Fr. Michael French – Diocese of San Diego

| Sep 15, 2020 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father Michael French

Diocese of San Diego

Ordained: 1964

Died: 1995

Assigned as Follows:

  • 1964: Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Queens, NY)
  • 1964-1973: St. Anselm (Brooklyn, NY)
  • 1973: Doctoral studies (San Diego, CA)
  • 1975: Benedictine Convent of Perpetual Adoration (San Diego, CA)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Michael French:

Father Michael French was ordained a priest in 1964, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of San Diego. He came to San Diego in 1973 to pursue doctoral studies at the California School of Professional Psychology. According to media reports, in 2003, the diocese was alerted that the priest had abused a boy in 1980. He was a diocesan director for Worldwide Marriage Encourage, when he met the victim at his parent’s house. There were several instances of abuse, but the victim did not pursue charges in court due to a settlement made with the diocese at the time.

Father French continued to work in ministry, and was not named publicly until September 2018, when the Diocese of San Diego released a list of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse. The only deceased priests who were included in the list were those who had multiple accusations against them. He was one of eight priests who were added to the list by the diocese.

Michael French died in 1995.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of San Diego 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 San Diego 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.