Father Oscar Alexander “Paul” Rodriguez
Diocese of Richmond
Ordained: 1964
Removed: 1986
Assigned as follows:
- Holy Comforter (Charlottesville, VA)
- Holy Comforter School (Albemarle County, VA)
- Holy Trinity (Norfolk, VA)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Oscar Alexander “Paul” Rodriguez:
According to media reports, in July 1993, Father Oscar Alexander “Paul” Rodriguez was charged with two counts of sexually fondling an 11-year-old altar boy in the church rectory of Holy Comforter in Charlottesville from 1966 to 1967. The boy’s mother told church authorities. He was removed from ministry and sent for treatment, first to a Kentucky mental hospital, and then to the Servants of the Paraclete in New Mexico. At the time of the arrest, he was working as a clinical psychologist at the California Men’s Colony, a prison. He was never reinstated.
Father Rodriguez pleaded guilty and during trial admitted to “quite possibly” having had similar exchanges with seven or eight other boys. He was sentenced to 4 months in jail (with balance of five-year sentence suspended) and 10 years probation.
In September 2017, Father Rodriguez‘s name appeared publicly on the Archdiocese of Santa Fe’s list of clergy credibly accused of sex abuse of minors. In February 2019, his name also appeared publicly on the Diocese of Richmond’s list. His current whereabouts 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 Richmond. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Richmond, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Richmond 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.