Diocese of Tucson Sexual Misconduct Review Board Determines as "Credible" Allegations against Two Priests of Sexual Misconduct Involving Minors -- Dec. 3, 2004

The Diocese of Tucson Sexual Misconduct Review Board continues to fulfill its responsibility for the review of all allegations of sexual misconduct that are brought forth against Church personnel within the Diocese.

The Board recently has reviewed information concerning allegations of sexual misconduct with minors against two priests who served in the past in the Diocese.

Based upon its review of the information, the Board has recommended to Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas that he inform parishes at which the priests served of the Board's determination that the allegations are credible.

Bishop Kicanas is notifying the parishes of the Board's determination by letters that were to be communicated the first weekend of December.

The letters serve two purposes. The first is to inform parishioners that there is a credible allegation against someone who ministered at their parish. The second is to encourage any person who may have experienced abuse to come forward so that a report can be made to law enforcement and counseling support can be offered.

In addition, the letters communicate the public notice that April 15, 2005, is the deadline by which anyone who was abused by or suffered injury due to abuse by clergy or other persons working for the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Tucson, Arizona, or for a Catholic parish, school or mission in the Diocese and who contends the Diocese is responsible must file a claim with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

The letters identify the priests as Father Fernando L. Manzo and Father Claudio Riol.

Father Manzo was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, on March 22, 1956. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Tucson in 1983. He was placed on administrative leave in December of 2003 after the Diocese was notified that he was the object of a law enforcement investigation related to an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor.

In May of 2004, after the Diocese could not locate or communicate with Father Manzo, he was suspended from priestly ministry and removed as pastor of San Felipe de Jesus Parish in Nogales. The Diocese remains unaware of Father Manzo's whereabouts. He is not receiving a salary or any other financial support from the Diocese.

The Sexual Misconduct Review Board's determination that the allegation against Father Manzo was credible came after law enforcement had completed an investigation and civil authorities had decided that a lack of specific information precluded prosecution.

Father Manzo's assignments in the Diocese of Tucson were: St. Rose of Lima Parish, Safford (1983-1985); St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Yuma (1985-1986); Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Somerton (1986-1998); St. Monica Parish, Tucson (1998-2001); and San Felipe de Jesus Parish, Nogales (2001-2003).

Father Riol was born in Leon, Spain, on Feb. 18, 1903. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Trujillo, Peru, in 1930. He had no assignments in the Diocese after 1966, but apparently lived in Arizona until 1969. The Diocese is unaware of his present whereabouts.

His assignments in the Diocese of Tucson were: Immaculate Heart Academy, Tucson (1960-1961); St. Catherine Parish, Phoenix (1961); St. Bernard Parish, Pirtleville (1961); Immaculate Heart Parish, Phoenix (1965); and Immaculate Conception Parish, Ajo (1966).

At the time Father Riol served in the two Phoenix parishes, those parishes were in the Diocese of Tucson. The Diocese of Tucson has informed the Diocese of Phoenix about the Board's determination.

The Diocese of Tucson urges anyone who has experienced abuse or sexual misconduct by any worker for the Church or for the Diocese of Tucson to contact the Victim Assistance Program (800-234-0344) or the Diocese's Office of Child, Adolescent and Adult Protection (520-792-3410). Either office will listen to concerns and offer assistance in dealing with the consequences of the abuse.

It is the policy of the Diocese to report allegations of child abuse and sexual misconduct involving minors to law enforcement. The Diocese encourages anyone who has experienced abuse or sexual misconduct by any worker for the Church or for the Diocese of Tucson to make an independent report to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

In addition, if any person was abused by or suffered injury due to abuse by clergy or other persons working for the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Tucson or for a Catholic parish, school or mission in the Diocese and contends the Diocese is responsible, they must act now to file their claim.

The last day to file claims is Friday, April 15, 2005, at 4 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.

For additional information, including the names of parishes, missions and schools within the territory of the Diocese and the names of clergy or others whose names have been published by the Diocese against whom credible allegations of abuse have been determined, and to obtain a Proof of Claim form, please call toll free 1-866-413-4242 or download the form at www.diocesetucson.org under "Proof of Claim Form."