Sexual Abuse and Assault Injury Lawyers
Archdiocese of San Francisco Sexual Abuse Allegations
The Archdiocese of San Francisco sexual abuse allegations have deeply impacted countless families and individuals across California. Many of these cases involve priests, religious brothers, and other church officials who were credibly accused of sexually abusing minors, often while serving in trusted roles within churches, schools, or youth programs.
At Injury Lawyer Team, we represent abuse survivors who were harmed by members of the Catholic Church, helping them pursue compensation through civil litigation.
If you or someone you love experienced childhood sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of San Francisco or any affiliated institution, you may still have legal options. Our attorneys are committed to holding alleged perpetrators and other parties accountable for the long-lasting harm caused.
Who Are the Priests Accused of Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of San Francisco?
Bishop Accountability Records on Accused Priests in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco
Over the past several decades, dozens of priests and other clergy tied to the Archdiocese of San Francisco have been credibly accused of child sexual abuse. In many cases, these allegations came to light years after the abuse occurred, often through civil lawsuits filed under California’s changing state law.
Organizations like Bishop Accountability have compiled extensive public records on clergy accused of abuse in California, including those in San Francisco. Many of them were accused of sexually assaulting minors during their time serving parishes, schools, and other Catholic institutions across San Francisco, San Jose, Menlo Park, and other Bay Area communities.
The following priests and clergy members have been named in abuse reports tied to the archdiocese:
- Fr. Peter Gomez Armstrong
- Fr. Theodore Baquedano Pech
- Br. Salvatore Billante
- Fr. Jean-Pierre Bongila
- Fr. Roberto Bravo
- Fr. Daniel E. Carter
- Fr. Edmond G. Cloutier
- Fr. Bernard Dabbene
- Fr. Harold Danielson
- Fr. Paul E. Duggan
- Fr. Charles J. Durkin
- Fr. Lawrence J. Finegan
- Fr. Linh Tien Nguyen
- Fr. Elwood F. Geary
- Fr. Robert J. Gemmet
- Fr. David A. Ghiorso
- Fr. Martin F. Greenlaw
- Fr. Michael D. Harriman
- Fr. John P. Heaney
- Fr. Gregory G. Ingels
- Fr. Frank Ivey
- Fr. John P. Kavanaugh
- Fr. Daniel T. Keohane
- Fr. Jerome Leach
- Fr. Epiphanius Lewis
- Fr. John A. Lynch
- Fr. Philip E. McCrillis
- Fr. Guy Anthony Murnig
- Fr. William S. Myers
- Fr. John J. O’Connor
- Br. Danilo Pacheco
- Fr. Richard P. Presenti
- Fr. Miles O’Brien Riley
- Fr. Christian Sandholdt
- Fr. Francis Joseph Scanlon
- Fr. Carl Anthony Schipper
- Br. Wellington Joseph Stanislaus
- Fr. Jose Superiaso
- Fr. Henry J. Trainor
- Fr. Leo Donald Tubbs
- Fr. Robert M. Van Handel
- Fr. Milton T. Walsh
- Br. Peter J. Yost
Childhood Sexual Abuse Settlements Involving the San Francisco Archdiocese
Several cases involving clergy tied to the Archdiocese of San Francisco resulted in significant financial outcomes. Settlements can reflect many factors: the strength of evidence, the number of survivors, the severity of the harm, and whether institutional decisions contributed to ongoing risk.
Survivors often describe long-term consequences that reach far beyond childhood: anxiety, depression, relationship issues, loss of stability, and difficulty trusting authority figures.
Below are examples of documented cases involving clergy affiliated with the Archdiocese.
- Fr. James W. Aylward
Aylward was accused of sexual abuse of a boy in 1997 after another priest witnessed suspicious contact. Although the boy denied the abuse, his parents filed a lawsuit. The Archdiocese settled the case in 2000 for $750,000. During a 1999 deposition, Aylward admitted to inappropriately touching numerous boys over a 12-year span. He was placed on administrative leave in 2000 and retired in 2005, though he had been supported by the archbishop prior to the deposition.
- Fr. Arthur Manuel Cunha
Cunha was arrested in 1986 after being seen with an 11-year-old boy in suspicious circumstances. He pleaded guilty to molesting two boys, received jail time, and was ordered into treatment. At least three civil matters were reported that year, including a settlement of $640,000. In cases like this, there may be a related police report, but civil actions focus on compensation and institutional responsibility.
- Br. Hal Ellis
Ellis was accused of sexual abuse at a clergy retirement facility in a lawsuit filed in 2003. The Archdiocese agreed to a $7.5 million settlement in September 2003. Ellis was elderly and ill at the time the suit was filed.
- Fr. Austin Peter Keegan
Keegan had allegations dating back decades, and reporting has described a high number of victims over time. A civil case reportedly resulted in a $450,000 settlement in the 1990s. Later criminal charges were affected by the Supreme Court’s decision related to the statute of limitations. He remained listed among individuals considered credibly accused in multiple regions.
- Br. John Moriarty
Moriarty, a member of the Christian Brothers, was accused in a 2003 lawsuit alleging abuse of a teenager in the 1970s at a retreat setting. The matter settled in late 2004 for $1.2 million. Later litigation accused additional clergy connected to school settings in the East Bay. Some claims also centered around access to minors in ministry environments, including contexts involving an altar boy role.
- Fr. Patrick J. O’Shea
Once a monsignor, Fr. Patrick O’Shea has been accused of sexual abuse by at least nine boys spanning the 1960s to 1980s. Criminal charges were filed in 1994 but later dismissed. Two civil lawsuits were brought the same year, and the Archdiocese of San Francisco settled one in August 1995 for $500,000 and another in June 1996.
In total, the archdiocese paid $2.5 million to 15 alleged victims in connection with O’Shea and two other priests. O’Shea was later arrested in 2002 for new allegations involving altar boys at Mission Dolores, with additional charges filed in 2003. However, those were dismissed as well. He was later convicted of embezzlement and laicized.
Bankruptcy Court Motion
The SF Archdiocese is currently involved in bankruptcy proceedings triggered by a growing number of childhood sexual abuse lawsuits. As part of that process, the court recently approved a motion allowing the public release of redacted minutes from the Independent Review Board, a group tasked with reviewing abuse allegations within the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
This decision came after ongoing pressure from sexual abuse victims, advocacy groups, and media outlets seeking transparency around how officials handled reports of sexual abuse and misconduct.
The court’s approval for bankruptcy permits the release of select meeting records, which could offer further insight into how the Archdiocese responded to allegations involving priests accused of having sexual relationships with minors.
This release may shed light on institutional responses to sexual misconduct and support ongoing clergy abuse claims under the California Child Victims Act.
How Long Do Clergy Abuse Survivors Have to Take Legal Action?
California’s Assembly Bill Pertaining to Child Abuse Cases Involving the Catholic Church
California’s Assembly Bill 218, effective January 1, 2020, created a temporary three-year window that allowed many survivors to file civil actions that were previously time-barred. That revival period closed on December 31, 2022, leading to increased filings involving multiple Church entities.
Even though the revival window ended, the extended statute of limitations for clergy sexual abuse cases allows victims to file until age 40, or within five years of discovering the psychological harm tied to the abuse, whichever is later. These timelines can be complex, especially when survivors only later recognize how trauma shaped their lives. If you are unsure whether you have a valid claim, a private legal review can quickly clarify your legal rights.
How a San Francisco Clergy Abuse Attorney Can Help
Speaking up about abuse is never easy, but taking legal action doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
An experienced attorney from our California clergy abuse law firm can help survivors gather records, identify where abuse occurred, and determine the proper forum: civil court or the bankruptcy claim process. We also assess whether other parties share responsibility, such as schools, youth programs, or supervisors who controlled access, policies, or reporting procedures.
At Injury Lawyer Team, we represent victims of sexual abuse harmed by priests and other officials connected to the archdiocese. Our work often includes reviewing assignments, locating prior complaints, evaluating institutional decisions, and building a documented claim that reflects the survivor’s real harm.
If you were sexually abused in connection with the Archdiocese, we’re ready to listen, answer questions, and explain the legal process without pressure.
Book a Free Consultation
If you or someone you love was sexually abused by a member of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, you may be entitled to pursue compensation through a lawsuit or bankruptcy claim. At our sexual abuse law firm, we offer private, no-obligation consultations. Your information will remain confidential, and there is no cost unless we recover compensation. Reach out today to speak with an experienced attorney.
Other Dioceses in Northern California Where We Can Help You File Claims
At Injury Lawyer Team, we handle sexual abuse claims across other Northern California catholic dioceses, including:
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.