Br. Jorge Ortiz Lopez – Diocese of Fresno

| Aug 19, 2020 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Brother Jorge Ortiz Lopez

Diocese of Fresno (Franciscan)

Ordained: N/A

Died: 2004

Assignment History:

  • 1976-1977:  St. Francis (Sacramento, CA)
  • 1977-1982:  St. Elizabeth’s (Oakland, CA)
  • 1982-1988:  Our Lady of Guadalupe (San Jose, CA)
  • 1988-1993:  Mt. Carmel (Fresno, CA)
  • 1993-1994:  Mission San Antonio (Jolon, CA)
  • 1994-1997:  San Damiano (Danville, CA)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Brother Jorge Ortiz Lopez:

Br. Jorge Ortiz Lopez was a member of the Franciscan Friars of Santa Barbara, who served in the Diocese of Fresno. According to media reports, in 1994, a man filed suit alleging that Br. Lopez molested him in the rectory of Sacred Heart in Prescott, Arizona when he was an altar boy from 1975-1976. The 1992 police report indicated that the victim was intoxicated when he entered Brother Lopez’s room and that Brother Lopez admitted full responsibility for the abuse. He promised to pay for the victim’s counseling but did not. The suit was settled in 1996. Br. Lopez died in 2004.

In 2019, his name appeared on the Franciscan Friars of Santa Barbara’s list of friars credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor, as well as the Dioceses of Phoenix and Oakland lists. The Oakland list notes that Fr. Lopez moved to Mexico in 1997.

Br. Lopez’s whereabouts, status as a brother, and whether he had access to children from 1998 until his death in 2004 are unknown.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Fresno 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 Diocese of Fresno now have legal options due to a temporary change in California law, 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 toll-free at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.