Father Paul Gill
Diocese of San Bernardino
Ordained: 1966
Removed: 2002
Assigned as follows:
- 1967-1971: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Calexico, CA)
- 1972-1977: Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Lakeside, CA)
- 1978-1981: St. Joan of Arc (Blythe, CA)
- 1982: On Leave
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Paul Gill:
According to media reports, in a civil lawsuit filed in September 2002, Fr. Paul Gill was accused of molesting a 14-year old boy in 1977, once in the rectory of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lakeside, California, and another time while on a trip to New Hampshire. The victim did not tell his parents until 2002. They then notified the pastor of their parish and the investigation began. Gill denied any wrongdoing.
In a statement, Gill’s accuser said “It is regrettable that the current legal action needs to take place. The Catholic Church has failed in nurturing and protecting children entrusted to its care.
“I am pursuing legal action first to communicate to the church that it can no longer put up with sexual abuse of children by priests. Second, the priest in question needs to be prevented from having access to children and causing more harm,” the statement said.
Gill retired in 1998, and in 2002, amid abuse allegations, he was barred from ministry. Another man filed suit in June 2003, alleging sexual abuse in 1975. The alleged abuse occurred one night when he was staying at the rectory when he was 16 years old.
In March 2007, Gill’s name was included in the Diocese of San Diego’s list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor. 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 San Bernardino. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in San Bernardino, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of San Bernardino 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.