Fr. Celestine Quinlan – Diocese of Santa Rosa

On Behalf of | Dec 27, 2020 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father Celestine Quinlan

Diocese of Santa Rosa (Capuchins)

Ordained: 1957

Died: 1970

Assignment History:

  • 1958-1962: St. Francis of Assisi (Los Angeles, CA)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Celestine Quinlan:

Fr. Celestine Quinlan was ordained a priest of the Capuchin religious order in 1957, who served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa. According to media reports, he was named in four civil lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse that occurred from 1957 to 1962 while Fr. Quinlan was assigned at St. Francis of Assisi in Los Angeles. One victim stated that the priest also abused other altar boys and that Fr. Quinlan would rush through Mass to provide time for him to molest them.

Fr. Quinlan was transferred to Willits in San Francisco after the mothers of two alleged victims reported the abuse to church officials. According to the attorney for multiple alleged victims of Fr. Quinlan, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles revealed that Fr. Quinlan had been sent to a reservation in Arizona to pay penance for his sins.

Fr. Quinlan was included in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ and Santa Rosa Diocese’s lists of priests accused of sexual misconduct involving minors.

He died in 1970.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa now have legal options due to a temporary change in California 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 toll-free at 888-283-9922  [email protected] to discuss your options today.