ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC PARISH - HIGHLAND, CA

CONFIDENTIAL CONFESSIONAL ARCHIVE

Archive Period: May 1995 - June 2010 | Accessed:
⚠️ SACRED CONFESSIONAL SEAL ⚠️
CANONICAL LAW PROTECTED COMMUNICATIONS
EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES DISCLOSURE ONLY

CANONICAL LAW EXCEPTION - CIC Canon 983 §2

Disclosure Authority: His Excellency, Bishop Michael Rodriguez

Legal Basis: "Clear and present danger to innocent life" - Vatican Congregation approval

Moral Theology Consultation: Sacred Apostolic Palace, July 23, 2010

Sub secreto sacramentali - Under sacramental secrecy

CONFESSIONAL RECORDS - PATTERN ANALYSIS

Parish Priest: Father William Santos (1989-2010)

Parish Location: St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1425 Highland Avenue

Confession Schedule: Saturday 4:00-5:30 PM, Sunday 8:00-8:30 AM

Investigation Relevance: Multiple penitents describing ritual activities

CONFESSIONAL RECORD #1 - May 18, 1995

Time: Saturday, 4:47 PM

Penitent: [Adult Male, Approximate age 35-40]

Confession (Partial Transcript):

"Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. It has been... many months since my last confession. I have done things that I cannot speak of openly. Things that serve a higher purpose, but that your church would not understand."

"I have taken photographs of sacred moments. I have preserved what needs to be remembered. The old ways are returning, Father, and someone must document the transition."

"Three have already joined the eternal harvest. More will follow when the time is right. I am not seeking forgiveness - I am offering explanation."

Father Santos' Record: Penitent spoke with unusual calm about activities suggesting violence. Refused specific details. Did not seek absolution in traditional sense. Left before receiving penance. Unable to identify - voice artificially altered.

CONFESSIONAL RECORD #2 - October 31, 1995

Time: Sunday, 8:15 AM

Penitent: [Same voice pattern as previous - confirmed by voice analysis]

Confession (Partial Transcript):

"The work is nearly complete, Father. Seven years of preparation, seven souls prepared for transformation. The harvest moon approaches and with it, the culmination of ancient promises."

"Your Christ spoke of dying and rising again. This is no different. The old gods demand their tribute, and I have been chosen as their instrument."

"I will rest now for many years. But the seeds have been planted. When the children who dream of dark forests grow to adulthood, they will remember what they witnessed. They will carry the knowledge forward."

Father Santos' Record: Final appearance of this penitent. Spoke of completion and extended dormancy. Reference to "children who dream" matches current investigation reports. Voice recording preserved despite canonical prohibition due to content threatening public safety.

CONFESSIONAL RECORD #3 - June 15, 2010

Time: Saturday, 5:20 PM

Penitent: [Female, Approximate age 30-35, Local resident]

Confession (Transcript):

"Father, I think someone has been in our house. My daughter keeps talking about the man with the camera who comes to her room at night. I found candles in our basement that I didn't put there."

"I'm scared to call the police because what if they don't believe me? What if I'm going crazy? But Father, I know someone is watching us. I can feel eyes on me when I'm alone."

"My husband says it's my imagination, but I've been having these dreams... dreams about being in a forest with people in robes. And there's always that man with the camera."

Father Santos' Record: Parishioner I recognize - ███████ family from Forest View Drive area. Advised immediate police contact. Provided sanctuary blessing for home protection. Called child protective services with her permission.

PATTERN ANALYSIS - CONFESSIONAL THEMES (1995-2010):

RECURRING CONFESSIONAL ELEMENTS:

FATHER SANTOS' PASTORAL ASSESSMENT:

"In 35 years of priesthood, I have never encountered such consistent themes across unrelated confessions. The 1995 confessions spoke of completion and rest, yet the 2010 confessions suggest renewed activity affecting the same community."

"The individual who confessed in 1995 demonstrated no remorse, only explanation. This troubles me deeply as it suggests a person who believes their actions serve a divine purpose. Such conviction makes them extremely dangerous."

"The parishioners affected in 2010 are faithful families with children. Their terror is genuine, and their detailed accounts match elements that were never made public from the 1995 incidents."

INVESTIGATIVE CORRELATION:

Timeline Matching:

Voice Analysis Results:

CANONICAL AND LEGAL DOCUMENTATION:

ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITY FOR DISCLOSURE:

Bishop's Declaration: "The sanctity of the confessional must yield to the protection of innocent life when clear and present danger exists."

Vatican Consultation: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith confirmed extraordinary circumstances

Moral Theology Justification: Canon 1398 exception for protection of vulnerable populations

FATHER SANTOS' STATEMENT:

"I have wrestled with this decision for weeks. The seal of confession is sacred, but so is human life. The 1995 confessions were not true confessions seeking forgiveness, but declarations of intent to continue harmful actions."

"The 2010 confessions from frightened families revealed a pattern of ongoing victimization. My obligation to protect the vulnerable supersedes my obligation to protect someone who uses the sacrament to taunt rather than seek reconciliation."

"I pray for forgiveness for this necessary breach of canonical tradition, and I pray for the souls of all those affected by these terrible crimes."

CHAIN OF CUSTODY - CONFESSIONAL RECORDS:

1995-10-31 - Final confession from primary subject recorded

2010-06-15 - Pattern of victim confessions noted by parish

2010-07-20 - Bishop consulted regarding disclosure authorization

2010-07-23 - Vatican approval obtained for extraordinary disclosure

2010-07-25 - Records provided to federal investigators

2010-07-26 - Voice analysis completed by FBI linguistics unit

2010-07-28 - Correlation with other evidence confirmed

⚠️ These records contain sacred confessional communications ⚠️

Disclosure made under extraordinary canonical circumstances only

Parish Liaison: Father Santos | Diocesan Legal: ██████