Office of Communications

Deacon Jim Winder, Vice Chancellor

Direct: (575) 523-7577
Cell: (575) 644-5860
Email: jwinder@rcdlc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Diocese of Las Cruces Releases List of Credibly Accused

Priests and Religious
Las Cruces, NM (November 8, 2018) –

Today the Diocese of Las Cruces published the names of twenty-eight priests and religious who
have been credibly accused of sexual misconduct with minors and have served within the
geographical boundary of the diocese. Besides the names, the list also includes, if known, the
dates of the alleged incidents, the date they were reported to the diocese, the status of the
accused and the date and location of their assignments in the diocese.

In some instances, the abuse is alleged to have occurred prior to the establishment of the Diocese
of Las Cruces in 1982 or in another diocese altogether; however, the individuals are included
because they served in the Diocese of Las Cruces at some point. Some of the individuals identified
are deceased and the rest have been removed from ministry or retired. These persons appear on
the list because they have been listed as credibly accused by another diocese and/or the
allegations against them have been deemed credible by the diocese’s Sexual Abuse Review
Board, which is composed of citizens with expertise in law enforcement, mental health, and
children’s health.

1280 Med Park Drive | Las Cruces, NM 88005 | Main: (575) 523-7577
It should be noted that the dates of the alleged incidents of abuse range from the 1950’s to 2000.
There have been no credible allegations of abuse of children by priests or religious reported to
have occurred in the diocese after the implementation of the Catholic Church’s Charter for the
Protection of Children and Young People in 2002.

Since 2002, the Diocese of Las Cruces has implemented protocols which include safe environment
training and background checks for all clergy, employees and volunteers. Within the last five
years alone, the diocese has trained 17,000 people on how to recognize and report sex abuse.
Additionally, all children in our religious education classes currently receive Circle of Grace
training to teach them about the sacredness of their bodies and how recognize and ward off
inappropriate advances.

“By publishing this list, the Diocese of Las Cruces is seeking to be transparent and accountable,
and we invite anyone who may have been abused by church personnel to come forward and
report that abuse to the proper authorities,” said Bishop Gerald Kicanas, the Apostolic
Administrator of the diocese.

Bishop Kicanas added: “We are reviewing the files of every priest, deacon or religious brother or
sister who has ever served in the Diocese of Las Cruces to identify any additional allegations they
may contain and we will update this list should new information or allegations surface.”

“Sexual abuse of minors remains a significant concern in our society,” said Bishop Kicanas. “I hope
that by taking these difficult yet necessary steps to assure the safety of children we might inspire
other institutions to do the same so that, in our churches, schools and families, children and
vulnerable adults will be protected.”

The Diocese of Las Cruces provided this credibly accused list to the Attorney General of the State
of New Mexico this afternoon. And in a voluntary response to a request from the Attorney
General, the Diocese of Las Cruces intends to produce the complaint and personnel files of all

1280 Med Park Drive | Las Cruces, NM 88005 | Main: (575) 523-7577
those diocesan priests or religious who are included on this list. This information will be provided
to the Attorney General as soon as agreement can be reached regarding the protection of
sensitive personal information in these files, including victim identifying information and
individual parishioner information including sacramental records, personal letters, and contact
information included therein.

The Diocese of Las Cruces encourages those who have been the victim of sexual abuse by
clergy or church personnel to contact local authorities immediately. They may then contact
Margarita Martinez—the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the diocese—at (575) 523-7577 or
mmartinez@rcdlc.org for assistance.
_____________________________
About the Diocese of Las Cruces

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces was founded in 1982 and encompasses the counties of Dona
Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Luna, Otero, Sierra, Lincoln, and Chavez counties in New Mexico. The
diocese serves over 234,550 Catholics through 47 parishes, 44 missions, and 6 Catholic schools.

1280 Med Park Drive | Las Cruces, NM 88005 | Main: (575) 523-7577
PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS CREDIBLY ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ABUSE
OF MINORS WHO HAVE SERVED WITHIN THE CURRENT
TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIES OF
THE DIOCESE OF LAS CRUCES

By a decree of Pope John Paul II, the Diocese of Las Cruces was formed on August 17,
1982. The territorial limits of the diocese were defined as the New Mexico counties of
Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Luna, Otero and a portion of Sierra, which had
formerly been the jurisdiction of the Diocese of El Paso, the counties of Lincoln, Chavez
and the remaining portion of Sierra which had been under the jurisdiction of the
Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

The following table contains a list of priests and religious who have been credibly accused
of sexual abuse of minors and who have served in parishes located within the territorial
limits of the Diocese of Las Cruces before and after its creation. Some of the accusations
have arisen when the accused were working in the Southern New Mexico and others are
related to accusations made in another diocese.

The persons named in this report have been included because the allegations against
them have been reviewed and deemed credible by the diocese’s Sexual Abuse Review
Board, which is composed of lay professionals with expertise in law enforcement, mental
health, and children’s health, or they have been included on similar lists in other dioceses.
In determining allegations against an individual to be credible, the Diocese of Las Cruces
is not making a definitive statement as to the veracity of the allegations nor the guilt of
the accused, only that the allegations are serious and have not been discredited. By their
very nature, these allegations are extremely serious and only a court of law can state
definitively whether or not they are true.

From time to time, the Diocese of Las Cruces may add names to this list as people come
forward with new information. Any person with knowledge of sexual misconduct with
a minor by these individuals or any other past or present clergy or employees of the
Diocese of Las Cruces are asked to immediately share this information with your local
police or sheriff’s department. After contacting the authorities, you may also contact
Margarita Martinez, the Victim’s Assistance Coordinator for the diocese at 575-523-7577
or mmartinez@rcdlc.org with any questions or concerns you may have.
 DATE OF DATE
ASSIGNMENTS IN THE
NAME ALLEGED OF STATUS
DIOCESE OF LAS CRUCES
INCIDENT REPORT
Almaguer, Santiago
1975-1978 2012 1978 Our Lady of Health, Las Cruces
(Diocese of El Paso)

1985-1990 Holy Family, Deming

Barfield, Daniel R. 1990 2013 Died: 2003
1990-2003 St. Jude, Alamogordo

Bentley, David* 1998-2000 2018 1998-2002 Holy Family, Deming

* Inclusion on the list is based upon complaints in the Diocese of Albany and not upon the veracity of any complaints in the
Diocese of Las Cruces. Bentley is the subject of an unresolved lawsuit filed in 2018 alleging abuse at a parish in Deming.
1981-1984 St. Eleanor, Ruidoso
Laicized: 2005 1984 Immaculate Heart of Mary, Las Cruces
Bissonnette, Bernard 1983 1989
Died: 2008 1985-1987 St. Jude, Alamogordo
1988-1992 Our Lady of Perpetual Help, T or C

1977-1983 Our Lady of Perpetual Help, T or C

Chavez, Albert 1984 2002 Died: 1996
1984-1985 Our Lady of Purification

Diamond, Wilfred 1987-1988 2013 Died:1995 1965-1988 St. Jude, Alamogordo

No Claims in DoLC
Esquivel, Miguel Diocese of San Angelo 1996 La Tuna Prison Chaplain
List of Credibly Accused

1992-1995 St. Peter, Roswell

1992-1999 St. John, Roswell
1994-1995 Immaculate Conception, Dexter
Fountain, Dennis 1960 2009 Died: 2013
1999-2000 St. Peter, Roswell
2000-2001 St. Anthony, Artesia
2001-2008 St. Helena, Hobbs

1971-1977 Our Lady of Fatima, Bayard

1979 Infant Jesus, Hurley
1982-1983 St. Joseph, Lordsburg
Garcia, Samuel 1977 1996 Laicized: 2007
194-1985 St. Joseph, Fairacres
1987-1991 St. Martin de Porres, Sunland Park
1992-1993 St. Joseph, Lordsburg

1972-1974 St. Edwards School, Carlsbad

Guillory, Kerry
1975-1978 2007 1972 San Jose, Carlsbad
(Diocese of El Paso)
1975-1978 Catholic Youth Organization, Carlsbad
 DATE OF DATE
ASSIGNMENTS IN THE
NAME ALLEGED OF STATUS
DIOCESE OF LAS CRUCES
INCIDENT REPORT
Holley, David Convicted:
(Diocese of 1972-1974 1993 1993 1972-1975 St. Jude Alamogordo
Worcester) Died: 2008

Klister, Irving
Holy Family, Deming
(Archdiocese of 1950’s 1993 Deceased
1968 Our Lady of Perpetual Help, T or C
Santa Fe)

Labreche, Laurier
(Archdiocese of 1967 2002 1962-1968 St. Eleanor, Ruidoso
Santa Fe)

Ladenburger, Wayne No Claims in DoLC 1969-1970 Holy Cross Retreat Center, Las Cruces
Laicized: 1996
(Franciscan) Arrested in Idaho 1969-1970 St. Albert, Las Cruces

Lopez, Rosario
1974 2010 1974 St. Genevieve, Las Cruces
(Diocese of El Paso)

1967-1970 San Jose, La Mesa

1975-1977 Our Lady of Health, Las Cruces
Removed From 1977-1978 Immaculate Conception, Alamogordo
Ministry: 1992 1981-1983 Our Lady of Purification, Doña Ana
Lynch, Richard P 1971,1982 1992
1983-1985 St. Thomas Aquinas, Lovington
Died: 2017 1985-1987 Our Lady of Perpetual Help, T or C
1987-1990 St. Vincent de Paul, Silver City
1990-1992 Our Lady of Purification, Doña Ana

Maramba, Manuel
Living in 1976 St. Francis Newman Center, Silver City
Perez 1976-1977 2004-2012
Philippine Is. 1976-1977 St. Genevieve, Las Cruces
(Diocese of El Paso)

Martin, Phillip 1984 2002 1983-1984 NMMI, Roswell

Mazon, Diego
(Archdiocese of Santa 1974 2004 1972-1977 St. John Parish, Roswell
Fe)

1968-1971 Our Lord of Mercy, Hatch

Morgan. Arthur C. 1973 2013 Died: 2007
1971-1991 San Isidro, Garfield
 DATE OF DATE
ASSIGNMENTS IN THE
NAME ALLEGED OF STATUS
DIOCESE OF LAS CRUCES
INCIDENT REPORT
O'Sullivan, Arthur
1950’s 1993 Holy Family, Deming
(Diocese of El Paso)

1989-1990 NMMI, Roswell

Primavera, Bruno 1990 1990, 2016 Died:2006
1989-1990 Assumption, Roswell

Pudei, Casilda
(Archdiocese of 1957 1993 Died:1987 1956-1957 St. Edward’s School, Carlsbad
Santa Fe)

No Claims in DoLC
Sierra, Frank
On Archdiocese of 1962 Immaculate Conception, Alamogordo
(Archdiocese of
Santa Fe’s List of Credibly 1962-1968 Our Lady of Fatima, Bayard
Santa Fe)
Accused

No Claims in DoLC
1983 St. Thomas More, Chaparral
On Archdiocese of
Silva, Benjamin 1984-1985 Immaculate Conception, Berino
Santa Fe’s List of Credibly
1986 Holy Cross, Las Cruces
Accused Clergy

1976-1981 St. Thomas more, Chaparral

1982-1989 Our Lady of Guadalupe, Hobbs
1990 St. Genevieve, Las Cruces
Tejada, Dennis 1973 2002 Laicized: 2007
1991 Sta. Rosa de Lima, las Cruces
1992-1993 Our Lady of Purification, Doña Ana
1994-1996 Our Lady of Perpetual Help, T or C

1984 Immaculate Heart of Mary, LC

1985 St. Francis Newman Center, Silver City
Tickle, John 1976-1977 2004 Removed: 2004
1985-1993 St. Albert Newman Center, Las Cruces
1999-2000 Immaculate Heart of Mary, Las Cruces

1985-1988 St. Genevieve, Las Cruces

Viramontes, David 1986 2012 Died: 1997
1992-1997 St. Joseph, Fairacres