Fr. Jerome M. Henson, O.P.
1977: Ordained
Assignments:
- 1977-1981: St. Dominic’s Church, Benicia, CA
- 1981-1982: St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral
- 1982-1983: Military Reserve Chaplain
- 1983-1988: St. Raymond of Penyafort Priory, Santa Ana, CA
- 1988-1989: St. Vincent Ferrer House, Riverside, CA (Dominicans)
- 1990-1992: St. Anthony Claret, Anaheim, CA
- 1992-1996: St. Angela Merici, Brea, CA
- 1996-2002: St. John the Baptist Church, Costa Mesa, CA
- 2002-2003: Inactive Leave
- 2003-2011: Administrative Leave
- 2011-2014: Unknown
- 2014-2017: Administrative Leave
Notes: In 1981, four years after being ordained, Fr. Jerome Henson was caught in a compromising position in a graveyard with a 13-year-old boy by a patrolling policeman. The boy and his family did not wish to press charges, so no criminal action was pursued. Following the event, Fr. Henson was immediately transferred to Reno, where he stayed for a few years before being sent to Orange. It was not until two decades later, in 2002, that a suit was filed against Fr. Henson. Following the initial suit, two more men came forward accusing Fr. Henson of sexually abusing them as boys. Two of Fr. Henson’s accusers would be included in a larger settlement including a total of 33 victims. He also worked in the Diocese of Oakland at St. Albert’s Priory in Oakland. Since 2002, his status as a priest, his whereabouts and whether he has access to children are unknown.