Father Gary B. Tollner
Diocese of Oakland
Ordained: 1961
Died: 1999
Assignment History:
- 1961-1966 St. John the Baptist (El Cerrito, CA)
- 1966-1971 St. Lawrence O’Toole (Oakland, CA)
- 1971-1973 Santa Maria (Orinda, CA)
- 1973-1985 St. Phillip Neri (Alameda, CA)
- 1985-1995 St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus (Oakland, CA)
- 1985-1999 Propagation of the Faith (Oakland, CA)
- 1988-1999 St. Peter the Apostle Society (Oakland, CA)
- 1989-1999 Catholic Ladies’ Aid Society (Oakland, CA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Gary B Tollner:
A priest of the Oakland Diocese, Fr. Gary B Tollner, has been accused of sexually abusing at least six children since the 1960s. According to media reports, in 1982, his sister-in-law reported that he had sexually abused her developmentally disabled young adult son. When this accusation came to light, others began to report abuse by Tollner. Reports were also made by parishioners that alleged that Tollner was engaging in suspicious behavior with young boys involving alcohol, drugs, and a hot tub.
In 1985, Tollner was sent to St. Luke’s Institute in Maryland, an institution known for treating priests accused of child sex abuse. According to media reports, in 1987, Tollner was accused of sexually abusing an 11-year-old boy at St. Lawrence O’Toole beginning in 1966, and that the abuse continued into adulthood. From 1985 to 1995, Tollner was allowed to reside at a parish, which had a school, in which he held several Chancery positions. Tollner was named publicly as a sex offender at the February 2004 Diocese of Oakland’s apology service.
In 2019, Tollner was included on the Diocese of Oakland list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor.
Tollner died in 1999.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Oakland in California. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in California, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Oakland 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 California and nationwide. We can help.
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