August 9, 2018
Most Reverend Armando X. Ochoa, Bishop of the Diocese of Fresno, on August 8 spoke at the sentencing hearing for Rev Ignacio Villafan. Fr. Villafan was sentenced to five years probation.
To The Most Honorable Judge Gary Peden
Your Honor,
I want to express my appreciation for the opportunity to personally address the Court in the wake of the conviction of Rev. Ignacio Villafan, a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno. The impact of the crime committed is multifaceted. The breach of fiduciary responsibility of a pastor is more than just a monetary matter, it also carries with it a betrayal of a faith-based component where parishioners offer their financial support as a spiritual sacrifice intended to support the missionary activity of the church. Therefore, this criminality is twofold, legal and relational.
I feel that it is most important that Fr. Villafan accepts responsibility for his actions and the scandal that it has created. Once trust is broken, it is very difficult for it to be restored, yet not impossible. The first step must be acknowledgement of responsibility with an expressed commitment to make restitution that is consistently put into action. In light of the extenuating circumstances of this case, I agree with the Court that the family of Fr. Villafan needs to accept some measure of responsibility as well, since the evidence of this case has shown they were at least ancillary beneficiaries.
Another dimension of this issue involves Fr. Villafan’s responsibility to his fellow priests of the Diocese. My expectation is that he also acknowledges his wrongdoing to the clergy and not assume a “victim’s identity” as if he was somehow abandoned to circumstances beyond his control. Rather, I expect him to become a strong advocate for pastoral accountability in regards to the responsibilities that come with good stewardship in conformity with the law and our diocesan policies and procedures.
Fr. Villafan’s current status is the same as the day he was arrested on December 31, 2014. He is on paid administrative leave from all priestly duties pending the outcome of these proceedings. For a priest, being out of ministry for this extended period of time, along with the personal social impact it entails, has no doubt been very debilitating and may be considered sufficient.
However, in regards to sentencing, I respectfully request that Your Honor consider the steps of restorative justice in lieu of incarceration so that the faith community can heal, while Rev. Villafan works diligently to pay restitution with diocesan oversight – a requirement that will likely take him many, many years to accomplish. In addition, return to active ministry under direct supervision with no access to funds would also benefit those who are in need of pastoral care in a diocese that is experiencing a scarcity in the number of its clergy.
Again, I thank you for this opportunity to address the Court and your consideration of this request.
From Diocese of Fresno website.
August 9 CalCatholic story on Father Ignacio Villafan: Tulare priest gets probation for stealing $300,000 from parish.
What would the local faith community. Recommend? A poll taken,under outside aministration , would be required in my court to consider any lighter sentence.
Does Fr. Viilfan have access to sufficient personal assets to make restitution? If he makes the average priest’s salary, it may be impractical to complete restitution in his lifetime.
Yeah, just want the people want, a felonious priest with a weak bishop. Watch out for continuing issues with this priest, and yes, I will say I told you so.
The priest did not grab all $300,000 at once, he had plenty of time between each act of theft to consider his actions. Clearly, he wanted the dough and with a light little slap on the wrist, he will probably do other bad stuff. You will be right with the “I told you so”.
$300,000 and he gets probation? The language I’d like to use is inappropriate for this venue.
I think both the criminal priest and his immature bishop should both be kicked out of the Church– and go dig ditches somewhere, for their jobs! And the criminal thief -“priest” should be sent to jail! Just like other similar criminals, in that judge’s courtroom! No special favors!
So another clericalist speaks out. What will it take to get the Bishops, our Teachers, our Shepherds, to condemn criminals regardless if they are priests or not… Especially if they are priests.
It is so ridiculous that he did not serve any time and as the Catholic it’s embarrassing.