A Catholic priest from the Philippines, Fr. Dinualdo Destajo Gutierrez, who later became a Bishop in the Philippines, sexually abused a minor male child when the priest was visiting and serving at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Belle Harbor, Queens, New York, from approximately 1970-1971.
Fr. Dinualdo Gutierrez sexually abused a minor child parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Parish on approximately 6 occasions from approximately 1970 until 1971 when the boy was approximately 11-12 years old.
The Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, settled the claim against Fr. Gutierrez in the low six figures in 2021. The victim is represented by Attorney Mitchell Garabedian of Boston, MA
Bishop Gutierrez, who was the Bishop of Marbel in the Philippines for nearly four decades, died in 2019.
MEDIA RELEASE – SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022
What
A demonstration and leafleting announcing to the parishioners and citizens of Belle Harbor that a priest from the Philippines, Fr. Dinualdo Destajo Gutierrez, who became a Bishop in 1980, was credibly accused by a clergy sexual abuse victim of sexually abusing that victim from approximately 1970-1971 when the child was approximately 11-12 years old.
When
After and/or before the weekend Masses at St. Francis de Sales Parish
(Saturday, April 2, 2022 from 4:00 PM until 5:30 PM (before and after the 4:30 PM Mass)
Sunday, April 3, 2022 from 9:00 am until Noon (after the 8:00 AM Mass and before and after the 10:00 AM and Noon Masses). Available for media interviews during any of these times or by telephone.
Where
On the public sidewalk across from the entrance of St. Francis de Sales Church, 129-16 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Belle Harbor, The Rockaways, Queens, New York
Who
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Co-founder and President of Road to Recovery, Inc. a non-profit charity based in New Jersey that assists victims of sexual abuse and their families. He is also a former Newark Archdiocesan priest of 11 years and was a 23-year member of the Irish Christian Brothers. He is the former Assistant Dean in the School of Education at St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queens and a former resident of Rockaway Park, NY.
Why
It is common for priests throughout the world to travel great distances to serve in other countries, like the United States, especially during the summer months when parish priests from the USA take their vacations. Fr. Dinualdo Gutierrez came to Belle Harbor, Queens, New York, during at least one summer and while serving the parish of St. Francis de Sales in the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, he sexually abused a minor male child. Fr. Gutierrez sexually abused the male minor child at least 6 times during those summer months.
Contact
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Road to Recovery, Inc. – 862-368-2800
A Catholic priest from the Philippines, Fr. Dinualdo Destajo Gutierrez, who later became a Bishop in the Philippines, sexually abused a minor male child when the priest was visiting and serving at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Belle Harbor, Queens, New York, from approximately 1970-1971.
Fr. Dinualdo Gutierrez sexually abused a minor child parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Parish on approximately 6 occasions from approximately 1970 until 1971 when the boy was approximately 11-12 years old.
The Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, settled the claim against Fr. Gutierrez in the low six figures in 2021. The victim is represented by Attorney Mitchell Garabedian of Boston, MA
Bishop Gutierrez, who was the Bishop of Marbel in the Philippines for nearly four decades, died in 2019.
