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Diocese of San Jose

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List of Accused Priests in the Diocese of San Jose

No matter what part of the world you’re in, you may find a list of Catholic Priests who have been publicly accused of sexual abuse. There’s no part of the Church that remains untouched by sexual abuse, and in the Diocese of San Jose, many priests make that list of those credibly accused.

Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse

The priests below have all been accused of sexual abuse, but not all of those accusations were investigated. Often survivors weren’t able to come forward until after the statute of limitations had expired on their cases, and that meant the cases were left uninvestigated.

Despite that fact, that priests on this list have all been accused, and where it was possible to do so as we compiled the list from other sources, we included a summary of the allegations against the priest, as well as a list of where he was posted while he worked for the Church.

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San Jose Diocese Priest Sex Abuse

So much shame and frustration surrounds sexual abuse. For survivors, it’s a constant battle trying to decide the right steps to take as you move forward. If you were abused by a priest, either in the Diocese of San Jose or elsewhere, we can help. Learn more when you contact our sexual abuse attorneys today.

Father Thomas Bettencourt

  • Ordained: 1976
  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

First named publicly as accused on the diocese's 10/18/18 list. Allegation reported in 1997 that Bettencourt engaged in sexual misconduct with a child while assigned to St. Justin's in 1982. Bettencourt died 2/25/90.

Father Edward Thomas Burke

  • Ordained: 1956
  • Status: Convicted
  • D/O: Jesuit

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Admitted to Jesuit superior in 2000 that he sexually abused a dependent adult man living/working at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos. Jesuits moved Burke but did not report accusation to police. Charged 5/9/02, pled guilty. Sentenced 6/28/02 to 2 years in prison at age 80. Claims against Burke and Br. Charles Leonard Connor SJ settled 6/4/02 by Jesuits for $7.5M. Died 2/27/09. Included on the Jesuits West Province list 12/7/18. It notes sexual abuse of vulnerable adults 1990-2000.

Brother Charles Leonard Connor

  • Status: Convicted
  • D/O: Jesuit

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Accused 1995 and 1997 of abusing two dependent adult men living/working at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos. Admitted inappropriate touching; restricted but not reported to police. Case reopened 2000; search warrant revealed documents; abuse may have lasted 1970-2000. Connor sent to live at a school. Pled no contest 2001; got no jail time. Settled 9/4/02 for $7.5M. Accused 2002 of abusing Jesuit; complaint deemed unproven. Accusing priest died, an apparent suicide, after Connor was housed at center with him again. Died 7/11/11. On Jesuits West Province list 12/718.

Father L. Joseph Dondero

  • Ordained: 1946
  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: Jesuit

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

First named publicly as accused on diocese's list 10/18/18. Allegation in 2002 that Dondero sexually abused a child in the 1960s, while at St. Joseph's. Dondero died 6/28/97. On the Jesuits West Province list 12/7/18. It ntoes sexual abuse of a minor 1961-65, reported in 2003 and 2005.

Father Raymond V. Dunn

  • Ordained: 1957
  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: Jesuit

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits West Province on its list 12/7/18. It notes an allegation reported of the sexual abuse of a minor in 2002. It is unclear when the report was made. Dismissed 6/15/01. Died 6/3/12.

Brother William C. Farrington

  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: S.J. (Jesuit)

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Removed in 2002 from his administrative job at Loyola Marymount University after allegations he had abused a Jesuit High student in Sacramento, where he worked 1976-87. Removed from Jesuit High in 1987 after two reports of "misconduct." In 2012 a 1968 graduated of Bellarmine Prep in San Jose told the Jesuits that Farrington sexually abused him at the school in the 1960s. Farrington supervised students there living on campus. After a letter went out from the school to alumni, more former students reportedly said they had also been abused. Sent in 2003 to live under supervision at the Sacred Heart Retreat Center in Los Gatos. In 2012 SNAP said four others had come forward. On Jesuits West Province list 12/7/18. It notes abuse 1963-70, 1973-75, 1981-86, reported in 2003 and 2012.

Father Don D. Flickinger

  • Ordained: 1964
  • Status: Settled
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Ordained for Diocese of Fresno. Civil suit filed 8/9/11 accused Flickinger of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy at St. Frances Cabrini in San Jose in 2001. It also claimed abuse in San Francisco and Fresno dioceses over a period of 40 years, and that church authorities were aware. Suit included statements by many other witnesses and alleged victims. A woman also sued. Another lawsuit filed 9/12. All three cases settled 9/13. In 10/18 still a priest of the Fresno diocese. Permanently banned from ministry in 2006, except for participation in funeral masses for other priests. On San Jose diocese's list 10/18/18. It notes allegations reported in 2002, 2005 and 2006. On Santa Rosa diocese's list 1/12/19. Christian Brothers Novitiate chaplain there 1981-83.

Father Robert A. Gray

  • Ordained: 1988
  • Status: Convicted
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Convicted of sexually abusing a teenage boy while teaching him karate in 1993. Charges regarding two other boys were dismissed. Sent to jail for 160 days and given 5 years probation. Received psychiatric treatment before being returned to job in the Diocese in 1995. Removed as head of cemeteries department and placed on permanent leave in June 2002. On diocese's list 10/18/18. It notes allegations of sexual misconduct with children while at St. Justin's 1991-93.

Father Arthur Harrison

  • Ordained: 1956
  • Status: Settled
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Charged in 2003 in a Marin County for sex abuse of 10-year-old girl in 1961 at Our Lady of Loretto parish. Case dismissed 7/03 after ruling by US Supreme Court. Accused in 1988 of molesting two San Jose girls, and having affair with their mother. Not charged. Retired in 1992. Two claims settled in 6/05 as part of $21.2 mil settlement with SF Archdiocese involving 5 priests. Died 11/06. On San Jose diocese's list 10/18/18.

Father Laurent Largente

  • Ordained: 1959
  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

First named publicly as accused on diocese's list 10/18/18. It notes report received in 1994 that Largente engaged in sexual misconduct with a child while assigned to St. Patrick's Cathedral 1980-83. Removed from ministry 1994. Permanently banned from ministry 2002. Died 4/13/15.

Father Alexander C. Larkin

  • Ordained: 1967
  • Status: Sued
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Placed on leave in 12/004 after allegations that he had abused two youths between 1975 and 1980 at Our Lady of the Rosary in Palo Alto. Another individual said he was abused at St. William church in 1981. At least 1 civil suit filed 12/03. Suit had settled by 4/06. Larkin remained on leave as of the same date. No criminal charges filed. On diocese's list 10/18/19. It notes that he was put on restricted ministry in 2005 and Permanently banned from ministry in 2009.

Father Angel Crisostomo Mariano

  • Ordained: 1992
  • Status: Convicted
  • D/O: Jesuit

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Mariano was a cross-dresser who was convicted of child molestation in 1998 for performing oral sex on a teenage boy while posing as a 25-year-old woman. Served 5 months in jail. Jesuit leaders had reprimanded Mariano for sexual misconduct at least 5 years prior to the 1998 incident. Jesuits had apparently been moving him around since 1988. After release from prison he moved to a Jesuit community at Los Gatos where other priests abused two mentally disabled residents. Permanently banned from ministry 1998. On diocese of San Jose list 10/18/18. Noted to have been dismissed from the Jesuits 11/25/02. On Jesuits West Province list 12/7/18.

Brother John Rodrigues Moniz

  • Status: Convicted
  • D/O: Jesuit

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Convicted in 1995 of lewd conduct with a young girl and sentenced to three years probation. Probation ended in 1998. Also ordered to pay victim's uninsured medical expenses and psychological treatment. At the time of the abuse Moniz was living at Sacred Heart Retirement Center in Los Gatos, CA. Other priests convicted of abuse also lived there. Later moved to Vianney Renewal Center in Dittmer, MO. Died 4/7/08. On the Jesuits West Province list 12/7/18. It notes sexual abuse of a minor in 1991, reported in 1995.

Father George Moss

  • Ordained: < 1943
  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

First named publicly as accused on San Jose diocese's list 10/18/18. Accused of sexual misconduct with children while assigned to St. Joseph's in Mountain View 1963-76. (The parish was part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, prior to the establishment in 1981 of the Diocese of San Jose.) Reports to the diocese 2002, 2004 and 2012. Moss retired in 1976 and died in 1986.

Father Leonel C. Noia

  • Ordained: 1973
  • Status: Convicted
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Per 5/02 article, two boys testified in 1976 that Noia showed them pornography, and rubbed their genitals during a camping trip. Boys told a family camping nearby, and police were called. Noia pled no contest to one felony charge; sentenced to jail for six months, five years probation and psych treatment. Returned to duty in 1978. Permanently banned from ministry 6/02. Two new allegations in 7/02, followed by civil suit filed 3/03. Both claims included in 6/05 $21.2M settlement with SF Archdiocese involving five priests. Died 6/3/05. Included on diocese's list 10/18/18.

Father Joseph T. Pritchard

  • Ordained: 1948
  • Status: Settled
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Accused of abuse by at least 19 children, including his nephew. Dates of abuse ranged from 1956 to late 1970s. During 2002-2003, 23 suits were filed. Several settlements, including 10 claims in 6/05 $21.2M settlement with SF Archdiocese and another 12 claims in 7/05 $16M settlement. Died 10/17/88. On diocese's list 10/18/18.

Father Noel Senevirante

  • Ordained: < 1970
  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

First named publicly as accused on the San Jose diocese's list 10/18/18. From the Diocese of Trincornalee-Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. San Jose received a report in 2002 that Senivirante sexually abused a child whil at St. Leo the Great School 1971-72. Permanently banned from ministry in 2002. He died 6/16/09.

Father Edward M. Stretch

  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: Jesuit

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits West Province on its list 12/7/18. It notes an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, reported in 2012. No location noted; year of the alleged abuse "TBD." Worked in San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Clara, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. U.S. Army Chaplain 1942-46. At Bellarmine Prep. in San Jose 1940-42 and 1954-70. Died 5/13/70.

Father Phil Sunseri

  • Ordained: < 1986
  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: Jesuit

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

First named publicly as accused on the San Jose diocese's list 10/18/18. Diocese received reports in 1987 and 2018 that Sunseri sexually abused children at St. Christopher's in 1986 and while assigned to Holy Family in 1987. Permanently banned from ministry 1988. He denied the allegations. On the Jesuits West Province list 12/7/18. It notes an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor in 1986, reported in 2018. Dismissed from the order in 1988.

Father Hernan Toro

  • Ordained: 1956
  • Status: Convicted
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

First named publicly as accused on the San Jose diocese's list 10/18/18 list. Noted to be from the Archdiocese of Popayan, Colombia. Sexually abused a child while assigned to Our Lady Star of the Sea in Alviso in 1983. Convicted. Registered sex offender. Kept in parish ministry. Banned in 1990. Missing in the diocese's 10/18 report was the fact that Toro was currently in jail, since 10/17, accused of molesting two girls - one age between age 4 and 6 in 2011, the other age 11 in 2016. Suit filed 2/19.

Father Benedict Van der Putten

  • Ordained: 1992
  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: Society of St. Pius X

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Member of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, which is not recognized by Roman Catholic Church nor overseen by the San Jose diocese. Retreat master at St. Aloysius Retreat House in Los Gatos 1995- 2000. Accused of molesting a teen girl there in 2000, and attempting to molest another. Sent by Society to its Switzerland headquarters. Worked briefly in the Diocese of Scranton in 2001, applied to be a priest of the diocese; denied after Vatican alerted the diocese to the Los Gatos allegations. Sent to Southdown Institute in Canada for treatment; admitted to molesting a teen girl in 2001 in Europe. Laicization announced 8/05. Last known to be living in Hawaii. On Scranton diocese's list 8/19/18.

DISCLAIMER: The individuals on this list have allegations of sexual abuse against them. Under U.S. law, an allegation, however, does not define guilt. Instead, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven guilty during legal proceedings, whether criminal or civil. These list entries do not imply the individual on the list is criminally guilty or legally liable for civil claims of damage caused by sexual abuse. Instead, it represents those who have been publicly accused of abuse.

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