Brother Richard Suttle
Diocese of Phoenix
Ordained: Unknown
Removed: 2008
Assigned as follows:
- 1988 – 1998 Bourgade Catholic HS (Phoenix, AZ)
- 2002 Vietnam missionary
- 2006 – 2008 Sacred Heart (Prescott, AZ)
- 2008 IHM parish (San Antonio, TX)
- 2010 HS East Nigeria
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Brother Richard Suttle:
According to media reports, Brother Richard Suttle was a member of the Claretian Missionaries. In December 2008, he was accused of engaging in sexual abuse of a minor during the 1982-1983 school year while at Sacred Heart School in Prescott, Arizona. At the time, Brother Suttle was a teacher and a coach. He was principal at the school from 2006 until the allegation was made in the fall.
The Diocese of Phoenix conducted an investigation into the charges and forwarded its findings to the Claretian Missionaries. Brother Suttle denied the allegation. A Claretian review board found the allegation to be credible. He was removed from ministry and put on a “restrictive safety plan” that kept him away from children and young people.
After the allegations surfaced, Brother Suttle reportedly studied and lived with the Claretian Missionaries at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas, a few blocks from Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital.
In December 2010, Brother Suttle was assigned to direct a high school in East Nigeria for two years.
As of June 2013, he worked in Buenos Aires, Argentina with the Claretian United Nations team. He was “not involved in any work with children.”
His status as a brother, current whereabouts, and whether he has access to children are unknown.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Phoenix. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Phoenix, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Phoenix now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an email to [email protected] to discuss your options today.