Robert J. Donat
Ordination: 1966
Assignments:
- 1967: St. Kieran’s, El Cajon, CA
- 1968-1969: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, San Ysidro, CA
- 1970-1974: St. Anne, San Bernardino, CA
- 1975-1976: St. Adelaide Church, Highland, CA
- 1977-1979: St. Bernardine, San Bernardino, CA
- 1980: St. Anne, San Bernardino, CA
- 1981-1993: Aquinas High School, San Bernardino, CA
- 1994-2006: Our Lady of Lourdes, Montclair, CA
- 2007: Retired
- 2008-2018: Unknown
Notes: Fr. Robert Donat worked at various parishes and schools throughout San Diego and San Bernardino counties for four decades, until his retirement in 2007. In 1973, one of the former students allegedly reported Fr. Donat’s sexual abuse to the Diocese of San Bernardino, but no action was taken. The Diocese of San Bernardino acknowledges being aware of the allegations as of 2010. In 2011, Fr. Donat was accused of sexually abusing at least five former students. Fr. Donat was stripped of all priestly duties when the diocesan review found the accusations against him credible. No criminal charges have been brought against Fr. Donat due to the statute of limitations. Fr. Donat was included in the Diocese of San Bernardino’s list of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse. According to the Diocese of San Bernardino, Fr. Donat was permanently banned from ministry in the Diocese and was sentenced by the Vatican to a life of prayer and penance. His current whereabouts and whether he has access to children are unknown.