Diocese of Santa Rosa Sexual Abuse Allegations

The Diocese of Santa Rosa sexual abuse allegations have brought to light a long history of harm involving clergy, church officials, and institutions that were trusted with the care of children and youth.

These cases involve deeply personal trauma, often hidden for years out of fear, shame, or pressure from the Catholic Church. If you or someone you love experienced sexual abuse connected to the Santa Rosa diocese, you don’t have to carry that burden alone.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we are here to support you with compassion and respect, helping you take meaningful steps toward justice. You have a voice, and it deserves to be heard.

Who Are the Priests Accused of Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Santa Rosa?

Records on Credibly Accused Priests in Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino Counties

Reports compiled by Bishop Accountability, along with powerful survivor testimony, continue to shed light on the widespread harm caused by clergy abuse. Many of the California priests accused of child abuse have direct ties to the Santa Rosa diocese, with accusations involving both minors and adults.

These claims stretch back decades and often point to repeated failures by church officials to remove accused priests from ministry or report misconduct. As more victims come forward, a clearer picture is emerging of how deep the abuse ran across communities in Northern California.

• Fr. Anthony Bolger
• Fr. James Corley
• Fr. John Crews
• Fr. Patrick Hannon
• Fr. Michael Emmet Kelly
• Fr. John Meenan
• Fr. Francis Neville
• Fr. Vincent O’Neill
• Fr. Xavier Pallathuparambil
• Fr. John Rogers
• Fr. Wilfred Sheehy
• Fr. Alfredo Sobalvarro
• Fr. Jerome Stack
• Fr. Gary Timmons
• Fr. James Walsh
• Fr. Bernard Ward
• Fr. Ron Wiecek

These cases reflect only a fraction of the harm connected to clergy abuse. Many victims of sexual abuse never report what happened, often because of fear, shame, or pressure from the church.

Childhood Sexual Abuse Settlements Involving the Santa Rosa Diocese

Accusations related to the Diocese of Santa Rosa have led to numerous lawsuits, settlements, and public disclosures over the past two decades. These cases reflect a pattern of abuse and institutional failure that spans decades across multiple counties.

• Fr. Patrick Gleeson – Gleeson served in the Santa Rosa diocese from its creation in 1962 until his retirement in 1989. A lawsuit filed in 2002 accused him of abuse between 1968 and 1972 while he was a pastor in Calistoga. Two cases were settled in 2005 as part of a $7.3 million agreement involving eight victims. He was named on the diocese’s list of accused clergy in 2019, and additional lawsuits were filed later that year under the California Child Victims Act by men who said they were abused as altar boys.
• Fr. Donald Wren Kimball – Kimball was placed on leave in 1990 following alleged abuse involving both boys and girls. He was convicted in 2002 of child molestation and sentenced to prison, though the conviction was later overturned. Multiple lawsuits were settled, including a $1.6 million case in 2000. He was laicized in 2002 and later listed by the Diocese of Santa Rosa as a priest with credible accusations. New lawsuits were filed in 2019 involving abuse of minors.
• Fr. Patrick Joseph McCabe – Originally from Dublin, McCabe arrived in California in 1983 and served in Santa Rosa before being removed due to complaints about inappropriate behavior with children. Laicized in 1988, he was later arrested and convicted in Ireland for abusing boys over several years. U.S. lawsuits filed in 2010 led to settlements in 2012. He is linked to more than 20 complaints and appears on the diocese’s list of accused clergy.
• Fr. Francisco Xavier Ochoa – Ochoa admitted in 2006 to sexual misconduct involving a boy and was placed on leave. Further accusations involved rape and molestation of children in both California and Mexico, including former altar boys and girls. The diocese settled with 10 alleged victims for over $5 million in 2007. Criminal charges were filed, but Ochoa fled to Mexico and never returned to face trial. He was laicized in 2009 and later found dead. Additional claims have since been filed, including lawsuits tied to the Hanna Boys Center.
• Fr. Ted Oswald – Ordained in 1984, Oswald was accused in a 2008 lawsuit of abusing a teenage boy over several years. He denied the accusations but was permanently removed from ministry. Settlements exceeded $4 million across multiple cases. Oswald, who had previously reported abuse by another priest, died in 2010. He remains listed by both the Diocese of Santa Rosa and the Diocese of Tucson, with further lawsuits filed between 2019 and 2022.
• Fr. Thomas Parker – Parker admitted in 2007 that he had sexually abused a boy at a Napa parish in the late 1980s. The victim reached a $215,000 settlement with the diocese in 2008. Parker was laicized the same year and included on the Diocese of Santa Rosa’s public list of accused clergy.

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

California’s Assembly Bill Pertaining to Sexual Abuse Claims Involving the Catholic Church

Assembly Bill 218, which took effect on January 1, 2020, created a temporary three-year window that allowed survivors to file civil suits for child sexual abuse, even if their claims had previously expired.

This window, which closed on December 31, 2022, led to a wave of lawsuits against the Diocese of Santa Rosa, with cases involving accused priests, diocesan schools, and institutions like the Hanna Boys Center. Victims came forward with reports dating back decades, exposing long-standing abuse by members of the clergy and failures by church officials to act.

Although the revival window has closed, many survivors still have valid claims under this law. The clergy abuse statute of limitations allows a civil suit to be filed until the age of 40, or within five years of discovering that the abuse caused lasting emotional or psychological harm, whichever is later.

How a Santa Rosa Clergy Abuse Attorney Can Help

A California clergy sexual abuse attorney can provide essential support to those harmed by the Diocese of Santa Rosa. These cases often involve complex legal and emotional issues, especially when the abuse happened years or even decades ago.

Our legal team is prepared to conduct a thorough investigation into your case, review available evidence, and determine whether you still have the right to sue under California law. We help identify the abuser, any negligent church officials, and other parties who may share legal responsibility for the harm caused.

Legal action isn’t just about compensation; it’s about being heard, holding the church accountable, and helping prevent future abuse. You don’t have to go through it alone. Our attorneys are ready to stand with you and help you seek justice.

Book a Free Consultation

If you’re considering legal action, speaking with a sex abuse attorney can help you understand your rights. We offer free, confidential consultations to victims who are ready to explore their legal options.

During your consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with an experienced attorney who understands the sensitive nature of these cases. There’s no pressure to move forward unless you’re ready.

Whether the abuse happened recently or decades ago, your experience matters, and you deserve answers. Contact us for a free consultation. We’re here to listen, support you, and help you move forward on your terms.

The Archdiocese of San Francisco and Other Dioceses in Northern California Where We Can Help You File Claims

• Archdiocese of San Francisco
• Diocese of Oakland
• Diocese of San Jose
• Diocese of Stockton
• Diocese of Sacramento

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.