Father William Valverde
Ordained: 1962
Assigned as follows:
- 1963-1964: Mary Star of the Sea (Oceanside, CA)
- 1965: Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Indio, CA)
- 1966: St. Mary (El Centro, CA)
- 1967: Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine (Riverside, CA)
- 1968: St. Joseph (Upland, CA)
- 1969-1970: St. Edward (Corona, CA)
- 1971-1973: St. Mary (Escondido, CA)
- 1974-1976: St. Ann Church (Needles, CA)
- 1977: City-County Jail (San Diego, CA)
- 1978-1982: Patton State Hospital (Patton, CA)
- 1983-1984: On Leave
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father William Valverde:
Fr. William Valverde left the active priesthood in 1983. According to media reports, in December 2003, he was named in a civil lawsuit filed by two men alleging that in the mid-1970s, Valverde had repeatedly exposed them and others to "alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and deviant sex" while they were minors at St. Ann in Needles, California. According to their attorney, four adult parishioners traveled to San Diego to meet with Bishop Leo Maher, who had jurisdiction over the San Bernardino County parish. They warned him that Valverde was "out of control".
In March 2007, his name was included in the Diocese of San Diego's list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor. Through clerical errors, these 2 plaintiffs were not included in the 2007 San Diego settlement and their lawsuit still existed until a settlement was reached in April 2008. Valverde was sentenced to a life of prayer and penance in 2010.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of San Bernardino. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in San Bernardino, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of San Bernardino now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an email to [email protected] to discuss your options today.