Bp. Juan Arzube – Archdiocese of Los Angeles

| Aug 31, 2020 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Bishop Juan Arzube

Archdiocese of Los Angeles (Extern)

Ordained: 1954

Retired: 1993

Died: 2007

Assignment History:

  • 1954-1956: St. Agnes (Los Angeles, CA)
  • 1956-1960: Resurrection (Los Angeles, CA)
  • 1956-1960: Our Lady of Victory (Los Angeles, CA)
  • 1960-1963: Ascension (Los Angeles, CA)
  • 1963-1971: Holy Name Society (Los Angeles, CA)
  • 1963-1970: Nativity (El Monte, CA)
  • 1963-1971: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Medina Court, CA)
  • 1971-1987: St. Alphonsus (Los Angeles, CA)
  • 1972-1987: Archdiocesan Consultors (Los Angeles, CA)
  • 1973-1986: Episcopal Vicar for Spanish Speaking Community (Los Angeles, CA)
  • 1978-1981: Placement Board (Los Angeles, CA)
  • 1987-1993: Regional Bishop of San Gabriel Region (West Covina, CA)
  • 1993-2007: Retired

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Bp. Juan Arzube:

Bp. Juan Arzube, a native of Ecuador, was ordained a priest in 1954, and served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Los Angeles. He was elevated to Bishop in 1971. During his 53 years as a priest,  Bp. Arzube served primarily at parishes in Los Angeles and other Mexican-American communities.

According to media reports, in 2003, Bp. Arzube was accused of sexually abusing an 11-year-old boy in 1975 to 1976, while serving at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in East Los Angeles. In a 2006 deposition,  Bp. Arzube admitted to training altar boys in his bedroom but denied molesting anyone. According to media reports, Aux. Bp. often lobbied on behalf of molesting priests, arguing that they deserved to be forgiven.

Bp. Arzube retired in 1993 and died in 2007 at the age of 89. Before his death in 2007, as part of a massive settlement with survivors of child sexual abuse, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles settled a civil lawsuit naming Bp. Arzube. His name was included in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ list of priests accused of sexual misconduct involving minors.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in California.  If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in one of California’s Catholic dioceses, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles now have legal options due to a voluntary compensation fund created by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us.  Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in California and nationwide. We can help.

Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.