Fr. Lynn Richard Caffoe: Accused of Sexual Misconduct With Minors

Fr. Lynn Richard Caffoe

Ordained: 1971
Assignments:
  • 1964-1971: Student, St. John’s Seminary, Camarillo, CA
  • 1971-1975: St. Callistus, Garden Grove, CA
  • 1975-1982: Our Lady of Peace, Sepulveda/North Hills, CA
  • 1982-1986: St. Bede the Venerable, La Canada/Flintridge, CA
  • 1986-1991: St. James, Redondo Beach, CA
  • 1991: Restricted Ministry, Location Unknown
  • 1991-1992: St. Luke Institute, Suitland, MD
  • 1991: St. Maria Goretti, Long Beach, CA
  • 1993: St. Luke Institute, Suitland, MD
  • 1994-1997: Unknown
  • 1998-2001: United States Mission, San Diego, CA; Portland, OR; Modesto, CA
  • 2001-2003: United States Mission, Salinas, CA
  • 2004-2005: Unknown
  • 2006: Laicized, Location Unknown
  • 2007-2008: Unknown
  • 2009: Died

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles knew as early as 1975 that Fr. Caffoe sexually abused altar boys at his first parish assignment. It is believed that Fr. Caffoe sexually abused at least 15 victims during his career as a priest. Fr. Caffoe has been accused of abusing children in every parish, including St. Callistus in what is now the Diocese of Orange. He was removed from ministry in May 1991 and was sent for treatment at St. Luke Institute from 1991 to 1992. His name was included on the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ 2004 list of priests accused of sexual misconduct involving minors. Fr. Caffoe reportedly resided and/or worked in the Dioceses of San Diego, Portland, and Monterey after leaving the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Fr. Caffoe was laicized in January 2006 and was named in a civil lawsuit that was settled in 2007. Fr. Caffoe’s personnel files were released in January 2013.

Detailed Clergy Assignment Record: Fr. Lynn Richard Caffoe