Br. Tom Thing, O.F.M.
Ordination: Unknown
Assignments:
- 1974-1978: St. Anthony Seminary School, Santa Barbara, CA
- 1979-1981: Unknown
- 1982-1983: Invested/Simple Vows
- 1983: St. Paul of the Shipwreck, San Francisco, CA; pastoral and urban ministry, Las Vegas, NV
- 1984: Unknown
- 1985: 7th Street Formation House (location unknown)
- 1986: Unknown
- 1987: Solemn Vows; San Damiano, Catechetical University
- 1988-1989: Unknown
- 1990: St. Francis, Provo, UT
- 1991-1993: Unknown
- 1994: Old Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside, CA
- 1995: Leave of absence
- 1996-2001: University of San Diego, Campus Ministry, San Diego, CA
- 2001: Health sabbatical
- 2002: Unknown
- 2003: Old Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside, CA
- 2004: Dispensed from solemn vows, departed Franciscan Friars
- 2005-2018: Unknown
Br. Tom Thing was a member of the Franciscan Friars of California. Allegations of child sexual abuse by Br. Thing surfaced when he was a pre-novitiate candidate at St. Anthony’s Seminary in Santa Barbara, California. Br. Thing was then transferred to the Diocese of Las Vegas where allegations of abuse again surfaced when Br. Thing worked at St. Christopher’s Elementary School in North Las Vegas in the 1980s. At least one survivor has come forward with allegations of child sexual abuse during this time. In 2003, he returned to Old Mission San Luis Ray where he was paired with a guardian to monitor his behavior. In 2004, Br. Thing was officially released from the Order. From 2010 to 2011, it was reported that Br. Thing was the director of student life at Rosemead Buddhist University. While at Rosemead Buddhist University, Br. Thing allegedly had a relationship with a younger student. Br. Thing was named in civil lawsuits filed in 1995, 2004, and 2011. In 2017, it is believed Br. Thing was living in Whittier, California. Br. Thing’s current whereabouts and whether he has access to children are unknown.