George DeCosta Laicization Announcement – August 31, 2020, 2:35 p.m.
Bishop Larry Silva announces that Mr. GEORGE DE COSTA Jr., who previously served as a priest of the Diocese of Honolulu, ordained in 1964, was laicized by Pope Francis on July 29, 2020. The then-Father De Costa retired in 2002, but in 2009, when an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor was made against him, Bishop Silva permanently restricted him from all sacred ministry, a decision confirmed by the Holy See. Since then, several additional accusations have been made against Mr. De Costa. Being now laicized, he is no longer a member of the clergy and may not function as such anywhere in the world.
We pray for all victims of sexual abuse by clergy, and we pray God’s healing for them and their loved ones.