Ordination: Unknown

Notes: 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 prenovitiate 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.

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