Skip to content
Call Today: 888-283-9922
Horowitz Law Logo
  • About
    • Adam Horowitz
    • Jessica Arbour
    • Elana Goodman
    • Robin Kissin
    • DeeDee Scheller
    • Eric Cantor
    • Alexandra Slater
    • Attorney Referrals
    • Testimonials
  • Who We Sue For Sexual Assault
    • Churches & Other Religious Organizations
    • Massage Businesses
    • Doctors, Healthcare, & Hospitals
    • Schools & Universities
    • Boy Scouts of America
    • Cruise Ships & Yachts
    • Summer Camp
    • Cheer & Other Youth Sports
    • Sexual Assault By Uber & Lyft Drivers
  • Sexual Abuse Lawyers
    • Child Sexual Abuse
  • FAQ
  • Media Coverage
    • Reported Cases
  • Legal Blog
  • Search
Contact Us

Br. Wellington Joseph Stanislaus – Archdiocese of San Francisco

Home  >  Sexual Abuse Law Blog  >  Br. Wellington Joseph Stanislaus – Archdiocese of San Francisco

December 4, 2020 | By Horowitz Law
Br. Wellington Joseph Stanislaus – Archdiocese of San Francisco

Brother Wellington Joseph Stanislaus

Ordained: 1965

Dismissed: 1972

Assignment History:

  • 1968-1971: Juvenile Hall (San Jose, CA)
  • 1970-1971: Novitiate Home for Boys (Los Gatos, CA)
  • St. Francis Parish (Pheonix, AZ)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Brother Wellington Joseph Stanislaus:

In 2003, Br. Wellington Joseph Stanislaus, known as "Brother Stan", was arrested on two felony charges of sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy in 1969. According to media reports, the abuse occurred at Novitiate Home for Boys in Los Gatos, California, which Stanislaus ran along with serving as the chaplain at Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall. Around that time, local authorities began investigating allegations of sexual abuse at the boys' home and even threatened to indict Stanislaus. In response, the Jesuits transferred Stanislaus to another youth program in Phoenix, Arizona, beginning in 1971 and then later dismissed him from the religious order one year later.

According to media reports, the 2003 criminal investigation revealed that church officials first received reports of Stanislaus' sexual proclivities in the mid-1960s while he was working as a track coach at Bellarmine College Preparatory School in San Jose, California. Despite these reports, church officials allowed Stanislaus to start the residential program for troubled boys in Los Gatos. Following media reports of the charges, several adult men came forward to report that they too had been sexually abused by Stanislaus when they were teenagers residing at Novitiate. Some victims described how Stanislaus would arrange to have them transferred from Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall to Novitiate. Once there, the boys were afraid to resist or report the sexual abuse for fear of being sent back to the detention center.

While the criminal charges were still pending, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1994 California Law that retroactively extended the statute of limitations for prosecuting sex crimes against children. Consequently, the charges against Stanislaus were dismissed.

Stanislaus was included on the Jesuits West Province of the Society of Jesus' "List of Jesuits from Jesuits West Province with Credible Claims of Sexual Abuse of a Minor or Vulnerable Adult," in the section "Deceased and Former California Province Jesuits with Credible Claims". He was also included on the Diocese of Pheonix list.

It is believed that Br. Stanislaus died in 2018.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of San Francisco 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 Archdiocese of San Francisco now have legal options due to a voluntary compensation fund created by the Archdiocese of San Francisco, 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 adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.



Safeguard Your Future with Professional Legal Support

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*
Last Name*
How Would You Like To Be Contacted?
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Disclaimer*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related Blogs

  • How Can a Lawyer Help File a Sexual Abuse Claim Against Organizations?
  • Fr. Bernard Schmaltz – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • Fr. Gerald Prinz – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • Father Gerard Kinane – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • How Do I File a Sexual Abuse Claim Against Clergy?
  • Fr. William Mannion, Jr. – Archdiocese of Baltimore
  • Health Department Issues Order Revoking Tommie James’ Massage Therapy License
  • Finding strength: Overcoming blame and embracing courage
  • Horowitz Law Client Sues Fontainebleau Hotel For Sexual Assault in Spa
  • What counts as a sexual assault during a massage?

Skilled Advocacy

Cycles Of Abuse And Fear Stop Here

The physical and emotional pain that stems from sexual abuse and assault can be devastating and have lasting, catastrophic effects on one’s life. If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted or molested, contact a lawyer for sexual assault and child molestation victims today at 954-641-2100.

Meet Our Team

Contact Horowitz Law

While this website provides general information, it does not constitute legal advice. The best way to get guidance on your specific legal issue is to contact a lawyer. To schedule a meeting with an attorney, please call the firm or complete the intake form.

 

Cycles Of Abuse And Fear Stop Here

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
How Would You Like To Be Contacted?
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Disclaimer*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Fort Lauderdale, FL
110 E Broward Blvd, Suite 1530
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-641-2100
Horowitz Law Logo
  • About
  • Blog
  • Team
© 2025 Horowitz Law   Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Sitemap