Father John Knoernschild
Diocese of Orange (Carmelite)
Ordained: 1970
Retired: 2003
Died: 2010
Assignment History:
- 1974-1985: Crespi Carmelite High School (Encino, CA)
- 1986-1990: Carmel West Seminary (North Hollywood, CA)
- 1991-1996: Crespi Carmelite Community (Encino, CA)
- 1996: Leaves Archdiocese
- 1999-2003: Crespi Carmelite High School (Encino, CA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father John Knoernschild:
Fr. John Knoernschild was ordained a priest in 1970, who served in the Diocese of Orange. According to media reports, he was accused by a former Crespi Carmelite High School student of sexually abusing him from 1977-78. Fr. Knoernschild served as the principal of the school at time of the abuse. No further details have been released.
Fr. Knoernschild was in the LA Archdiocese before Orange was established in 1976. He left the archdiocese in 1996, returned in 1998, and left again in 2003. He was officially removed from ministry after a lawsuit was filed by those abused by Carmelites which named Knoernschild as one of the abusers. That lawsuit concluded in a $10 million settlement in 2006.
Fr. Knoernschild died in 2010. His status as a priest, whereabouts, and whether he had access to children from 2003 until his death in 2010 is 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.