Richard Delahunty
Ordained: 1965
In December of 2003, Father Richard Delahunty was accused of sexually abusing a boy he encountered when he was serving at St. Barbara’s Church in Santa Ana, CA, in 1981. A civil lawsuit was filed and Delahunty was placed on leave from his position as the pastor of St. Nicholas Church in Laguna Woods, CA. Delahunty returned to this position in November of 2004 when the Diocese found no credible evidence against him. Although he returned to active ministry, he was still named as an abuser alongside two other priests in a lawsuit brought by 94 plaintiffs that resulted in a global settlement of $100 million in April of 2005.
Father Delahunty's Assignments
| Placement | City/State | Date(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Holy Spirit | Fountain Valley, CA | 1976..1979 |
| Our Lady Queen of Angels | Newport Beach, CA | 1980..1980 |
| St. Barbara's | Santa Ana, CA | 1981..1989 |
| Holy Family Cathedral | Orange, CA | 1990..1991 |
| St. Martin de Porres | Yorba Linda, CA | 1992..2003 |
| St. Nicholas Church | Laguna Woods, CA | 2003..2004 |
| Inactive leave | 2004..2004 | |
| St. Nicholas Church | Laguna Woods, CA | 2004 |
Articles about Father Delahunty
- Orange County Register - Another Priest Accused (02/01/2004)
- Los Angeles Times - Priest Is Back after Abuse Inquiry (09/11/2004)
- OC Weekly - Accused Priests of the Orange Diocese (04/03/2005)
- Orange County Register - Release of Church Records Fought (13/04/2005)
- Orange County Register - Million-Dollar Settlements (17/05/2005)
- The Orange County Register - Allegations against 3 Priests Costly for Diocese of Orange (17/05/2005)
