Diocese addressing misconduct cases
Will cooperate with law enforcement; opens hotline for abuse victims

The Diocese of Sacramento will cooperate with all requests from law enforcement in the 20 counties of Northern California about priests who have been accused of sexually abusing minors, an attorney for the diocese said April 16.

The decision was the latest of new efforts by Bishop William K. Weigand in recent weeks to respond locally to the serious crisis facing the church nationally because of child sexual abuse by clergy.

Diocese attorney James Sweeney said he had contacted Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully “to indicate our willingness to cooperate” with her office in any investigation.

“We’re going to provide whatever information they need to look into the cases—names of accused perpetrators, locations and dates of events said to have arisen, the general nature of the events and the names of victims, so they can contact them if that’s what law enforcement deems appropriate,” he said. “It’s not a demand for information, but a joint and cooperative effort to be proactive in on this issue.”

Scully confirmed the arrangement with the diocese, according to The Sacramento Bee. “I appreciate the cooperation and willingness of the diocese to do the right thing,” she told The Bee.

Sweeney, who has been a prosecutor in San Diego and Kern counties, said he is in the process of notifying district attorneys in any county where an accusation has surfaced about the diocese’s willingness to release information to prosecutors on abuse cases.

“We’re respecting the wishes and policies of law enforcement, and we also want to make sure that these matters are handled professionally and with the utmost sensitivity to best serve the interests of public safety,” he said. “Law enforcement will have the opportunity to speak confidentially with victims and we will let district attorneys and police departments make the decision as to what information should be released publicly.”

On April 5, Bishop Weigand during a press conference disclosed that 14 priests of the diocese have been accused of sexual misconduct with minors over the past 30 years. Of the 14, he said, two are dead; two are retired and banned from ministry; and seven have abandoned the priesthood or fled the jurisdiction.

The remaining three priests are in active ministry in the diocese because “the allegations were not sustainable,” the bishop said. Sweeney said April 16 that those three cases would be among those turned over to authorities.

Bishop Weigand cited only two of the 14 priests by name: Javier Garcia and Jorge Moreno, who are both living in Mexico and no longer priests.

In addition, the bishop disclosed that three other diocesan priests were removed from their ministries April 5, but not because of any allegations of sexual misconduct.

“My reason for removing them is simply that their pattern of behavior has raised doubts in my mind as to their suitability for ministry,” he said during the conference held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Sacramento.

He did not elaborate on what characteristics made the priests unsuitable and added that they will not be restored to ministry “until or unless those doubts are removed by prudent assessment by professionals.”

In his comments, the bishop offered an emotional apology to the people and families who have been injured by any priestly misconduct as well as to all parishioners and clergy.

“I humbly ask for their forgiveness,” he said. “Our job is not to test your faith, our job is rather to support and nurture it. I hope the steps I have announced today will take us down that path.”

He also appealed to parishioners and the public not to judge the majority of good priests by the actions of a few bad ones.

“Priests are held to a high standard,” he said. “Most priests take that seriously. Most live good lives, free from contradiction; they strive for holiness; they exercise their priestly ministry selflessly and give exemplary witness. Priests themselves are angered and heartsick by the irresponsible conduct of a few, which casts a pall of suspicion over the majority, who are faithful. I myself am angry—and deeply grieved.”

The bishop announced five policy steps “to renew, refresh and restore the bond of trust” in the diocese:

• An updated sexual misconduct policy and procedures “to reflect zero-tolerance for priests and church workers who abuse children.”

• A toll-free hotline to report possible misconduct on the part of priests or church workers. The number is (866) 777-9133.

• The appointment of a complainant liaison, Nancy Milton, a diocesan employee, to monitor the toll-free hotline and to “make sure any victim of misconduct receives the care and attention he or she deserves.” (See related story, this page.)

• New workshops for clergy, lay workers and volunteers to update them on the revised sexual misconduct policy and procedures.

• Further enhancing of the screening of seminarians to include a second round of psychological testing close to ordination. Also, the addition of fingerprinting and criminal background checks prior to acceptance to the seminary. “We do not and we will not accept just anyone who applies,” Bishop Weigand said.

• Limiting of confidential settlements in cases of sexual misconduct. Future settlements by the diocese will only be confidential at the request of a victim. If insurance carriers require that the amount of the settlement be kept confidential, the fact that a settlement took place will not be confidential.

“During my eight years as bishop, I didn’t think much about settlements in terms of being ‘secret’—that’s simply the way things were done, the way lawyers prepared things on both sides,” Bishop Weigand said in answer to a question about confidential settlements. “That system now is no longer going to be in place. It’s evolving because society expects more openness. Being open will help us to tackle problems sooner, take action faster and help the victim to full healing much easier.”

In an interview published in The Bee April 12, Bishop Weigand disclosed that the diocese has paid out $1.3 million over the past 30 years to settle claims of child sexual abuse against its priests. He said an additional $450,000 was spent for claims by people who were adults when the alleged abuse took place.

Most of the money was paid by insurance, the bishop said, emphasizing that the settlements did not come from the diocese’s ongoing $50 million capital campaign.

Bishop Weigand also disclosed that a complaint had been made three years ago against Father William Hold. Now retired, Father Hold lives in Oregon and formerly served at Holy Rosary Parish in Woodland.

Diocesan officials told Holy Rosary parishioners April 7 about the complaint and asked for any others with complaints to come forward. The alleged abuse took place approximately 20 years ago. “This was a proactive attempt to see if there is anybody else,” Bishop Weigand told The Bee.

The bishop added that he decided to go public with Father Hold’s name because Holy Rosary parishioners had not been notified of the allegation. He said the announcement was one of many steps to open the issue of abuse for public discussion.

Bishop Weigand additionally disclosed to The Bee that Father Michael Walsh has been granted time off from his present assignment as producer of “The Bishop’s Hour” radio program.

The diocese has reached confidential settlements with two men who have accused Father Walsh of sexual misconduct, one in the 1970s and one in the 1980s. Father Walsh has denied both allegations. He was removed April 4 by diocesan officials as a priest in residence at St. John Vianney Parish in Rancho Cordova.

Father Walsh “has been under severe public scrutiny and he requested personal time off to deal with the stress he is under,” according to Father James Murphy, media spokesman for the diocese.

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