Catholic Dioceses Across Texas Release Names of Clergy Credibly Accused of Abusing Minors
Thursday afternoon just after 2pm, all 15 Catholic Dioceses across Texas released lists of clergy "credibly accused" of sexually abusing minors since 1950.
The Catholic Diocese of Lubbock was created in 1983, and before then was part of the Catholic Diocese of Amarillo. Names of Lubbock-area clergy are included on lists from both Lubbock and Amarillo.
Click here to read a statement from the Catholic Diocese of Amarillo, and to read the names of the clergy released by the Catholic Diocese of Amarillo. Click here to read a statement from the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo (includes Abilene), and to read the names of clergy released by the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo.
Continue reading for Lubbock-area information:
The Diocese of Lubbock released the following statement:
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lubbock published the names of clergy members credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor on January 31, 2019 on the diocese’s website.
The list in the Diocese of Lubbock goes back to 1983.
The bishops’ decision was made in the context of their ongoing work to protect children from sexual abuse, and their efforts to promote healing and a restoration of trust in the Catholic Church.
In a letter included with the publishing of the list, Most Rev. Robert Coerver, Bishop of Lubbock, wrote, that the release of these names—which is occurring in all the dioceses of Texas—is a good-faith effort on the part of the Bishops of Texas to increase transparency and help to restore some confidence among the ranks of the Faithful, that the administrations of our dioceses are serious about ending the cycle of abuse in the Church and in society at large, which has been allowed to exist for decades.
“I realize that this release of names will be a source of pain for victims, survivors, and their families,” Bishop Coerver wrote. “I realize that this might also be occasion for more victims to come forward and to be appropriately ministered to. We continue to pray for victims and survivors of abuse of any kind and especially for those families whose trust in the Church has been broken.”
In the letter, Bishop Coerver also encouraged anyone who has been abused by anyone acting in the name of the Catholic Church, especially by members of the clergy, to report that abuse to local law enforcement authorities.
Those persons reporting abuse in the Diocese of Lubbock— after contacting local law enforcement— should also contact Victims Assistance Coordinator Mr. Oscar Reyes, at (806) 543-9178.
Bishop Coerver authored the following letter, posted on the Catholic Diocese of Lubbock website:
My Dear People of the Diocese of Lubbock:
I regret that I am out of the country on a long-planned vacation overseas on this date chosen for the release of names of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors in the Diocese of Lubbock. Because we are a relatively young diocese, founded only in 1983, our list of offenders is –understandably and fortunately— relatively short.
Because the territory of the current Diocese of Lubbock contains counties formerly part of either the Diocese of Amarillo or the Diocese of San Angelo, there will be some names of offending clergy who served in what is now territory of the Lubbock diocese released by those dioceses.
The release of these names—which is occurring in all the dioceses of Texas— is a good-faith effort on the part of the Bishops of Texas to increase transparency and help to restore some confidence among the ranks of the Faithful, that the administrations of our dioceses are serious about ending the cycle of abuse in the Church and in society at large, which has been allowed to exist for decades.
The scourge of abuse must be stopped!
I realize that this release of names will be a source of pain for victims, survivors, and their families. I realize that this might also be occasion for more victims to come forward and to be appropriately ministered to.
We continue to pray for victims and survivors of abuse of any kind and especially for those families whose trust in the Church has been broken.
If you or any member of your family or anyone you know has been abused by anyone acting in the name of the Catholic Church, especially by members of the clergy, please encourage them to report that abuse to the Victims Assistance Coordinator of the diocese where they are living.
If that is the Diocese of Lubbock, the Victims Assistance Coordinator is Mr. Oscar Reyes, who can be contacted at (806) 543-9178 and contact local law enforcement authorities.
Though I am out of the country, do know that I carry with me in my heart the concerns of all victims and survivors of abuse and members of their families. I also carry with me the pain and scandal this brings upon the entire Church.
One consolation that we can derive from this scandal is that the cycle of abuse might finally be broken.
While I am physically far away at this time, please know that I am very close to you in thought and prayer at this time.
Let us approach the future filled with hope, maintaining principles of reparation, justice, mercy, and compassion. Christ the Healer is walking this journey with us; we are not abandoned!
Names released by the Catholic Diocese of Lubbock:
Names of All Clergy with a Credible Allegation of Sexual Abuse of a Minor
Priests Name: Alphonse Boardway, OFM, cap
Assignments: Saint George, Haskell - 1987 to 1989; Saint Ann, Stamford - 1987 to 1989
Status: Removed from Ministry- 1989 Died - 1997
Name: Nelson Diaz
Assignments: Saint Elizabeth, Lubbock- 2001; Our Lady of Grace, Lubbock -2002; Saint Francis, Wolfforth - 2003 to 2011; San Ramon, Woodrow- 2003 to 2011
Status: Permanently Removed from Ministry - 2011
Name: Patrick Hoffman
Assignments: Sacred Heart, Plainview – 1983 to 1986
Status: Removed from Ministry – 1987 Died – 2005
Name: Omar Quezada
Assignments: Our Lady of Grace, Lubbock - 2003 (Never served)
Status: Permanently Removed from Ministry - 2003
Deacons Name: Jesus Guerrero
Assignments: Our Lady of Grace, Lubbock- 1997 to 2003 Suspended - 2003 San Ramon, Woodrow - 2006 to 2007
Status: Permanently Removed from Ministry - 2008
The names of the following credibly accused, who served in the area of the Diocese of Lubbock prior to its creation in 1983, are listed on the Diocese of Amarillo web site.