Notification Regarding Paulist Fr. Thomas Dove

November 1, 2018

Joint Statement of the Paulist Fathers and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles

We regret to advise our parish community of an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor female by Rev. Thomas Dove, C.S.P., a priest of the Paulist religious order, who was in ministry at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Los Angeles from 1965 to 1974.

The allegation has been investigated and determined to be credible by the Paulist review board. The allegation was initially received in 2014, and Fr. Dove was removed from ministry at that time. He remains out of ministry. In accordance with archdiocesan policy, the matter has been reported to law enforcement.

In addition to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Fr. Dove, age 84, has also served in the archdioceses of San Francisco, Boston, New York, Toronto, Chicago, as well as the dioceses of Salt Lake City and Memphis.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Paulist Fathers are committed to protecting children and helping to heal victims of abuse.

We are deeply sorry for the pain suffered by survivors of abuse due to actions of some members of clergy.

Any person who has any concerns or information is asked to contact Rev. John Behnke, C.S.P., vice president and safety officer of the Paulist Fathers, at (212) 757-8072, or via email at [email protected] or the Archdiocesan Office of Victims Assistance Ministry at (213) 637-7650.

At this time, please pray for all victims of sexual abuse by clergy, especially minors, that they may receive healing, justice, and peace.


UPDATE (10/2/2020): Thomas Dove, C.S.P., died of COVID-19 on October 2, 2020, at Victorian Post Acute Care Center in San Francisco. He was 86.