Austin Diocese releases list of 22 clergy accused of child sex abuse

Bishop Joe S. Vasquez with the Diocese of Austin released a list of clergy and religious men he said were credibly accused of committing sexual abuse against a minor last week, including a few who served in parishes in Cameron and Rogers at one time. “With a contrite heart, today I have published a list of clergy and religious who have been credibly accused of committing sexual abuse against a minor,” Vasquez said in the release. “Simultaneously, my brother bishops throughout Texas are also publishing similar lists. It is my prayer and hope that publishing this list will help to bring healing from the hurt and anger caused by the lack of accountability and transparency on the part of church leadership.”

He went on to say the victims of sexual abuse by clergy have experienced much pain; we must continue to pray and care for our brothers and sisters who have suffered greatly. I apologize to the victims and their families for the diocese’s failures. The Church must always be willing to recognize and correct its failings. In making the list, outside professionals worked with diocesan staff to go over 70 years of archived documents. “The list contains the names of priests, deacons, or religious about whom the Diocese of Austin has received a credible allegation of committing sexual abuse against a minor. If the diocese receives additional credible allegations, the list will be amended. If you believe a name is missing from this list, please contact the diocese,” Vasquez said. He said the inclusion of a name on this list does not establish that the allegation was substantiated or proven to the Diocese of Austin, a court, or other authority, and does not establish that sexual abuse under the Texas Penal Code actually occurred. Seven men were listed from the Diocese of Austin and assigned to congregations in the area. Four of them are dead and two were laicized (removed from the clerical state). They are:

• Ricardo Aguilar, who was assigned to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Temple; St. Matthew in Rogers; Our Lady of Guadalupe in Taylor; and St. William in Round Rock. He was removed from the ministry in 2011 and was laicized in 2017. Aguilar was ordained in 1995 and is about 59 years old.

• Daniel Joseph Delaney, assigned to Sts. Cyril & Methodius in Granger; St. Joseph in Bryan; and St. Mary in Lampasas. He died in 2008 and was ordained in 1999. He was about 62 years old at the time of his death.

• James Gallagher, assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes in Gatesville and St. Thomas in Hamilton. Gallagher died in 2005 and was ordained in 1984. He was about 73 years old when he died.

• James H. Greenwell, assigned to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Temple; Blessed Sacrament in Cameron; Santa Maria del Pilar and St. Joseph, both in Marlin; and was the Veterans Administration chaplain in Waco. He died in 2012 and was ordained in 1954. He was about 88 years old when he died.

• Conrad Kinder, assigned to St. Mary in Temple; St. Helen in Georgetown; St. Thomas in Hamilton; and St. Mary in Taylor. Kinder died in 1978. He was ordained in 1921 and died at about age 87.

• James R. O’Connor, assigned to St. Mary in Temple; Holy Trinity in Jarrell; St. Helen in Georgetown; St. Thomas in Hamilton; and St. Mary in Taylor. He was laicized in 2018 and removed from the ministry in 2004. O’Connor was ordained in 1969. He is about 76 years old.

• Rafael Rendon Ozuna, assigned to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Temple and St. Joseph in Killeen. Ozuna was laicized in 2013 and removed from the ministry in 2010. He was a deacon who was born in 1944 and ordained in 2007. He is about 74 years old.

• Alberto Matta Tijerina, assigned to St. Helen in Georgetown and St. William in Round Rock. Tijerina was removed from the ministry in 1993 after his ordination in 1980. He was previously with the Diocese of San Angelo and is about 64 years old.

• Louis J. Wozniak, assigned to St. Helen in Georgetown. He retired in 1999 and was removed from the ministry in 2015. Wozniak was ordained in 1951. He is about 92 years old. In 2002, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops implemented the Charter for the protection of children. The Charter, coupled with the implementation of our Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) program, has had a significant impact in reducing the abuse of minors by clergy. Vasquez asked that if you have suffered sexual abuse and have not reported it, please report the abuse to law enforcement authorities. If the sexual abuse occurred by a minister in the church, please also contact our Office of Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM). “As Bishop of this Diocese, I remain committed to the care of all the People of God, especially those who have been sexually abused by the Church’s ministers,” he said. “I ask the intercession of Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our mother, to pray for us, as we strive for holiness and truth. May she look with tender compassion on those who have been hurt just as she lovingly stood by her Son at the foot of the cross.”