Monsignor Matthew Thompson
Diocese of San Bernardino
Ordained: 1928
Died: 1976
Assigned as follows:
- 1929-1930: St. Gregory of Nazianzen (Los Angeles, CA)
- 1931-1934: St. Ignatius of Loyola, (Los Angeles, CA)
- 1935-1937: St. Joseph’s Cathedral (San Diego, CA)
- 1938-1939: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Calexico, CA)
- 1940: Our Lady of Guadalupe (San Diego, CA)
- 1941-1942: Nazareth House Orphanage (San Diego, CA)
- 1943: St. Joseph’s (Big Bear Lake, CA)
- 1944-1975: St. Edward (Corona, CA)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Monsignor Matthew Thompson:
Msgr. Matthew Thompson worked in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Diocese of San Diego. According to media reports, at least two survivors have alleged that Thompson sexually abused them as children. One man claimed he was an altar boy in the late 1950s-early 1960s when the abuse occurred. The allegations were deemed credible, and their claims against him were included in the Diocese of San Diego’s $200M settlement with survivors of child sexual abuse in 2007.
After his death, the City of Corona honored him by naming a street after him, but the diocese wanted the name replaced after the allegations surfaced. In March 2007, his name was included in the Diocese of San Diego’s list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors.
At the request of the Diocese of San Bernardino and sexual abuse victims, in 2009, the City of Corona changed the name of the street. In October 2010, as part of a settlement with survivors of clergy sexual abuse, the Diocese of San Diego released his personnel file.
Thompson retired in 1975 and died in October 1976.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of San Bernardino. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in San Bernardino, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of San Bernardino 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.