Diocese of Sacramento Sexual Abuse Allegations

The Diocese of Sacramento sexual abuse allegations have devastated families across Northern California.

For many, the Church was a trusted foundation; a place of prayer, guidance, and safety. But a growing number of survivors have come forward to share painful stories of sexual abuse by clergy who used their position of power to exploit young people. In far too many cases, these reports were ignored, covered up, or left unaddressed by Church leadership.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we represent survivors of clergy sexual abuse who are ready to hold institutions accountable. Whether the alleged incident happened decades ago or more recently, survivors have legal options. Through civil lawsuits, we help victims seek compensation and push for change within the structures that allowed abuse to continue.

If you or someone close to you was abused by a priest, deacon, or anyone affiliated with the Diocese of Sacramento, our sexual abuse attorneys are here to help you seek justice.

Who Are the Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Sacramento?

Records on Credibly Accused Priests, Permanent Deacons, and Other Clergy of the Catholic Church and Other Religious Orders

Reports and public records gathered by Bishop Accountability have identified California priests accused of sex abuse connected to the Diocese of Sacramento. These clergy members were publicly named after allegations surfaced involving abuse of children, teens, and vulnerable parishioners.

• Fr. Thomas G. Allender
• Deacon Alejandro Arroyo
• Fr. Gerardo Beltran Rico
• Fr. Edward Boyle
• Fr. James Casey
• Fr. Robert Casper
• Fr. Andrew Coffey
• Fr. Malachy Conway
• Fr. Hector Coria Gonzales
• Fr. Pablo Cortes
• Fr. John Crowley
• Fr. Rodolfo Delgado
• Fr. Thomas Dermody
• Fr. John W. Dowling
• Fr. Arthur A. Falvey
• Fr. William Feeser
• Fr. Oscar Figueroa
• Fr. James Patrick Foley
• Fr. Francisco Javier Garcia Ortiz
• Fr. Sidney P. Hall
• Fr. John Hannan
• Fr. David Hernandez Cota
• Fr. Francisco Hernandez-Tovar
• Fr. Joseph Nguyen Hoan
• Fr. William B. Hold
• Fr. Roberto L. Jaramillo
• Seminarian Gunter Klingenbrunner
• Fr. Mark Kristy
• Fr. Louis Michael O’Halloran
• Fr. Michael Lynch
• Deacon Jesus Magallanes
• Fr. Robert Marsicek
• Fr. James Finbarr Mennis
• Fr. Vito Mistretta
• Fr. James Thomas Monaghan
• Fr. Jorge Moreno
• Fr. Cornelius F. O’Connor
• Fr. Uriel Ojeda
• Br. Charles A. Onorato
• Fr. Vernon Petrich
• Fr. Jose Antonio Pinal
• Fr. Mario Porras Blanco
• Fr. Michael Proulx
• Fr. Simon Twomey
• Fr. Jose Luis Urbina
• Fr. Murrough Wallace
• Fr. John Watts

These names reflect only the clergy who have been publicly identified so far. Many survivors of clergy sexual abuse connected to the Diocese of Sacramento have never come forward, and more allegations may still emerge.

Childhood Sexual Abuse Settlements Involving the Sacramento Diocese

Several clergy sexual abuse cases involving the Diocese of Sacramento have resulted in settlements, as a result of lawsuits brought by survivors who endured sexual abuse as children or teens, only to be ignored or dismissed by church leaders. Some settlements were kept quiet for years, while others surfaced publicly as more victims came forward and documents were released.

• Father Vincent Brady – Ordained for the Diocese of Sacramento, Brady faced multiple accusations of sexual abuse involving girls during the 1970s. The first claim surfaced in the late 1990s, leading to a lawsuit that settled for approximately $350,000. Despite this, Brady was reassigned after being sent for therapy. Additional victims later came forward with similar allegations from the same period, resulting in further lawsuits and settlements finalized in the early 2000s. Church records later confirmed that reports of abuse were considered credible, and his faculties were withdrawn before his retirement.
• Father Michael Dermody – Originally from Ireland, Dermody was accused of sexual misconduct involving women he counseled while serving in Sacramento. Three of the women won a $1.4 million judgment in 1992, and a fourth woman was awarded $3 million, though the Diocese was not held financially responsible in those cases. Subsequent legal efforts to access Church insurance funds were dismissed. Later disclosures identified Dermody as credibly accused, with reports indicating abuse of a young adult. His faculties were withdrawn before his death.
• Father Jerome M. Henson – A member of the Dominican Order, Henson was linked to alleged abuse involving boys under the age of fourteen in Sacramento during the late 1970s and early 1980s. After an early incident involving a minor, Henson was transferred between dioceses. Years later, multiple lawsuits were filed, and his claims became part of a $35 million settlement reached in 2005, which compensated 33 victims of clergy sexual abuse. Church records eventually documented numerous reports of abuse, and Henson was placed under a life of prayer and penance.

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

California’s Assembly Bill Pertaining to Claims Involving Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Many survivors wonder how long after the abuse they have to take legal action. California law gives childhood sexual abuse survivors extended rights to file civil claims, even if the abuse happened decades ago.

Under Assembly Bill 218, passed in 2019, California opened a special three-year window from January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2022. During this period, survivors could file lawsuits regardless of how long ago the abuse took place. This revival window has now closed, but many claims remain valid under the extended clergy abuse statute of limitations.

Survivors can file civil claims until age 40, or within five years of discovering the impact of the abuse, whichever comes later. This change reflects what many mental health professionals have long known: it can take years, even decades, for victims to fully process what happened and feel ready to speak out.

Every case is different. If you’re unsure whether you’re still eligible under current law, our team of California clergy abuse attorneys can review your claim and explain what legal options are available to you.

How a Sacramento Clergy Abuse Attorney Can Help

If you were sexually abused by a priest or other Church figure within the Diocese of Sacramento, you deserve support from an experienced attorney who understands the unique challenges these cases present.

Abuse within religious institutions is often covered in silence, sometimes backed by decades of institutional protection. At Injury Lawyer Team, we offer confidential consultations to help survivors understand the process without pressure or obligation.

Our California clergy sexual abuse attorneys can guide you through each step of the legal process with care and discretion. We review the details of your claim to understand when and where the abuse happened and whether the clergy member involved has already been credibly accused or involved in a prior investigation.

Our team will also determine if your case falls within California’s current statute of limitations for clergy abuse claims. We handle all communication with the Diocese and its insurance providers, allowing you to focus on your well-being. If appropriate, we will help you file a civil lawsuit seeking compensation for the emotional distress, psychological trauma, and long-term impact of the abuse.

We’ve worked with survivors from various dioceses and religious orders across California. Our team is committed to seeking compensation that reflects the true cost of the abuse, and we never charge upfront fees. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.

Book a Free Consultation

If you or someone close to you was sexually abused in connection with the Diocese of Sacramento— whether by a priest, deacon, or someone in religious ministry—our sexual abuse attorneys are ready to help you seek justice. Even if the abuse occurred in the distant past, or if the accused clergy served in another parish or diocese, you may still have a valid claim.

Every survivor deserves the chance to speak with an attorney who will listen, explain the legal process in plain terms, and answer questions without pressure. Your consultation is completely confidential. If you’re ready to speak with a Sacramento sexual abuse attorney, we are here to stand with you. Reach out today to schedule your free consultation.

Other Dioceses in Northern California Where We Can Help You File Claims

At Injury Lawyer Team, we represent survivors of clergy sexual abuse across California dioceses, including:

• Archdiocese of San Francisco
• Diocese of Oakland
• Diocese of San Jose
• Diocese of Santa Rosa
• Diocese of Stockton

If you were abused in one of these dioceses (whether recently or in the past), a California clergy sexual abuse attorney from our team can help you understand your legal options.

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.