Fr. Leonardo Mateo: Accused of Sexual Misconduct With Minors

Fr. Leonardo Mateo

  • 1956: Ordained
  • 1956-1959: Cathedral, Tagbilaran City, Philippines
  • 1959-1960: St. Vibiana’s; St. Anastasia, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1960-1965: Greenpoint Hospital, Brooklyn, NY
  • 1965-1975: Diocesan Procurator, Diocese of Tagbilaran, Philippines
  • 1976-1977: Unknown
  • 1978-1982: Immaculate Conception, Elmhurst, IL
  • 1982-1984: St. Petronille, Glen Ellyn, IL
  • 1984: Diocese of Richmond, VA
  • 1985: Hines Veterans’ Hospital, Chicago, IL
  • 1986: Unknown
  • 1987-1989: Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Waukegan, IL
  • 1990-2003: Unknown
  • 2004: Died

According to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, at least one survivor has come forward alleging child sexual abuse by Fr. Leonardo Mateo in approximately 1959, while he worked at St. Anastasia in Los Angeles. Fr. Mateo has been named in at least three child sexual abuse lawsuits. Fr. Mateo was an extern priest visiting from the Philippines who worked briefly in the Archdiocese. Fr. Mateo was included in the Diocese of Joliet’s list of priests with credible allegation(s) of sexual abuse of minors made against them. Two allegations of child sexual abuse were made in 1983 and 1991 against Fr. Mateo, while he worked in the Diocese. According to the Diocese, he left in 1984 and later returned to the Archdiocese of Cebu in the 1990s, where he died in 2004. Fr. Mateo was included in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ list of priests accused of sexual misconduct involving minors.

Detailed Clergy Assignment Record: Fr. Mateo Leonard