Monsignor Benjamin Hawkes
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Ordained: 1950
Died: 1985
Assigned as follows:
- 1951-1952: St. Michael (Los Angeles, CA)
- 1953-1969: Archbishop’s Residence (Los Angeles, CA)
- 1970-1985: St. Basil (Los Angeles, CA)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Monsignor Benjamin Hawkes:
Monsignor Benjamin Hawkes was ordained a priest in 1950, who served in multiple parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Prior to the priesthood, he was an accountant for Lockheed Aircraft. He held several administrative positions within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles including Vicar General, Secretary, Chancellor, Archdiocesan Consultor, treasurer, member of the Seminary Committee, member of the Building Commission, member of the Archdiocesan Advisory Board of Education, member of the Cemeteries Board, and member of the Priest Relief Association. The second-in-command to two cardinals, he ran the Los Angeles church for three decades, during which it grew into the largest, most diverse, and arguably the wealthiest archdiocese in the country. He died in 1985.
According to media reports, in 1995, Monsignor Hawkes was accused of sexually abusing two boys from 1973 to 1985, while he was assigned to St. Basil in L.A. Both of the victims’ claims were settled.
One alleged victim, a former altar boy, wrote in his April 1995 letter to the archdiocese, ”Even though he is dead, I believe the Archdiocese should be aware of Msgr. Hawkes’ actions. The man that I trusted and respected as a mentor and spiritual father took advantage of his position and left me with a traumatic experience to deal with.”
As part of the 2007 $660 million settlement with 508 plaintiffs, in January 2013, the archdiocese released personnel files of 25 priests, including Monsignor Hawkes. His name appeared on the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ list of clergy credibly accused of sex abuse of minors.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest or other Catholic clergy in California State, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles now have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Los Angeles and nationwide. We can help.
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