Monsignor William Kraft
Diocese of San Diego
Ordained: 1951
Retired: 1991
Died: 2001
Assigned as Follows:
- 1951: Mary, Star of the Sea (La Jolla, CA); Our Lady of Guadalupe (San Bernardino, CA)
- 1951-1952: St. Joseph Cathedral (San Diego, CA)
- 1952: St. Bernardine’s (San Bernardino, CA)
- 1952-1953: Holy Rosary (San Bernardino, CA)
- 1953-1956: Blessed Sacrament (San Diego, CA)
- 1956-1969: St. Therese (San Diego, CA)
- 1969-1970: Holy Cross Cemetery (San Diego, CA)
- 1970-1977: Good Shepherd/ Sharp Hospital Complex (San Diego, CA)
- 1977-1978: St. Charles Borromeo (San Diego, CA)
- 1978-1979: Catholic Community Services (San Diego, CA)
- 1978-1980: Director of Stewardship (San Diego, CA)
- 1980-1991: Director of Planned Giving (San Diego, CA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Monsignor William Kraft:
Monsignor William Kraft was ordained a priest in 1951, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of San Diego. Known as a successful fund-raiser, he was named the executive development director of the diocese. He was also honored for his service by Pope John Paul II.
According to media reports, multiple survivors have come forward alleging child sexual abuse by Monsignor William Kraft, including several minor boys and at least one girl from 1953 through the 1970s. The accusations range from fondling to rape. He denied all allegations against him.
Monsignor Kraft has been named in multiple civil lawsuits filed since 2003. One of the suits alleged that he attempted to rape a boy in the church rectory at St. Therese in Del Cerro in 1969, after abusing him for five years beginning when the boy was 11-years-old.
In December 2001, another suit alleged abuse of a boy beginning when he was 9 until he was 17 years old, while Monsignor Kraft was pastor of Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church in Mira Mesa. The case was settled for $250,000. Another suit that came forward, was by a woman who alleged abuse when she was a teen in 1961. She had been hospitalized with rheumatic fever and claimed that Monsignor Kraft molested her while administering the sacrament of the last rites of the church. Another suit was by a man who said Monsignor Kraft abused him hundreds of times from 1970 to 1974 and gave him gifts, including money and a motorcycle, to keep quiet.
Monsignor Kraft retired in 1991 and later died in September 2001.
In March 2007, Monsignor Kraft’s name was included in the Diocese of San Diego’s list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. The suits were settled in September 2007, as part of a $198.1 million settlement.
In October 2010, as part of a settlement with survivors of clergy sexual abuse, the Diocese of San Diego released his personnel file which revealed letters from an accuser’s parents dated back to 1969, addressed to the then-bishop Francis Furey. Richard Sipe, a former priest and retired psychotherapist, said that he believed the letters are authentic. “So there are many, many, many documents, files and files and files of documents that show the sexual activity — with minors — by priests of this diocese,” said Sipe. “It went on from the very beginning of this diocese.” A statement from the Diocese said, “the letters also indicate that Bishop Furey investigated the allegation and found no reason to take further action.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of San Diego 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 San Diego now have legal options due to a temporary change in the 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.