Fr. John K. Rogers – Diocese of Santa Rosa

On Behalf of | Dec 28, 2020 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father John Rogers

Diocese of Santa Rosa

Ordained: 1976

Died: 1995

Assignment History:

  • 1976: St. Bernard (Eureka, CA)
  • 1988: Cardinal Newman Center at Humboldt State University (Arcata, CA)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father John Rogers:

Fr. John Rogers was ordained a priest in 1976, who served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa. According to media reports, he was known as one of Diocese’s most serious offenders. In 1976, he reportedly  sexually abused a 15-year-old boy in the rectory of St. Bernard Church in Eureka, CA. Fr. Rogers was briefly removed from his position as campus minister at Humboldt State University after the Diocese received the report in 1988. He was then reinstated after a psychiatric evaluation.

The accuser renewed his complaint in 1995 when he heard Rogers continued to work with students. The Diocese sent Fr. Rogers to Belgium to study as he was a noted religious scholar, but ordered the priest to return to the United States to undergo another psychiatric evaluation. Instead, Rogers committed suicide. His note declared his innocence but said the pain and embarrassment was too much for him to handle. Rogers’ accuser died of drug abuse about six years after the priest’s death.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa 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 toll-free at 888-283-9922  [email protected] to discuss your options today.