola
• Fr. Stuart Bede Campbell
• Br. Marcos Capistran Chavira
• Fr. Thomas Condon
• Fr. Antonio Cortes
• Fr. Edward Crews
• Fr. Patrick Daly
• Br. Ronald Gordon Drum
• Seminarian Juan Carlos Esquivel
• Fr. Carl Faria
• Seminarian Luis Garcia
• Fr. Henry Hall
• Fr. Edward T. Haskins
• Seminarian Manuel Jimenez
• Fr. Gregory Kareta
• Fr. Scott McCarthy
• Fr. Albert Mengon
• Fr. Gilbert Roman Meyer
• Fr. Felix Migliazzo
• Fr. Charles Moore
• Fr. Thomas Neary
• Fr. Colman O’Connor
• Fr. John Pierson
• Fr. Joseph Sheehan
• Fr. Rino Spada
• Fr. Joseph Watt
• Br. James Wisecaver

These names represent only those who have been publicly identified. Many survivors of clergy sexual abuse never come forward, and additional allegations may still surface. If you were harmed by clergy connected to the Monterey Diocese, a California clergy abuse lawyer at Injury Lawyer Team can help you understand your legal options through a confidential consultation.

Child Sexual Abuse Settlements Involving the Monterey Diocese

Several clergy abuse cases involving the Diocese of Monterey have led to settlements over the years. These outcomes often followed lawsuits brought by survivors who reported childhood sexual abuse by priests and members of religious orders. The settlements, many of which were reached quietly, are part of the larger pattern of institutional failure within the Catholic Diocese to respond to serious allegations.

Known settlements include:

• Fr. Vincent Dwyer – A Trappist monk accused of sexual misconduct involving a 15-year-old girl beginning in 1969 while she was a student at Santa Catalina School. The abuse allegedly continued for more than a decade. In 1995, the survivor reached a $75,000 settlement with his superiors at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Massachusetts. She later sued the Monterey Diocese and the school in 2003 for failing to prevent abuse.
• Fr. Edward Fitz-Henry – A priest from Ireland who served in the Diocese of Monterey for over 20 years. He was accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy at Madonna del Sasso Parish in 2005–2006, along with an earlier allegation from the early 1990s found credible by the diocesan review board. A civil suit filed in 2011 was settled in 2012 for $500,000. Fitz-Henry later left the priesthood and was laicized.
• Fr. John Velez – A visiting priest from Mexico, accused of sexual abuse of a Salinas altar boy. The Diocese of Monterey learned of the abuse in 1991, expelled Velez, and notified his religious order. The survivor sued in 2003, and the case settled in 2009 for $1.2 million just before trial. Church records later listed Velez as deceased.
• Fr. Michael McDonald – Ordained in Ireland and incardinated into the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno in 1958. A man alleged that McDonald sexually abused him repeatedly between 1964 and 1967 at St. Mary of the Nativity in Salinas, beginning when he was ten years old. In 2004, the Monterey Diocese settled the clergy abuse claim for more than $760,000. McDonald died in 1971.
• Fr. Patrick McHugh – Accused of sexual misconduct involving four altar boys while assigned to St. John’s Parish in Felton during the 1960s. One survivor reported telling his father at the time, but no action followed. In 2006, six plaintiffs reached a combined settlement of $1.5 million, along with lifetime counseling benefits, paid by the Diocese of Monterey. McHugh died in 1979.
• Fr. Joseph Pacheco – A monsignor accused of sexual abuse of a child in the 1960s at parishes in Tulare and Merced. The survivor filed suit in 2003. In 2006, the Diocese of Monterey agreed to a $750,000 settlement. Church officials later acknowledged awareness of additional victims. Pacheco died in 1992.

How Long After the Alleged Abuse Occurred Can Victims Take Legal Action?

California’s Statute of Limitations for Clergy Sexual Abuse

In 2019, California passed Assembly Bill 218, which temporarily revived previously expired cases. The law created a three-year window (from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022) for filing lawsuits, regardless of when the sexual abuse happened. Beyond the revival window, AB 218 also permanently extended the deadline for filing new claims.

The clergy abuse statute of limitations in California allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file a civil lawsuit until they reach age 40, or within five years of recognizing the psychological impact of the abuse, whichever comes later.

This extension acknowledges the reality that many survivors don’t disclose abuse until much later in life. Guilt, trauma, threats, or fear of not being believed often keep people silent for years.

Each situation is unique, and timelines can vary depending on how and when the alleged abuse was discovered. While the revival window has closed, many clergy abuse claims are still valid under the updated statute of limitations. If you’re unsure whether you’re still eligible to file a claim, a Monterey clergy abuse attorney can help review your case.

How a Monterey Clergy Abuse Attorney Can Help

Our legal team provides survivors with trusted legal support and the chance to be heard. If you were sexually abused by a priest, church staff member, or anyone tied to the Roman-Catholic Diocese, you may still have time to pursue a civil lawsuit, even if the abuse occurred decades ago.

A qualified attorney can review your case confidentially, explain your rights under current law, and handle all communication with the Church and its insurers. Legal action isn’t just about compensation; it’s about recognition, accountability, and protecting others. Survivors often find it difficult to speak up, especially when faced with years of silence or dismissal.

That’s where we come in. At Injury Lawyer Team, we believe in your case and are here to support you. If you’re looking for a California clergy abuse lawyer, we offer a free, confidential consultation to help you seek justice.

Book a Free Consultation

If you or someone you love was sexually abused by a member of the clergy in the Diocese of Monterey, you have the right to speak with a lawyer in a safe, confidential setting.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we understand how difficult it can be to take that first step. That’s why we offer a free consultation, with no pressure and no obligation. Our team works on a contingency, meaning you don’t have to worry about legal fees. A qualified sexual abuse lawyer from our team will listen to your story, explain your legal options, and answer any questions you may have about the legal process.

You don’t have to face this alone. We stand with clergy abuse survivors and are committed to holding institutions accountable for the harm they allowed. Reach out today to schedule your confidential consultation.

Central California Dioceses Where We Can Help You File Claims

At Injury Lawyer Team, we represent survivors across California dioceses, including the Diocese of Fresno. If you were sexually abused in a parish, school, or religious program under this diocese, a California clergy abuse lawyer from our team is ready to help you seek justice.

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.