Deceased Priest Among Those Accused Of Sexual Misconduct

PLEASANTON, CA — A deceased Catholic clergyman who served at a church in Pleasanton is among 263 in the Bay Area who were accused of sexual misconduct, according to a report released this week.

Fr. Edmond G. Cloutier, who was assigned to the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Pleasanton between 1965 and 1981, is accused of of sexually abusing four children in San Francisco. He died in 2003.

Jeff Anderson & Associates says, "This report is intended to raise awareness about the important issue of clerical sexual abuse, provide the public with vital information including assignment histories, and provide awareness to survivors. Assignment histories are approximations and were compiled from The Official Catholic Directory, bishopaccountability.org and media reports."

The law firm emphasizes that "the allegations should be considered just allegations and should not be considered proved or substantiated in a court of law."

Of the 263 members of the clergy:

• 135 are from the Archdiocese of San Francisco
• 95 from the Diocese of Oakland
• 33 from the Diocese of San Jose

Read the full report here.