Catholic Priest

Paul R. Valdez

Ordained: 1982

In 1999, an 11-year-old girl attending Sacred Heart School in Salinas told her parents and a teacher that Fr. Paul Valdez had molested her during confession several months earlier.  The school’s principal scolded the girl and even humiliated her in front of the class, saying that the girl was lying and that all the children should keep quiet about the incident.  The principal then downplayed the allegation when reporting to law enforcement.  A subsuent police investigaiton confirmed that school officials had mishandled the incident and revealed that several other girls at the school complained about Valdez.  The family of the girl eventually filed a lawsuit, which the diocese settled for an undisclosed amount. As of 2011, Valdez remained an active priest within the diocese.

Father Valdez's Assignments

PlacementCity/StateDate(s)
Sacred HeartSalinas, CA1982..1984
Christ the KingSalinas, CA1982..1984
Cathedral of San Carlon BorromeoMonterey, CA1984..1985
AnnunciationStephen Place, CA1984..1985
St. Joseph'sCapitola, CA1985..1987
U.S. Military Chaplain1987..1989
Immaculate ConceptionTres Pinos, CA1989..1990
Holy CrossSanta Cruz, CA1990..1992
St. John the BaptistKing City, CA1992..1994
San Lucas, CASt. Luke's1992..1994
St. Elizabeth Ann SetonLos Osos, CA1994..1995
Sacred HeartSalinas, CA1995..1999
St. Michael'sBoulder Creek, CA1999..2005
Christ ChildLos Gatos, CA2003..2004
St. Jude ParishMarina, CA2005..2011
Diocesan HeadquartersMonterey, CA2010..2011