Father Louis Ladenburger
Ordained: 1963
Leave of Absence: 1993
Laicized: 1996
Assignment History:
- 1964-1965: St. Mary of the Assumption (Stockton, CA)
- 1964-1965: St. Benedict of the Moor Center (Stockton, CA)
- 1965-1967: St. Mary’s High School (Phoenix, AZ)
- 1967-1968: Salem Catholic High School (Salem, OR)
- 1968-1971: Holy Cross Retreat House (Mesilla Park, NM)
- 1972-1974: St. Mary of the Assumption (Stockton, CA)
- 1972-1974: St. Benedict the Moor Center (Stockton, CA)
- 1975-1979: Mary Queen of Heaven (Sprague, WA)
- 1980-1984: St. George’s (Seattle, WA)
- 1984-1985: St. Francis of Assisi (Sacramento, CA)
- 1985-1988: St. John’s (Overton, NV)
- 1988-1989: Christ the King Church (Reno, NV)
- 1990-1992: Franciscan Renewal Center (Scottsdale, AZ)
- 1992-1993: St. Mary’s Basilica (Phoenix, AZ)
- 1992-1993: St. Joan of Arc (Phoenix, AZ)
- 1993: St. Mary’s High School (Phoenix, AZ)
- 2006-2007: Elk Mountain Academy (Clark Fork, ID)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Louis Ladenburger:
Once a Franciscan Friar, Fr. Louis Ladenburger also worked as a licensed marriage and family counselor and a chemical dependency therapist. Ladenburger was “treated” twice in the 1980s for what the Franciscans called “inappropriate professional behavior and relationships” with his patients. He was allowed to return to ministry both times.
In 1993, Ladenburger’s Order restricted his clergy privileges after a third psychological evaluation prompted by a “heightened concern and a new awareness of abuse issues,” according to documents in his file. He later refused the restrictions and went on a leave of absence. Ladenburger left the Order in 1996, according to published reports.
In September of 2006, Ladenburger was hired as a therapist by an Idaho school for high-risk teenage boys. A year later, he was fired after two boys accused him of sexual abuse, according to news reports. According to media reports, Ladenburger admitted to abusing one of the boys and was arrested and charged with three counts of sexual battery of a minor. In a plea agreement, he pled guilty to one count of felony sexual misconduct and was sentenced up to five years in prison.
Ladenburger’s name appears on the Archdiocese of Seattle list of accused clergy as well as Las Cruces Diocese’s list. The Diocese of Las Vegas, the Diocese of Sacramento list, the Diocese of Stockton, and the Santa Barbara Province of Franciscans Friars also included him on their respective lists. A new accusation was made in May of 2018, alleging sexual abuse of a minor in 1973. It was reported to the Diocese of Stockton and stemmed from Landenburger’s time at St. Mary of the Assumption.
Ladenburger is believed to be living in Bakersfield, CA, at the age of 83.
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.