Father George Bredemann
Diocese of Phoenix
Ordained: 1983
Arrested: 1988
Laicized: 2003
Died: 2012
Assigned as Follows:
- 1980-1985 St. Teresa’s Parish (Scottsdale, AZ)
- 1985-2003 St. Catherine’s (South Phoenix, AZ)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father George Bredemann:
Father George Bredemann had been working at St. Theresa’s Parish in Scottsdale while he was studying to become a priest. Years before that, he had spent time as an executive with Boy Scout troops and working at the local YMCA. According to documents in his personnel file, several members of the clergy recommended against Bredemann being ordained. While it was not openly due to any inappropriate behavior with boys, but rather him as a person not being right for that line of work. This is a ‘red flag’ or potential ‘code word’ that was sometimes found in the personnel files of priests later accused of sexual abuse and would certainly be investigated in any litigation against the Diocese of Phoenix.
Bredemann went on to serve at three different parishes and admitted to molesting at least 8 young boys during those years. Bredemann was first arrested in 1988, and later admitted to molesting another 15 boys. Known victims were between the ages of 8 and 14 at the time of their abuse.
Bishop Thomas O’Brien wrote a letter on Bredemann’s behalf and claimed that nothing in his past would prove that he could have molested any of the victims.
Multiple civil suits were filed in 1990 and 1992, and both settled several years later.
Bredemann’s original criminal charges were reduced and he was only sentenced to 1 year in jail and a lifetime of probation. Shortly after the sentencing, George Bredemann was arrested again and was caught in Miami attempting to flee to Brazil. He was then given 45 years in prison, and eventually died there in April of 2012. His laicization from the church was announced in 2003.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Arizona, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix now have legal options to recover damages due to a change in Arizona laws. Contact us toll-free at 888-283-9922 or email us at [email protected] today.