The Office of Pastoral Outreach welcomes you.
In January, 2006, important structural changes took place regarding the review board created in 1994 by the Catholic religious Order of Friars Minor of the Province of St. Barbara (Franciscans), headquartered in Oakland, California. The board had been established to address clergy sexual abuse in the Order by overseeing the treatment and supervision of offenders and ministering to victims/survivors and their families. In 2006 this board was retired and a new structure was set in place.
As a result of these changes, the Office of Pastoral Outreach was created to help best serve those who have been hurt by this tragedy. The Office of Pastoral Outreach has been established to offer help to all victims and survivors. Its function is to assist all who have been wounded. It’s goal is to facilitate healing.
The Office of Pastoral Outreach is staffed by the Pastoral Outreach Coordinator (POC), Angelica Jochim, MFT, a lay licensed psychotherapist. She is available to anyone requesting therapy, support, assistance and/or information.
Events:
Upcoming Event: Olan Horne to Speak in Santa Barbara, June 20 and 21, 2008.Click here for more information.
Press Release
From the Franciscan Province of St. Barbara
Oakland, California
Regarding
Louis Ladenburger
June 4, 2007
On Thursday, May 31, 2007, the Province of St. Barbara first learned from the press of Mr. Louis Ladenburger’s arrest for sexual battery. Mr. Ladenburger had been a Franciscan priest. He left the Order and priesthood in March 1996.
Mr. Ladenburger was ordained a Franciscan priest in 1963. He was treated twice in the 1980’’s for inappropriate professional behavior and relationships. In both cases the treatment facilities recommended his return to ministry after treatment.
In 1993, with heightened concern and new awareness of abuse issues, the Province sent Mr. Ladenburger for further psychological review. As a result of this review, he was told that his ministry would be severely restricted if not totally removed, and he would be under the supervision of the Province’s Independent Response Team (IRT) that handles sexual abuse.. He refused this option and asked for a leave of absence to consider whether he wished to remain in the Order and the priesthood. He formally asked the Vatican to release him from his religious vows and the priesthood. This was granted in March 1996.
Any individual who wishes to discuss any issues regarding Mr. Ladenburger while he was a member of the Franciscan Order may contact the Province’s Pastoral Outreach Coordinator, Angelica Jochim, at 1-800-770-8013.
