Fr. Fernando Villalobos – Diocese of Stockton
Brother Fernando Villalobos
Diocese of Stockton (Franciscan)
Ordained: Unknown
Died: 1985
Assignment History:
- 1980-1984: St. Mary's (Stockton, CA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Brother Fernando Villalobos:
A native of Costa Rica, Fr. Fernando Villalobos was a member of the Franciscan Order and served in the Diocese of Stockton in California. According to media reports, Father Villalobos was known for his work in combatting gangs while working with the poor.
In 2003, Villalobos was named in a civil RICO lawsuit alleging Villalobos sexually abused a boy ages 12-15 between 1980 and 1983 at his residence while he was at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in downtown Stockton and at a church retreat in San Juan Bautista. Reports also say that the Bishop and other diocese officials "covered it up" at the time of the suit. Another suit was filed just a few months later, alleging abuse at the same parish.
Fr. Villalobos's name appears on the Stockton Diocese's Credibly Accused Friars list in 2017 and the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans list in 2019, noting allegations were received in 2004, 2014, and 2018 of abuse occurring between 1979 and 1983. After those reports came out, another lawsuit was filed alleging sexual abuse by Villalobos on a 16-year-old boy in 1979.
Br. Villalobos died in 1985.
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