Fr. James M. Ford – Diocese of Orange

On Behalf of | Sep 12, 2019 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father James Ford

Diocese of Orange

Born: 1940

Ordained: 1966

Retired: 2005

Died: 2011

Assigned as follows:

  • 1966-1971      Holy Family Catholic Church, Associate Pastor (Orange, CA)
  • 1971-1972     Our Lady of Lourdes, Associate Pastor (Northridge, CA)
  • 1972-1976      St. Raphael, Associate Pastor (Goleta, CA)
  • 1976-1980      Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Associate Pastor (Montecito, CA)
  • 1980-1982      San Buenaventura Mission, Associate Pastor (Ventura, CA)
  • 1982-1988      St. Rose of Lima, Associate Pastor (Simi Valley, CA)
  • 1988-1994      Our Lady of Peace, Pastor (Sepulveda, CA)
  • 1994-2005      San Roque, Pastor (Santa Barbara, CA)

Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father James Ford:

Father James Ford was ordained a priest in 1966, who served in the Diocese of Orange. According to media reports, he was accused of sexually abusing a 14-yr-old altar boy in from 1966 to 1971 at Holy Family Cathedral in Orange and other locations in Orange County and San Diego.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles investigated and found no grounds to remove from him ministry. He was sent to Santa Barbara. His accuser, who told Bishop Mahony of many other victims, sued the church in 2003 and eventually received a settlement.  The victim said he discovered 19 other individuals who told him they had been molested by Father Ford.

Father Ford’s file contains a memo from 1987 stating there had been multiple hearsay, verbal reports speculating that Father Ford may be involved with inappropriate activity with high school boys. In 1994, the principal of San Roque reported that another teacher expressed concern about Father Ford inappropriately touching students.

Father Ford has been named in at least one lawsuit. He retired in June 2005.  His faculties were removed in 2006 by decree of the Bishop, but were restored in 2008 by decree. James Ford died in May 2011. He was included in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ list of priests accused of sexual misconduct involving minors. Details of Father Ford’s abuse, from his personnel file, approximately 340 pages, were released on the Archdiocese’s website in January 2013.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Orange in California.  If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in one of California’s Catholic dioceses, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Orange now have legal options due to a temporary change in California law, 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 California and nationwide. We can help.

Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.