Corpus Christi Announces New Pastor

Fr. Tim Ramaekers has been named 's new pastor, effective July 1.

Bishop Tod Brown appointed Ramaekers, who is currently pastor of St. Joseph parish in Placentia, as the successor to Fr. Fred Bailey.

At a Mass on Sunday, Bailey called Ramaekers, a seminary classmate, "a good man, with a good heart."

A parish bulletin announcement about Ramaekers noted that he comes to Corpus Christi shadowed by a "false accusation" of sexual misconduct made in 2009.

The allegation was made by a man who claimed to have recovered repressed memories of sexual abuse by four priests and one layperson from 1978-86 at St. Justin Martyr, according to the bulletin and church documents.

Ramaekers was accused of an incident that allegedly took place in 1986. However, "the early investigation gave rise to wide discrepancies and factual inaccuracies," so he was "never removed from ministry nor placed on administrative leave," although announcements of the accusation were made at every parish where he had ever served, the bulletin said. “As the investigation continued it was determined that the accusations against Fr. Tim were false.”

In coming weeks, Ramaekers "will share more of his story/history and open himself to your scrutiny regarding this false accusation ... to earn your trust and certainty of his innocence," the bulletin said.

End of an Era

Last weekend, in Yorba Linda as part of the diocese's regular shuffling of priests.

Bailey began at Corpus Christi when it spun off from in Laguna Niguel in 1998. Parishioners have said Bailey's unconventional style and giving nature created more than a successful parish—it created a home.

“He will be missed and his heart and soul will be forever imprinted at that church," said parishoner Theresa Vinciguerra. “He is a hard act to follow. It makes me sad just to think about it. I hope [Ramaekers] has a good and fun personality.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story misspelled Fr. Ramaekers' last name.