Monsignor James Booth
Diocese of San Bernardino
Ordained: 1946
Died: 2012
Assigned as follows:
- 1947: St. Joseph’s Cathedral (San Diego, CA)
- 1948: Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament (Descanso, CA)
- 1949: Our Lady of Angels (San Diego, CA)
- 1949: Young Men’s Institute (San Diego, CA)
- 1949-1952: North American College (Rome, Italy)
- 1953: Patton State Hospital (Patton, CA)
- 1954: College of Liberal Arts (San Diego, CA)
- 1954-1960: Graduate School of Law (San Diego, CA)
- 1954-1969: Nazareth House Orphanage (San Diego, CA)
- 1954-1970: Mission San Diego De Alcala (San Diego, CA)
- 1955-1967: Diocesan Consultors (San Diego, CA)
- 1965-1968: Administrative Council (San Diego, CA)
- 1965-1969: Indian Missions Commission
- 1970: Building Committee
- 1971-2011: Unknown
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father James Booth:
According to media reports, in February 2003, a woman filed a lawsuit against Msgr. James Booth, alleging he sexually abused her when she was 15 years old between 1969 and 1970. At the time, Booth worked at Mission San Diego de Alcala. A second woman filed suit in December 2003, alleging that he molested her between 1959 and 1960 at San Anthony’s parish. The victim was 13 at the time of the abuse. Booth denied any wrongdoing.
After twenty-five years as a priest, Booth left the priesthood in 1971, to marry a 19-year-old San Diego State University student. Later, he became an Episcopal priest and worked throughout Central Valley, California until he retired in 1983. 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. In October 2010, his personnel file was released and he was also cited for abuse in the 1940s, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Indio.
Booth died in January 2012.
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.