Fr. Jerome Henson – Diocese of Sacramento

| Jun 10, 2020 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father Jerome Henson

Diocese of Sacramento/Diocese of Dominican

Ordained: 1977

Transferred: 1981

Assignment History:

  • 1977-1981: St. Dominic’s Church (Benicia, CA)
  • 1981-1982: St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral (Reno, NV)
  • 1982-1983: Military Reserve Chaplain
  • 1983-1988: St. Raymond of Penyafort Priory (Spain)
  • 1988-1989: St. Vincent Ferrer House (Dominicans)
  • 1990-1992: St. Anthony Claret
  • 1992-1996: St. Angela Merici
  • 1996-2002: St. John the Baptist Church
  • 2002-2003: Inactive Leave

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Jerome Henson:

In 1981, four years after being ordained, Fr. Jerome Henson was caught in a compromising position in a graveyard at night with a 13-year-old boy in Sacramento, CA, by a patrolling policeman. While charges weren’t pressed, Henson was immediately removed from the Diocese of Dominicans and transferred to the Diocese of Reno, where he stayed for a few years before being sent to Orange.

According to media reports, it was not until two decades later, in 2002 and 2003, that two separate suits were filed against Henson, accusing him of sexually abusing them as boys. Throughout the years, 33 victims reported that Henson had sexually assaulted them when they were under the age of 14. They received a total of $35M in the settlement by the Diocese of Sacramento.

Henson is included on the Diocese of Sacramento list of priests credibly accused of child sexual abuse. He is also included on the Diocese of Orange 2016 list.

Since 2002, his status as a priest, his 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento now have legal options due to a temporary change in the 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.