Richard Coughlin

Ordained:

Father Richard Coughlin, who also served in the Archdiocese of Boston, has been accused of abusing choir boys in the Diocese of Orange from 1965-1981. In 1988, the Diocese of Orange was informed by the Archdiocese of Boston that it had received complaints of sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated by Coughlin when the priest was working there. However, the Diocese of Orange did not suspend Coughlin until 1993. As of 2005, the Diocese of Orange had paid $3,119,700 to settle lawsuits regarding sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated by Coughlin. According to a list of priests credibly accused of sexual abuse released by the Diocese of Orange in 2016, Coughlin has been removed from ministry and sentenced under canon law to a life of prayer and penance.

Father Coughlin's Assignments

Articles about Father Coughlin

• Orange County Weekly - Hide the Buggering Priests! (09/07/2004)
• OC Weekly - Accused Priests of the Orange Diocese (04/03/2005)
• Orange County Register - Million-Dollar Settlements (17/05/2005)