Deacon Ronald Gonzalez

Diocese of Harrisburg

Ordained: 1987

Assigned as Follows:

1983-1999 Chaplain for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the Diocese of Harrisburg
1999-2010 Supervisory Chaplain for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the Diocese of Phoenix
2003-2011 St. Thomas More Parish (Glendale, AZ)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Deacon Ronald Gonzalez:

In August of 2013, the Diocese of Phoenix received an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against Deacon Ronald Gonzalez. He had been serving in the Diocese of Phoenix since 1999, after relocating from the Diocese of Dallas. The allegation related to incidents allegedly occurring in Texas and Pennsylvania, prior to Gonzalez’s arrival in Arizona. The Diocese of Phoenix relieved him of his ministry duties and was later made to resign.

In August of 2018, the Harrisburg Catholic Diocese released a list of clergy it said were the subject of credible allegations of sexual abuse, one name that was included was Ronald Gonzalez. He served as a Chaplain for the Federal Bureau of Prisons for the Diocese Harrisburg from 1983-1999.

As of recently, in February of 2020, the Diocese of Harrisburg filed for bankruptcy protection. As part of its bankruptcy, the Diocese of Harrisburg will be reviewing and paying claims for anyone sexually abused by diocesan priests and lay employees. This will likely include claims filed on behalf of anyone whose case may be beyond the statute of limitations. Ahead of the grand jury report, the Diocese of Harrisburg released the names of 71 priests, seminarians and laypersons accused of sexually abusing children since 1941. This was from the updated list that the diocese released in August of 2018. After the report was released, the total was over 301 identified and accused priests in Pennsylvania alone. According to the proceedings, Gonzalez’s falls under the category of cases where abuse was first alleged while the accused was living.

His current whereabouts are unknown.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Harrisburg and throughout Pennsylvania. The Diocese of Harrisburg filed for federal bankruptcy protection in February 2020. Anyone sexually abused by a priest or employee of the Diocese of Harrisburg may be entitled to file a claim against the Diocese in these bankruptcy proceedings, but very strict filing deadlines apply. Most victims of abuse in the Diocese of Harrisburg will never be able to take action against the Diocese of Harrisburg if they miss this bankruptcy filing deadline, so it is important that you contact us immediately to discuss your potential case.

Deacon Ronald Gonzalez – Diocese of Harrisburg