Father Alexander Q. Castillo
Ordained: 2011
Removed: 2019
Assigned as follows:
- Saint Anthony Parish (Oakley, CA)
- Our Lady of Guadalupe (Fremont, CA)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Alexander Q Castillo:
Fr. Alexander Q Castillo came to the United States from Costa Rica in 2008. He completed his theological studies at St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park. In 2011, he was ordained by Salvatore Cordileone, the former bishop of Oakland. He organized and directed missionaries in Costa Rica, and taught at the Serra Catechetical Institute for parents and instructors in the faith. He directed the reopening of the Escuela de Ministerios Pastorales in 2013, where he was an academic dean and taught several courses. In 2014, Castillo was appointed as Secretary to the Bishop and Episcopal Master of Ceremonies. In October 2017, Bp. Michael Barber appointed him director of the Department of Faith Formation and Evangelization overseeing adult ministry.
According to media reports, Castillo had a 20-year history of known and unreported predatory behavior. He was placed in poor, Spanish-speaking communities where children are less likely to report abuse. A 2019 child sex abuse lawsuit against him states, "Castillo used his position as a priest to have unlimited access to the children. San Bernardino Church officials have known for years about Castillo's predatory behavior, yet let him work in a parish with a school."
In January 2019, Castillo was placed on leave amidst allegations that he sexually abused a minor boy. It was publicly announced in a press release, and the police were notified hours later. He fled the country, and the Diocese filed a missing person report in February.
In March of 2019, police told church officials that Castillo had been "found", although they did not reveal his current whereabouts.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Oakland. 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 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 Oakland and nationwide. We can help.
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