Rudi Gil
Ordained: 1978
In 1993, it was announced that Rudi Gil had been placed on administrative leave from his position as pastor of St. Frances Roman Catholic Church in Lake Elsinore, CA, after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him. It was alleged that he had had sex with a minor in 1987. According to a list of priests credibly accused of sexual misconduct released by the Diocese of San Bernardino in October of 2018, the diocese was aware of this incident in 1987, but did not suspend Gil until 1993. Gil was a popular priest and Hispanic rights activist in the communities in which he served, and he protested his removal. However, reporting in 2002 indicates that he may have admitted to the abuse during counseling with church officials in 1993, possibly at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Retreat in Cherry Valley, CA. Gil moved to Ensenada, Mexico while on administrative leave, then moved back to Lake Elsinore, ostensibly to pursue counseling. Though he lacked the authority to do so, in 1995, Gil began advertising in local papers that he was available to privately perform baptisms, first communions, quinceaneras, and weddings. In 2002, the diocese released his name to police for investigation of the allegations against him. As of 2018, the Diocese of San Bernardino considers him removed from the priesthood.
