Diocese of Orange Sexual Abuse Allegations

The Diocese of Orange sexual abuse allegations have left deep scars across Orange County, especially for those who trusted the Catholic Church to protect them.

Many survivors (some of whom were children attending diocesan schools or altar servers in local parishes) have come forward to report being sexually abused by priests, religious brothers, or other members of the clergy. These experiences are often carried in silence for years, sometimes decades.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we are here to help victims find a path forward through the civil legal system. We believe in your right to be heard, and we’re committed to holding institutions accountable.

Who Are the Credibly Accused Priests in the Diocese of Orange?

Bishop Accountability Records on Former Members and Clergy Removed From Ministry

Reports compiled by Bishop Accountability and survivor testimony continue to expose the harm caused by clergy within the Diocese of Orange. Many of the California priests accused of sexual abuse have ties to the diocese, with allegations spanning decades and involving both children and adults.

• Fr. Lawrence Baird
• Fr. Richard Delahunty
• Fr. Sinon Falvey
• Fr. Kevin Fitzpatrick
• Fr. Robert Foley
• Fr. Bertrand Horvath
• Fr. Edgardo Arrunataegui Jimenez
• Fr. Alexander Manville
• Fr. Thomas Joseph Mohan
• Fr. Dominic Nguyen
• Fr. Gordon John Pillon
• Fr. Edward Poettgen
• Fr. Timothy Ramaekers
• Fr. Luis Eduardo Ramirez
• Deacon Cesar Salazar
• Fr. John Sheahan
• Fr. Gerardo Jarencio Tanilong

These represent only a portion of the abuse reported. Many victims of sexual abuse choose not to come forward right away, or ever. Others’ claims may not have gone through internal investigations by church bodies like the oversight review board, especially if they involved former members or clergy already placed on voluntary permanent leave.

Catholic Church Abuse Settlements Involving the Orange Diocese

Over the years, the Diocese of Orange has paid millions of dollars in settlements to victims of sexual abuse, most involving priests accused of harming children and adolescents under their spiritual and educational care.

• Fr. Andrew Christian Andersen – Convicted in 1986 of molesting four boys, Andersen received probation and continued abusing while in treatment. He was later arrested in New Mexico and sentenced to prison. Laicized in the mid-1990s, he was linked to $4.62 million in settlements.
• Fr. Sofronio Aranda – Known as “Pon” Aranda, he was accused of sexual abuse of minors during his time serving in California. The Diocese of Orange listed him in 2004 among six priests with allegations deemed credible. A 2005 financial settlement of $1.55 million was reached in connection with his alleged abuse. Aranda died in 1996.
• Br. Gregory Atherton – Accused in lawsuits of abusing at least five boys from 1967 to 1986, including students at Servite High School in Anaheim. Despite serious allegations, Atherton was not initially included in the Diocese’s public list of accused priests. In 2005, the Diocese of Orange paid $4,169,325 to settle claims linked to Atherton’s abuse. He reportedly admitted to the abuse and remained under supervision until his death, later confirmed by the Los Angeles Archdiocese.
• Fr. Franklin Buckman – Facing allegations of abuse dating back to 1962, Buckman resigned from parish duties in Orange County in 1984, originally described as administrative burnout, later revealed to be due to a sexual abuse claim. In 2005, the Diocese of Orange settled claims for $1,959,700.
• Fr. Santino Anthony Casimano – Accused in 2004 of abusing two brothers during his time in Orange County, Casimano had transferred from the Diocese of Gallup and also served as a Navy chaplain. A 2005 settlement awarded the brothers $4.2 million. He died later that year.
• Fr. Michael Harris – Harris, former principal of Mater Dei High School, resigned in 1994 after he was accused of sexually assaulting multiple students. Settlements tied to Harris include $5.2 million in 2001, $2 million in 2012, and a $3.5 million settlement in 2024 involving a former Mater Dei student who was sexually abused in 1978. Harris was laicized in 2001.
• Fr. John (Gregory) Knoernschild – Accused of abusing a student at Crespi Carmelite High School in 1977–1978, Knoernschild had assignments before and after the creation of the Diocese of Orange. He left the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and returned before exiting ministry again in 2001. One of the claims against him was part of a $10 million global settlement in 2006. Knoernschild’s personnel files were later released, and he was listed among abusive priests by multiple dioceses.
• Fr. John Peter Lenihan – In 1991, Lenihan admitted to sexual misconduct with a teenage girl in the 1970s. Although the Diocese of Orange paid $25,000 to settle the matter, he was allowed to continue working until more allegations surfaced. In 2001, another woman accused him of years of abuse, including a pregnancy and forced abortion. That civil suit settled for $1.2 million. Criminal charges were dropped due to the statute of limitations. The ministry removed Lehinah, and he was later laicized.
• Fr. John Lord – One of six clergy members named by the Diocese in 2003 following claims of sex abuse. Lord died of AIDS in 1989, years before the allegations became public. A lawsuit filed in 2003 led to a 2005 settlement of $3,739,842. At the time of his death, Lord had served for six years at St. Columban Parish in Garden Grove.
• Fr. John Edward Ruhl – Ordained for the Vincentians and later incardinated into the Diocese of Orange, Ruhl was accused of child sexual abuse involving at least three minors between 1970 and 1982. The Diocese reportedly became aware of allegations in 1992 but allowed him to remain in ministry. A $500,000 settlement was reached in 2005. He continued to serve under restrictions until his death in 2018.

How Long After the Alleged Abuse Occurred Can Victims File Civil Suits?

California’s Statute of Limitations for Clergy Sexual Abuse

Assembly Bill 218, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, temporarily revived previously expired claims. This three-year window, which closed on December 31, 2022, allowed survivors of child sexual abuse to file lawsuits regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. That period led to a surge in claims involving former priests and religious brothers who served across Orange County.

Even though that revival window has ended, many claims are still legally valid. Under the current clergy sexual abuse statute of limitations, survivors of childhood sex abuse can file a civil suit until they reach the age of 40, or within five years of discovering that their psychological injuries were linked to the abuse, whichever is later.

How an Orange Clergy Abuse Attorney Can Help

Victims of clergy abuse often carry their experiences for years without knowing where to turn. Our experienced California clergy abuse lawyers can help guide you through the civil legal process with care and clarity. These cases often involve sensitive histories, sealed records, and Church defenses that can make it difficult to move forward alone.

Working with a legal team familiar with clergy abuse allegations ensures that your case is handled with the seriousness it deserves. Your attorney can help identify responsible parties, gather supporting records, and file a civil suit seeking compensation for the harm you’ve endured.

Book a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has experienced abuse connected to the Diocese of Orange, you deserve to be heard. Speaking with our experienced sexual abuse lawyers can help you understand your rights and whether you may still be eligible to file a civil suit.

At Injury Lawyer Team, consultations are free and completely confidential. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. Every survivor’s story matters. If you’re ready to talk, we’re here to help you seek justice.

Southern California Dioceses Where We Can Help You File Claims

• Archdiocese of Los Angeles
• Diocese of San Bernardino
• Diocese of San Diego

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.