Father John Ruhl
Ordained: 1964
Removed: 2002
Assigned as follows:
- 1965-1966 Unknown
- 1967-1971 Seminary of Our Lady Queen of Angels (San Fernando, CA)
- 1971 Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Newell, CA)
- 1972-1977 St. Vincent Seminary (Montebello, CA)
- 1978-1979 St. Vincent de Paul (Huntington Beach, CA)
- 1980-1981 St. Anthony Claret (Anaheim, CA)
- 1982 Unknown
- 1983-1987 Mission San Juan (Capistrano, CA)
- 1988-1991 St. Joseph's (Placentia, CA)
- 1992-2001 Inactive Leave
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father John Ruhl:
Father John Ruhl was a member of the Vincentian religious order. In 1983, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Orange. According to media reports, he has been named in three civil lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse. Father Ruhl reportedly had Friday night dinner every week with the family of one of his victims. One suit alleged abuse from approximately 1972 to 1973. Another alleged abuse from approximately 1981 to 1982.
In 1992, the third lawsuit was filed against Father Ruhl, the Diocese of Orange, bishops, and other church officials. The lawsuit requested a temporary restraining order and alleged that Father Ruhl physically assaulted a kindergartener at St. Joseph Elementary School in Placentia. He went on a leave of absence shortly after the suit was filed.
According to Father Ruhl's personnel files released in 2013, in 1993 church officials noted that they had given him a lie detector test after a previous allegation was made, and said "that there was reason to suspect that there had possibly been other inappropriate behaviors."
Father Ruhl's name appeared on the Archdiocese of Los Angeles' list of clergy credibly accused of sex abuse of minors. He was also named in the Diocese of Orange's list of clergy removed from ministry following a credible allegation of sexual abuse. As of 2016, the Diocese of Orange listed his status as a "Life of Prayer and Penance." His current whereabouts are unknown.
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. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest or other Catholic clergy in California State, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles now have legal options, 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 Los Angeles and nationwide. We can help.
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