Monsignor William Spain
Diocese of San Bernardino
Ordained: 1956
Removed:1985
Died: 1993
Assigned as follows:
- 1956: St. Bernardine’s (San Bernardino, CA)
- 1956: Sacred Heart (Ocean Beach, CA)
- 1957-1961: College for Men (San Diego, CA)
- 1962-1963: University of San Diego (San Diego, CA)
- 1964-1969: St. Mark (San Marcos, CA)
- 1970-1984: St. James Church (Solana Beach, CA)
- 1985-1986: Sacred Heart Church (Coronado, CA)
- 1987-1993: Retired
- 1993: Holy Trinity (Honolulu, HI)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Monsignor William Spain:
Msgr. William Spain had a long and distinguished career. He founded St. Mark’s parish in San Marcos and was named a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, an honorary Roman Catholic order. He was the University of San Diego’s first vice president and was a member of its board of trustees from 1973 until 1984.
According to media reports, in 1985, he was accused of having a cocaine addiction and engaging in a six-year sexual relationship with a young man. It was a public scandal and he was sent to a treatment center for three months and was then reassigned to a post in Coronado, California. He retired in June 1986 due to “ill health” and moved to Hawaii, where he served as an assistant pastor at Holy Trinity Church. In March 2007, his name was included in the Diocese of San Diego’s list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor. His personnel file released was released in October 2010.
Spain died in July 1993.
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.