Vinyard accused of molestation in lawsuit By DARREN SIMON, Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 21, 2004 2:42 PM PST
The Rev. Barry Vinyard, a former pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Calexico and more recently part of the Imperial Valley Catholic Chaplaincy, has been named in a lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of San Diego.
The lawsuit alleges Vinyard molested a youth between 1978 and 1979 while a priest at Our Lady of Guadalupe. The man who has brought the allegation is listed only as "John Doe."
Vinyard's attorney, Eduardo Rivera of Calexico, released a brief statement through the San Diego diocese in which he denies any such allegation on behalf of his client. Rivera states Vinyard "denies emphatically any accusations of abuse" and that Vinyard would litigate the accusations "at all costs."
The lawsuit, filed by the law firm of Kiesel Boucher & Larson of Beverly Hills, states the diocese neglected to take action that would have prevented harm to the youth. The lawsuit names the diocese as a defendant. Vinyard, while named in the suit, is not a defendant.
Vinyard is one of a number of priests, most of whom are either dead or have left the priesthood, named in what is expected to be more than 100 lawsuits against the San Diego diocese. Vinyard was one of the few active priests named.
Attorney Anthony DeMarco of Kiesel Boucher & Larson said some 750 lawsuits have been or will be filed against the dioceses of San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino.
The lawsuits have been filed over the last year under the auspices of Senate Bill 1779, which suspended the statute of limitation on sex abuse laws.
DeMarco said the lawsuits that cover the Southern California area will be coordinated within the Los Angeles Superior Court and each is expected to be part of ongoing mediation negotiations.
The allegation against Vinyard was released as part of the lawsuit against the San Diego diocese filed in late December.
As a result, on Dec. 29, the diocese suspended Vinyard from his duties as a priest, said diocese Chancellor Rodrigo Valdivia. Vinyard, upon his suspension, sought retirement, which was granted, Valdivia said. Either way, his suspension remains in place, Valdivia added.
Rivera said this morning in respect to the mediation efforts in Los Angeles that Vinyard will fight the allegation against him. He said through mediation Vinyard will seek a dismissal of the allegation.
"That is the only resolution we will accept in mediation," Rivera said, adding the diocese is aware of Vinyard's plan to fight the allegation and has given him its support.
In an interview this morning, Vinyard said he was notified in February by the bishop of the San Diego diocese that an allegation had been made against him.
"I was shocked," Vinyard said, adding that his record "is absolutely clean."
Vinyard said he will not settle.
"I will insist we have a dismissal with prejudice," he said, adding if such a dismissal does not occur he will adjudicate the allegation against him.
"What can we lose at this point?" Vinyard asked. "I'm, in effect, ruined."
Vinyard said he would like to go back to serving as a priest, and while he is not sure he would be able to so in the Valley due to the stigma of facing an allegation, he would like to serve somewhere.
Vinyard said he served three assignments in the Valley.
"I love the Valley. I love the people," he said. "Now I'm sitting on my butt. I can't function. I'm a non-person at this point."
There are other local priests named in lawsuits.
One is former Rev. Edward Anthony Rodrigue, who served in El Centro and Calexico along with other areas in the state. Rodrigue already is serving a prison sentence for a molestation conviction.
The late Rev. John Daly, who served in Holtville, also is named in a lawsuit.
Another pastor who has since died, the Rev. Robert Koerner, has reportedly faced allegations of molestation, but there was no information as to whether he has been named in a lawsuit. Koerner served at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Calipatria.
Bishop Robert Brom, head of the San Diego diocese, has sent a letter to parishioners of the church asking that anyone with allegations step forward and inform the diocese.
Vinyard was ordained in 1975. He served at Our Lady of Guadalupe from 1975 to 1977 and from 1986 to 1991.
Valdivia said in 2001 Vinyard was directed by the church to be a chaplain at the Imperial County jail and juvenile hall. He also has been a chaplain at Calipatria State Prison.
With the allegations against Vinyard and other priests, Valdivia said Brom is committed to finding a "pastoral resolution" to claims, whether there is pending litigation or not.
That "pastoral resolution" would come through meetings with the bishop and diocese officials and could include a financial component.
As to actions against any active priests, Valdivia said that is a separate and independent matter to be addressed.
Valdivia pointed out the accusations that have come forward relate to alleged incidents of misconduct dating as far back as 40 years.
Valdivia added the diocese is conducting a study to determine the extent, nature and scope of the problems that may have existed in the past. He said the goal is to learn from what has occurred to help the church now.
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