Diocese of San Bernardino Sexual Abuse Allegations

The Diocese of San Bernardino sexual abuse allegations have caused lasting pain for survivors and families throughout the region.

Many individuals who were sexually abused as children by clergy members within the Catholic Church stayed silent for years; some were dismissed by officials, others were too afraid or ashamed to speak out. Today, survivors are finding their voice, backed by new laws and a growing public awareness of how deeply child sexual abuse can affect a person’s life.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we represent survivors who were harmed by the very institutions that should have protected them. If you or someone close to you experienced sexual abuse involving the San Bernardino Diocese, legal action may still be possible, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. We offer a confidential case evaluation to help you understand your legal options and protect your rights.

Who Are the Credibly Accused Priests in the Diocese of San Bernardino?

Records on Credible Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse

Reports compiled by Bishop Accountability and other public sources have identified several clergy members tied to the Diocese of San Bernardino who have been accused of child sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, or other criminal behavior involving minors.

Below are the California priests accused of child sexual abuse connected to the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino:

• Fr. Roberto Barco
• Fr. Joseph Bell
• Fr. Gustavo Benson
• Fr. Michael Bucaro
• Fr. Owen da Silva
• Fr. Daniel De Dominicis
• Fr. Jesus Dominguez
• Fr. Robert Donat
• Br. Kevin Dunne
• Fr. Clifton Raymond Etienne
• Fr. Joseph Fertal
• Fr. Rodrigo Marciel Garcia
• Fr. Anthony Martinez Garduno
• Fr. Rudi Gil
• Fr. J. Ernest Hayes
• Fr. Joseph Jablonski
• Seminarian Dennis Raymond Jost
• Fr. Timothy F. Keppel
• Fr. Robert Kurilec
• Fr. Peter H. Luque
• Fr. Peter McCormick
• Fr. Howard Melzer
• Fr. Paul Nguyen
• Fr. Joseph R. Nunez
• Fr. Louis G. Perreault
• Fr. Esteban Trujillo
• Fr. Bernard Waltos

Several survivors filed lawsuits after learning that their abusers were moved to other parishes or allowed to continue in the priesthood with no warning to the communities they served. Some lawsuits uncovered internal records that showed a pattern of concealment, where church officials were aware of abuse but failed to report it to child protective services or law enforcement.

Settlements Involving Priests Accused of Abuse in San Bernardino Diocese

Over the years, numerous clergy abuse cases tied to the Diocese of San Bernardino have led to legal settlements. Many of these involved survivors who came forward decades after they were sexually abused as children by priests, brothers, or other clergy. These cases reflect a broader failure by the Catholic Church to act on known allegations and protect children from further harm.

Examples of notable clergy abuse settlements involving the San Bernardino Diocese include:

• Fr. Saul Ayala – A priest originally from the Archdiocese of Morelia, Mexico, Ayala became incardinated into the Diocese of San Bernardino in the 1980s. In 2002, two sisters alleged Ayala had abused them as children, ages 7 and 9, while he babysat them in the late 1980s. Their mother had reported the abuse to the church years earlier, but no action was taken. The diocese settled with the sisters in 2004 for $30,000. Ayala returned to Mexico after being placed on leave and was later listed on San Bernardino’s list of accused priests, permanently barred from ministry.
• Fr. Edward Ball – One of the most notorious priests accused in the San Bernardino Diocese, Ball was first criminally charged in 1992. He later pleaded guilty to abusing minors and served time in jail. In 1999, he was again charged, this time with 31 counts involving two teenage boys. He was sentenced to prison and placed on the Sex Offender Registry. In 2003, the diocese and its religious order paid a $4.2 million settlement to multiple victims. Ball remained a registered sex offender until his death in 2016. His name appears on the San Bernardino Diocese’s released list of priests with credible accusations of abuse.
• Fr. Alejandro Jose Castillo – Transferred from Mexico City to the San Bernardino Diocese in 1988, “Alex” Castillo was removed from ministry in 2010 after allegations surfaced that he had abused two brothers in recent years. A review board found the claims credible. He was later arrested and pleaded guilty to committing a lewd act with a minor. He served jail time and was ordered to register as a sex offender. In 2014, the Diocese of San Bernardino agreed to a $3.8 million settlement with two of the victims. Castillo’s name appears on both diocesan and religious order lists of credibly accused clergy.
• Fr. Peter Covas – Ordained for the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Covas became part of the San Bernardino Diocese in the early 1980s. He resigned from a diocesan leadership role after financial misconduct and later faced multiple accusations of sexual misconduct with minors. He was removed from ministry in 2002 following an internal file review. Civil suits were filed in 2003, though he died the following year. Covas was later included on both San Diego and San Bernardino’s list of priests with credible accusations.
• Fr. Maximiliano Gomez Macouzet – A Monsignor originally ordained for the San Diego Diocese, Macouzet served in the San Bernardino area before returning to Mexico in the late 1960s. A civil judgment in 1968 awarded $35,000 to a 17-year-old boy who alleged sexual abuse by Macouzet in 1962. He was included on the San Diego Diocese’s list of priests with credible accusations of abuse, and his personnel file was made public in 2010.

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

California’s Statute of Limitations for Clergy Sexual Abuse

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse often wait years before speaking out, some due to fear, others because they thought they wouldn’t be believed, or that it was too late to act. In recognition of this, California passed Assembly Bill 218, which temporarily revived expired claims, giving a three-year window from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022, allowing survivors to file civil suits.

Beyond the revival window, AB 218 also permanently extended the deadline for filing new claims. The Catholic Church sexual abuse statute of limitations allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file a lawsuit up until age 40, or within five years of discovering the emotional and psychological harm caused by the abuse, whichever is later.

If you’re unsure whether you still have a valid claim, our legal team can help review your case.

How a San Bernardino Clergy Abuse Attorney Can Help

At Injury Lawyer Team, we support survivors as they take a stand against the Diocese of San Bernardino and other responsible institutions. If you were sexually abused by a priest or anyone associated with the Roman Catholic Diocese, we’re here to help you pursue justice, even if the abuse happened many years ago.

Survivors often feel overwhelmed or unsure about how to move forward, especially if past reports were ignored or dismissed. Some are still dealing with the effects of childhood sexual abuse, including emotional trauma, lost opportunities, and strained relationships.

Others may only now be discovering new evidence, such as being named in previously sealed records, or learning that a priest who abused them was later added to San Bernardino’s list of credibly accused priests.

Our qualified California clergy abuse attorneys can assist with:

• Reviewing your case in a confidential case evaluation
• Explaining how California’s statute of limitations applies to your situation
• Investigating diocesan records, parish assignments, and prior allegations
• Filing your claim and dealing directly with church officials, insurance carriers, and defense attorneys
• Seeking financial compensation for the harm you endured

Legal action is one way to hold the Diocese of San Bernardino, and others who enabled abuse, accountable. While criminal cases are often limited by stricter time limits, civil lawsuits offer survivors another path, one that focuses on acknowledgment, responsibility, and long-term support.

Book a Free Consultation

If you or someone you care about was sexually abused by a member of the clergy in the Diocese of San Bernardino, you have the right to speak with a lawyer in a safe, private setting. That’s why we offer a confidential case evaluation at no cost to you.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we know how difficult it can be to revisit painful memories, especially when the person responsible was a priest, clergy member, or someone connected to the Catholic Church. 

You won’t be pressured to make decisions before you’re ready. Our sexual abuse attorneys will listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your options under current California law. Reach out today for a free consultation. Let us help you seek justice, accountability, and closure for what you endured.

San Diego Diocese and Other Southern California Dioceses Where We Can Help You File Claims

We represent survivors across California dioceses, including:

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

If you were sexually abused in a parish, school, or religious program under these dioceses, 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.