List of San Angelo-area priests credibly accused with sexually abusing children released (original) (raw)
SAN ANGELO — The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Angelo on Thursday afternoon released a list of priests it says have been "credibly accused" of sexually abusing children.
Similar lists were released by dioceses across Texas after investigators examined clergy who have been accused of sexually abusing minors dating back at least to 1950, according to an October 2018 news release issued by the Diocese.
At about 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, San Angelo's Catholic Diocese issued a release indicating 13 clerics had credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors against them since the 1961 creation of the Diocese of San Angelo.
Of those, four were priests of the Diocese of San Angelo, one was a permanent deacon of the Diocese of San Angelo, and eight were priests from other dioceses or religious orders ministering in the diocese.
Since 1961, a total of 445 priests and 147 permanent deacons have served the diocese, according to a news release.
San Angelo-area priests accused of sexual abuse:
Fr. Leo Bujnowski: Location(s): St. Mary, Brownwood and Sacred Heart, Coleman. Status: Deceased - 1976.
Deacon Hubert Collins: Location(s): St. Ann, Midland. Status: Deceased - 1999.
Fr. David Espitia: Location(s): St. Joseph/St. Anthony, Odessa; St. Lawrence, Garden City; St. Ann, Colorado City. Status: Deceased - 2003
Fr. Miguel Esquivel: Location(s): Sacred Heart Cathedral, San Angelo; St. Joseph, Odessa; St. Anthony, Odessa; St. Margaret, Big Lake; St. Francis, Abilene; Sacred Heart, Abilene; Sts. Joachim & Anna, Clyde; St. Joseph/St. Agnes, Fort Stockton. Status: Removed from ministry in 2002.
Fr. Domingo Estrada, OMI: Location(s): Our Lady of Guadalupe, Midland. Status: Deceased - 9/21/2009
Fr. John Fernz: Location(s): Sacred Heart Cathedral, San Angelo; Sacred Heart, Abilene; Sts. Joachim & Ann, Clyde. Removed from Ministry in DOSA in 1987; Deceased.
Fr. Michael Goode, CPPS: Location(s): St. Mary, San Angelo; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sweetwater; St. Peter, Mertzon; Holy Family, Sweetwater. Status: Removed from Ministry in San Angelo in June 2002.
Fr. David Holley: Location(s): Sacred Heart, McCamey; Holy Family, Abilene; Sacred Heart, Abilene; Sts. Joachim & Ann, Clyde; St. Francis, Abilene; St. Lawrence, Garden City. Status: Removed from Ministry in DOSA 6/1984, Died in prison.
Fr. Richard Kolega, CPPS: Location(s): St. Mary, San Angelo; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sweetwater. Status: Deceased - 4/12/1995.
Fr. Augustine Lucca, SDSv: Location(s): St. Lawrence, Garden City; St. Joseph, San Angelo. Status: Deceased – 8/16/2009
Fr. Galeb Mokarzel, OMI: Location(s): Never assigned in Diocese of San Angelo, offended at St. Ann, Midland. Status: Removed from Ministry by Oblates.
Fr. Al Prado, OMI: Location(s): Our Lady of Guadalupe, Midland. Status: Laicized (officially resigned to secular life), Deceased
Fr. Vince Wiggins: Location(s): Sacred Heart, Menard; St. Theresa, Junction; St. Vincent, Abilene; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ozona; Sacred Heart, Abilene; Sts. Joachim & Ann, Clyde; St. Ann, Baird; St. Mary, Odessa; Holy Angels, San Angelo; Newman Center, ASU, San Angelo; Sacred Heart, McCamey; St. Francis, Iraan. Status: Laicized (officially resigned to secular life) 1995.
More:These Texas Catholic clergy members were accused of sexual abuse of minors
The Bishop of San Angelo is responsible for discipline, including removal from ministry, any priests and deacons within the Diocese of San Angelo.
Priests who belong to a religious order or a diocese other than San Angelo, responsibility for discipline resides with that order’s religious superior or the bishop of the priest’s diocese, although the Bishop of San Angelo can decide the priest may no longer practice ministry within the boundaries of the Diocese of San Angelo, the news release states.
Bishop Michael Sis of the Diocese of San Angelo said in the release there is no one currently serving in the ministry with "even one credible allegation of sexual abuse against a minor."
"By far, the majority of our priests and deacons have served with honor, dignity, and virtue. While trust has been compromised by the serious misconduct of a few, I publicly affirm the goodness and the fidelity of the many,” Sis said.
Sis wanted to reassure those who had reported any of the people named on the list that San Angelo's diocese were taking appropriate measures.
"If you have already reported (these names) to us, this is a sign that we take your situation seriously, and we want to be accountable for it," Sis said.
Sis encouraged anyone abused by someone in the clergy to come forward so San Angelo's Catholic diocese could be part of the healing process.
"If you have not come forward to talk about it, we encourage you to talk with Lori Hines, our Victims Assistance Coordinator so she can hear your story and help you to find healing through counseling that we will provide through professional therapists," Sis said.
"My hope is that through this process, more people will come to healing, and the societal problem of sexual abuse will be confronted by everyone," Sis said.
Sis said releasing the names was an expression by the dioceses of accountability and transparency.
"We hope this will build trust, and we hope the people will take it into account the serious protocols that we have been practicing diligently since 2002 to provide a safer environment for children," Sis said.
How to report child abuse in Texas
By law, suspicions of child sexual abuse must be reported to civil authorities. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services provides a secure website — www.txabusehotline.org — for reporting suspicions of abuse, neglect and exploitation. This website is intended for reporting situations that do not need to be investigated right away.
It may take more than 48 hours to process online reports. In cases where it seems that a person is in immediate danger, call the Texas hotline, 1-800-252-5400, or 911.
How to report child sexual abuse by a member of San Angelo's Catholic Diocese
Anyone with information of child sexual abuse committed by any volunteer or employee of the Diocese of San Angelo is asked to contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator of the Diocese of San Angelo, Lori Hines, at 325-374-7609 or at lhines@sanangelodiocese.org.
Other stories of abuse by Catholic priests in West Texas
STORY: Texas Catholic dioceses to release names of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors
STORY: Bishop Sis: Priest named in Pennsylvania abuse case served several parishes in West Texas
STORY: Read grand jury report about Catholic priest who served West Texas after abuse allegations
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