Monsignor Brent Eagen
Ordained: 1956
Died: 1997
Assigned as follows:
- 1957-1959: Holy Rosary (San Bernardino, CA)
- 1960-1967: San Diego College for Men (San Diego, CA)
- 1968-1969: University of San Diego (San Diego, CA)
- 1970-1973: Boys Town of the Desert, Inc. (Banning, CA)
- 1971-1976: Cathedral Plaza Development Corporation (La Mesa, CA)
- 1971-1992: Mission (Basilica) San Diego De Alcala (San Diego, CA)
- 1993-1997: University of San Diego
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Monsignor Brent Eagen:
Msgr. Brent Eagen was chancellor of the San Diego Diocese from 1968 to 1989. He worked at multiple parishes which became part of the Diocese of San Bernardino when the Diocese was established in 1978. In 1993, he became the University of San Diego's first vice president for Mission and Ministry.
According to media reports, in a 2003 civil lawsuit, Eagen was accused of child sexual abuse in the summer of 1972, while he worked at Mission San Diego De Alcala in San Diego, California. The alleged abuse occurred at Nazareth House, an orphanage run by the diocese near the mission. The victim was was a 14-year-old girl and worked in the residence for the priests. According to the suit, Eagen became a "father figure" to her and she began to spend more time in the residence. One day, he invited her to his private room for a talk. Instead, she said she was raped on his bed, then told never to tell anyone.
The woman also alleged prior abuse at the orphanage by a nun and a handyman, as well as later abuse by Fr. Robert Buchanan. Church officials said Eagen had an exemplary record and no previous allegations of misconduct.
In October 1997, Eagen died. In October 2010, as part of a settlement with survivors of clergy sexual abuse, the Diocese of San Diego released Eagen's personnel file.
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.