Diocese of Fresno Sexual Abuse Allegations

The Diocese of Fresno sexual abuse allegations have brought renewed attention to the serious harm suffered by children and vulnerable individuals under the care of clergy members. At Injury Lawyer Team, we represent plaintiffs in clergy abuse survivors and are committed to helping them take legal action against those responsible, including the institutions that allowed the abuse to continue.

For years, victims across Fresno and the surrounding areas have come forward to report abuse within the Roman Catholic Diocese. These stories reveal deep failures in church leadership and oversight. We support survivors seeking compensation, accountability, and acknowledgment of the suffering they’ve endured.

Whether your experience involves a priest, church volunteer, or other clergy, our team can help you demand evidence, build your case, and hold the Catholic Church legally responsible. If you or someone you love was abused by clergy in the Fresno Diocese, you don’t have to stay silent.

Who Are the Priests Accused of Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Fresno?

Bishop Accountability Records on Credibly Accused Clergy Members in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno

Reports and public records from Bishop Accountability have identified numerous clergy accused of child sex abuse in California tied to the Diocese of Fresno. These individuals have been linked to allegations of molestation, sexual misconduct, and abuse of minors while serving in parishes, schools, and ministries throughout the Diocese.

In many cases, the alleged abuse occurred over several years and involved vulnerable youth in church-run programs or educational settings. The information compiled highlights longstanding concerns about how the Roman Catholic Diocese responded to allegations and whether appropriate steps were taken to remove credibly accused clergy from ministry.

Listed below are priests and other clergy tied to the Diocese of Fresno who have been credibly accused:

• Fr. Henry F. Angelino
• Fr. John P. Boyle
• Fr. John A. Bradley
• Bishop Tod David Brown
• Fr. Hermy Dave O. Ceniza
• Fr. Gerald F. Chavez
• Fr. Frederic P. Crowley
• Fr. Francis X. Darmady
• Fr. Robert Davis
• Deacon Jose Morelos
• Fr. Raul Diaz
• Fr. William C. Dodgson
• Fr. John Esquivel
• Fr. Thomas E. Farrell
• Fr. Miguel Flores
• Fr. Sauveur Tambourin
• Fr. Benjamin S. Gabriel
• Fr. Robert Gamel
• Fr. Louis Aloysius Garcia
• Fr. John J. Gaynor
• Fr. Jorge de Jesus Gomez Forunda
• Fr. Ramon Salvador Gomez
• Fr. Craig F. Harrison
• Fr. Anthony G. Herdegen
• Fr. Ronald LaBarrera Villarreal
• Fr. Robert H. Lewis
• Fr. Michael J. Mangan
• Fr. Patrick J. McGrath
• Fr. Pascal Merola
• Fr. Anthony Moreno
• Fr. Juan Naldoza Nacauili
• Fr. Walter Nicholson
• Fr. Vincent A. O’Connell
• Fr. Bernardine Solvyns
• Fr. Eric Swearingen
• Fr. Jose Luis Vega Sanchez

Many of them served in parishes across Fresno, Visalia, and other parts of Central California. The presence of so many names linked to the Diocese of Fresno raises significant questions about the church’s oversight and response.

If you recognize any of these names in connection to your own experience or that of a loved one, legal options may still be available, regardless of how much time has passed.

Childhood Sexual Abuse Settlements Involving the Fresno Diocese and Its Filing for Bankruptcy

The Diocese of Fresno has paid significant settlements to resolve sexual abuse claims involving Catholic priests, monsignors, and other clergy.

One such case involved Fr. James Collins, a priest ordained in 1933 in Ireland who later served in the Diocese of Monterey, eventually becoming part of the Diocese.

Collins was accused in two separate lawsuits of sexually abusing young girls while assigned to St. Mary’s Church in Buttonwillow, California. One lawsuit, filed in December 2003, alleged five years of abuse beginning in the early 1960s.

That case settled in August 2006 for $875,000. A second lawsuit involved alleged abuse between 1958 and 1960, when the girl was between eight and ten years old. That case settled in 2020 for a low six-figure amount.

His name was included on the Diocese’s list of credibly accused clergy released in August 2021.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

In July 2025, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in response to a growing number of clergy sexual abuse lawsuits. In a public statement, Bishop Joseph Brennan cited a “serious financial situation” as the reason for seeking bankruptcy protection, stating the goal is to address the claims fairly while allowing the diocese to continue its ministry.

The bankruptcy filing comes in response to lawsuits filed under California’s Child Victims Act, which reopened the statute of limitations and led to a wave of claims from alleged victims across the Diocese of Fresno.

According to attorney Rick Simons, the bankruptcy process could affect how and when survivors receive compensation, especially those with expired claims that were revived under the law.

The Diocese of Fresno joins other dioceses across the state, such as in San Francisco and San Diego, that have used filing for bankruptcy to handle the financial fallout of decades of abuse.

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

California’s Assembly Bill Pertaining to Child Abuse Claims

California’s Assembly Bill 218, which took effect on January 1, 2020, created a three-year window allowing survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits, even if their claims had previously expired under the statute of limitations.

This temporary revival window, which closed on December 31, 2022, led to a surge of lawsuits against the Diocese of Fresno, as many survivors came forward for the first time to pursue accountability and compensation.

While that revival period has ended, individuals who were sexually abused in the Diocese of Fresno may still have options under current California law. The statute of limitations for clergy abuse cases now allows survivors to file claims until they turn 40, or within five years of realizing the long-term psychological or emotional effects of the abuse, whichever comes later.

These changes continue to give many child victims a chance to pursue legal action, even years after the abuse occurred.

How a Fresno Clergy Abuse Attorney Can Help

Survivors of clergy abuse often face overwhelming emotional and legal challenges, especially when holding religious institutions accountable. Working with a California clergy abuse law firm gives you access to attorneys who understand the sensitive nature of these cases and have experience handling claims against the Catholic Church.

If you or someone you love experienced sexual abuse connected to the Diocese of Fresno–whether in a parish, school, or church-run program–a qualified attorney can help. Legal teams with a background in clergy abuse cases know how to uncover evidence, identify responsible parties, and move claims forward, even when the abuse happened decades ago.

Accessing church records, understanding past transfers of credibly accused priests, and handling communications with church representatives can be difficult without legal support. Our attorneys manage those steps for you so you can focus on healing. Filing a claim gives survivors a voice, helps prevent future abuse, and can lead to meaningful compensation for the suffering endured.

Book a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one suffered abuse involving the Diocese of Fresno, the attorneys at our sexual abuse law firm are here to listen and help you understand your legal options. We offer free, confidential consultations to survivors of clergy sexual abuse.

Whether you’re considering filing a new claim or have questions about how the bankruptcy filing may affect your case, our legal team can guide you through what to expect. There’s no cost to speak with us, and no obligation to move forward unless you feel ready.

You don’t have to carry this alone. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward seeking justice.

Central California Dioceses Where We Can Help You File Claims

At Injury Lawyer Team, we represent survivors across California, including those with claims involving the Diocese of Monterey. If you were sexually abused as a child in a parish, Catholic school, or church-run program under this diocese, our legal team is ready to stand with you.

An experienced attorney from our law firm can assist you in taking legal action and pursuing compensation that reflects the suffering you’ve endured.

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.