Santa Rosa Diocese reaches settlement with priest's abuse victims

Published: 2007-09-14

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (CNS) -- The Diocese of Santa Rosa reached a settlement of more than $5 million to resolve sex abuse claims against a fugitive priest, Father Francisco Ochoa-Perez, who was an assistant pastor in Sonoma. The settlement will be paid to 10 people and is being funded by insurance coverage and the sale of a piece of property next to the Cathedral of St. Eugene, according to a Sept. 13 statement from Deirdre Frontczak, a spokeswoman for the diocese. According to local news reports, the settlement was reached Aug. 27. It was made public Sept. 13. The sum of $5 million will come from those sources and an additional $20,000 will be paid personally by Santa Rosa Bishop Daniel F. Walsh from stipends he receives when he officiates at baptisms and weddings. Last year in late April, the priest, who also goes by the name Francisco Xavier Ochoa, admitted to Bishop Walsh and other top diocesan officials that he had had inappropriate contact with children, including kissing an altar boy and giving him money. The bishop suspended him immediately. About a week later Father Ochoa-Perez fled the area. It is believed he has been living in Mexico since that time.

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