Father Bertrand Horvath
Diocese of Orange (Franciscan Friars)
Ordained: 1970
Retired: 1974
Removed: 2001
Died: 2012
Assignment History:
- 1971-1974: Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, CA)
- 1971-1974: St. Kilian Church (Mission Viejo, CA)
- 1975-2018: Unknown
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Bertrand Horvath:
Fr. Bertrand (Bert) Horvath was ordained a Conventual Franciscan of the Province of St. Francis, Indiana, and was assigned to the Diocese of Orange in the 1970s. According to media reports, the Los Angeles Archdiocese released his personnel file in 2015 that revealed a complaint by a 43-year-old man about sexual abuse perpetrated by Fr. Horvath.
The alleged abuse occurred in 1970 at St. Kilian Parish in Mission Viejo, CA. The file states that Fr. Horvath would touch boys inappropriately while they were gardening and would ask questions about masturbation while touching himself.
In 2002, a civil lawsuit was filed that claimed Fr. Horvath sexually abused a child from 1971 to 1974 at St. Kilian Church. Fr. Horvath worked in several dioceses, including the Diocese of Amarillo in Texas, where he was allegedly stationed for 20 years. He left the Diocese of Amarillo in 2000 after the Diocese of Orange notified Amarillo about the allegations of child sexual abuse against Fr. Horvath.
Fr. Horvath was publicly named on the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ list of priests accused of sexual misconduct involving minors. It is believed that Fr. Horvath was residing in Ohio until his death in 2012. His name was included on the Diocese of Las Vegas List of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse released in April 2019.
Since 1975, his status as a priest, whereabouts, and whether he had access to children 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 Orange 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 Orange 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 at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.