Diocese of San Diego Sexual Abuse Allegations

The Diocese of San Diego sexual abuse allegations have led to a wave of lawsuits, public outcry, and renewed efforts to hold institutions accountable.

Survivors of abuse within the Roman Catholic Diocese have come forward with painful accounts involving priests, pastors, and members of religious orders who used their authority to exploit and harm. Many of these victims were minors at the time of the abuse, attending parish schools or involved in church youth programs across San Diego.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we know how difficult it can be to speak out, especially when someone in a position of spiritual or moral authority committed the abuse. Our work is grounded in respect, confidentiality, and a deep commitment to helping survivors take back their power.

If you’re thinking about coming forward, you’re not alone. Your story matters. We’re here to listen, guide, and support you through every step, at your pace and on your terms.

Who Are the Accused Priests in the Diocese of San Diego?

Bishop Accountability Records on Credible Allegations of Abuse in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego

Over the past several decades, sexual abuse survivors have exposed systemic abuse by clergy in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego.

Reports of abuse span generations, with many allegations involving priests who served in parishes, schools, and youth ministries across San Diego and other dioceses throughout California. Despite years of silence, lawsuits have brought new attention to long-standing accusations.

Bishop Accountability has documented priests accused of child sexual abuse in California, helping to shed light on what the San Diego Diocese and other church leaders have often tried to keep hidden. The following individuals have been publicly named in credible allegations tied to the Diocese of San Diego:

• Fr. John M. Beatty
• Fr. James T. Booth
• Brother Thomas
• Fr. Robert Buchanan
• Fr. Arthur Carrillo
• Fr. Jose Chavarin
• Fr. James Creaton
• Fr. Edito D. Amora
• Fr. John Joseph Daly
• Fr. Nelson C. Damasco
• Fr. Luis Eugene de Francisco
• Fr. Donald F. Doxie
• Fr. I. Brent Eagen
• Fr. Herman Francis Flynn
• Fr. Theodore Gabrielli
• Fr. Michael French
• Fr. James A. Ganahl
• Fr. Paul Gill
• Fr. Michael K. Higgins
• Fr. Gary Michael Holtey
• Fr. Richard L. Houck
• Fr. Patrick J. Hughes
• Fr. Patrick J. Kearney
• Fr. Robert S. Koerner
• Fr. Adalbert J. Kowalczyk
• Fr. Lawrence Kurlandski
• Fr. George Lally
• Fr. Justin Langille
• Fr. Michael M. MacCourt
• Fr. Michael Victor Marron
• Fr. Peter Joseph Marron
• Fr. Ramon Marrufo
• Fr. Malachy M. McGinn
• Fr. Patrick Carl McNamara
• Fr. Mark A. Medaer
• Fr. Ricardo Mejia
• Fr. Thomas Moloney
• Fr. Paolino/Paul M. Montagna
• Fr. Ephren Cirilio Neri
• Fr. Robert Daniel Nikliborc
• Fr. Michael O’Connor
• Fr. Michael Raymond O’Donohoe
• Fr. Emmanuel O. Omemaga
• Fr. Daniel Polizzi
• Fr. Edward Anthony Rodrigue
• Fr. David Roll
• Fr. Joseph Rossell
• Fr. William R. Savord
• Fr. Edward Augustine Sheehy
• Fr. Gregory Sierra Sheridan
• Sister Bridgette
• Fr. William D. Spain
• Fr. Victor Uboldi
• Fr. William Valverde
• Fr. Barry Vinyard

The names listed reflect years of allegations, lawsuits, internal church findings, and public records.

Many of these priests were reassigned, kept in ministry, or quietly removed without informing parishioners.

Childhood Sexual Abuse Settlements Involving the San Diego Diocese

Years of silence surrounding abuse by clergy in the San Diego Diocese have resulted in a series of public disclosures, lawsuits, and significant settlements. Survivors have come forward with detailed accounts of abuse by priests who were often kept in ministry, reassigned, or quietly retired.

Many of these cases, once buried or ignored, became part of legal actions that forced the diocese of San Diego to confront its handling of credible allegations and longstanding failures to protect children.

The following priests were each named in one or more lawsuits and financial settlements with victims or their families:

• Fr. Rudolph Galindo – Galindo was accused of sexually abusing an altar boy. Though he denied the allegations, the diocese agreed to a $75,000 settlement with the victim’s family in 1985. He was suspended and later reassigned before retiring in 1986. In 2002, Galindo admitted to abusing three youths and was sued by seven individuals. He was permanently removed from public ministry and included on the diocese of San Diego’s list of credibly accused clergy. He died before 2018.
• Fr. John Charles Keith – Ordained as a Jesuit and later incardinated into the San Diego Diocese, Keith was accused of molesting a 12-year-old boy in 1985. The civil suit was settled for $95,000 in 1999. Despite repeated complaints from the boy’s mother, no action was initially taken. Keith retired in 1990 and died in 2003. His name appeared on the diocese’s list of accused priests in 2007. Another lawsuit was filed in 2008 and later settled in 2010.
• Fr. William Armstrong Kraft – Kraft, a monsignor, faced accusations of abusing several boys and at least one girl from the 1950s through the 1970s. The first known settlement occurred in 2001 for $250,000. Additional lawsuits followed in 2003. Kraft had retired in 1991 and died in 2001. His name was publicly listed by the SD diocese in 2007, with all related claims resolved as part of the $198.1 million settlement reached in September 2007.
• Fr. Patrick J. O’Keeffe – O’Keeffe, originally from Ireland, left priesthood in 1994. In 2002, he was criminally charged with abusing a 17-year-old girl, but fled to Ireland. The charges were later dropped due to a statute of limitations ruling. O’Keeffe was accused in civil suits of abusing several girls, some of whom named both the San Diego and San Bernardino dioceses. Claims were resolved in the $198.1 million settlement in 2007. He was laicized and included on the diocese of San Diego’s list of priests with credible accusations.
• Fr. Franz Robier – A former missionary from Austria, Robier was accused of sexually abusing as many as 24 girls in the late 1950s and early 1960s while serving in areas under the diocese of San Diego and later San Bernardino. He died in 1994. His name appeared on the list of credibly accused clergy in 2007. The first lawsuit tied to Robier was halted when the diocese filed for bankruptcy in 2007. His victims were included in the $198.1 million settlement later that year.
• Fr. Matthew J. Thompson – Thompson retired in 1975 and died in 1976. Allegations surfaced in 2002 from a man who said he was abused as an altar boy in the late 1950s or early 1960s. A second accusation also emerged. His name appeared on the diocese’s list of credibly accused priests in 2007. These claims were part of the larger settlement totaling nearly $200 million. In 2009, the City of Corona renamed a street previously dedicated to him at the request of the San Bernardino diocese and victims.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

In June 2024, the Diocese of San Diego filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As reported by NBC San Diego, the diocese stated it could no longer meet the financial demands of defending or settling the wave of cases filed against it.

In a letter to parishioners, Bishop Robert McElroy explained that the bankruptcy was intended to ensure fair compensation for all victims, rather than exhausting church resources in early settlements and leaving others without recourse.

However, critics of the decision argue that Chapter 11 can shield the diocese from complete transparency by keeping internal documents sealed and moving cases out of open court. Survivors may also face strict deadlines for filing claims under the court-managed process, which differs from the standard civil litigation route.

For clergy abuse victims, bankruptcy does not mean the end of the road. It’s still possible to file a claim and seek compensation through the bankruptcy proceedings. Those affected are encouraged to act promptly, as court-imposed deadlines can be firm. The bankruptcy process may offer a structured path toward financial recovery, but victims must know their rights and have legal support during this time.

How Long Do Clergy Abuse Victims Have to Take Legal Action?

California’s Assembly Bill Pertaining to Child Abuse Claims

For many who were abused by clergy in the San Diego Diocese, speaking out was not an immediate option. Survivors often waited years–sometimes decades–before coming forward, held back by fear, confusion, or deep feelings of shame. Others believed they had missed their chance to take legal action because too much time had passed.

In response to these barriers, California passed Assembly Bill 218, a landmark law that gave sexual abuse victims a second chance.

The bill created a three-year window, from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022, allowing individuals to file lawsuits even if the statute of limitations on their claims had previously expired. This revival period led to a surge in allegations not only against the Diocese of San Diego but also in other dioceses throughout the state.

AB 218 didn’t just create a temporary window. It also permanently expanded the statute of limitations for clergy sexual abuse cases.

Under the new law, survivors now have until age 40 to file a civil suit, or within five years of discovering that the abuse caused lasting psychological or emotional harm, whichever comes later. This change has been significant for those who were abused as minors, but only recently began to understand the impact the abuse had on their lives.

For many, AB 218 has been a turning point. Sexual abuse victims who were once told it was “too late” have found new grounds to file claims, pursue compensation, and hold the Roman Catholic Diocese accountable for its role in enabling or concealing abuse.

The San Diego Diocese has faced a new wave of litigation because of this law, prompting it to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early 2023 due to the volume of lawsuits.

If you or someone you know was abused by a priest, assistant pastor, or other church official—even decades ago—you may still have legal options. Changes in the law have opened the door for many to be heard, to be believed, and to take meaningful steps toward recovery and justice.

How a San Diego Clergy Abuse Attorney Can Help

Pursuing a case against the Diocese of San Diego for childhood sexual abuse can be difficult, but you’re not alone in it. Many survivors struggle for years before coming forward. Some were ignored by church officials, others were silenced, or led to believe that nothing could be done.

The impact of that betrayal can last a lifetime. If you were sexually abused by someone connected to the San Diego Diocese or the broader Roman Catholic Diocese, you don’t need to face the church or the legal system alone.

Our California priest abuse law firm can help by:

• Reviewing what happened in a private, confidential consultation
• Explaining how California’s AB 218 and the extended statute rules may apply to your claims
• Reviewing parish assignments, school records, and diocese files to uncover past allegations or patterns of abuse
• Checking whether there are credible allegations already reported, including lawsuits, a prior settlement, or public disclosures
• Preparing and filing a civil suit, then handling communication with church counsel, insurers, and other parties
• Pursuing compensation for the long-term harm, including therapy needs, and the impact on relationships and daily life

You set the pace. We’ll handle the legal burden and help you move forward in a way that feels right for you.

Book a Free Consultation

If you experienced childhood sexual abuse connected to the Diocese of San Diego, you have the right to explore your legal options in a safe, confidential setting. At Injury Lawyer Team, we’re here to listen without pressure or judgment. Our attorneys can explain your rights under California law, including how recent changes may allow you to file a claim, even if the abuse happened decades ago.

There are no upfront costs, and you won’t pay anything unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Contact our sexual abuse law firm today to schedule a free, private consultation.

Orange County, San Bernardino Diocese, and Other Dioceses in Southern California, Where We Can Help You File Claims

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

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.