RENO, Nev. (ChurchMilitant.com) – Parishioners and former parishioners at a parish in the Reno diocese are asking the bishop to deal with the pastor who has wreaked havoc on the faithful and caused many of them to leave.
Fr. Jose “Pepe” Sabarzo
Saint Paul’s Church in Winnemucca, Nevada, was a vibrant and thriving parish until Fr. Jose “Pepe” Sabarzo arrived in 2011. Since then, many have left. Some went to other parishes; some went to other religions, and some abandoned religion altogether.
Parishioners and former parishioners of St. Paul’s explained to Church Militant how parishioners at two other parishes physically removed Fr. Pepe before the Reno diocese’s former bishop sent him to Saint Paul’s.
They describe Fr. Pepe as a temperamental man who despises political conservatives, often says inappropriate or bizarre things, verbally abuses parishioners, constantly asks for money and has a penchant for hugging boys. They further revealed the priest brings his vitriol for conservatives to the pulpit.
Penchant for Hugging Boys
In 2015, Chris Esparza was only 15 when Fr. Pepe tried to hug him against his will.
Esparza, who was an altar boy at the time, was in the sacristy preparing for Mass when Fr. Pepe began to hug him. He indicated to the priest his discomfort with the hugging, but Fr. Pepe only hugged the boy more forcibly.
Esparza reported the incident to his mother. She explained to Fr. Pepe how she does not force her son to hug anybody, but the priest responded that this was normal behavior in Mexico, where he was raised. He insisted children should be made to hug adults regardless of their feelings.
The mother disagreed. Father Pepe then turned on the mother, behaving harshly and rudely towards her. He also began to spread a rumor that Chris was a homosexual.
Others confirmed that Fr. Pepe has a penchant for hugging boys. Esparza added that he never saw the priest hug a girl.
The Old and New Bishop
Bishop Randolph Calvo, originally ordained a priest for the archdiocese of San Francisco, was appointed the bishop of Reno in 2005. He resigned in 2021, citing health reasons.
Before his resignation in 2021, Calvo was exposed as one of the episcopal signatories on a letter that argued against any discussions about barring pro-abortion politicians from Communion at the U.S. bishops’ conference that summer. Other signatories included pro-homosexual cardinals like Blase Cupich of Chicago, Wilton Gregory of Washington and Joseph Tobin of Newark.
Bp. Randolph Calvo and Bp. Daniel Mueggenborg
Since around 2011, Bp. Calvo was inundated with letters and calls regarding Fr. Pepe’s reckless behavior, including from Esparza’s mother regarding the forcible-hugging incident with her son, to which the prelate said, “I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do; we don’t have enough priests.”
Father Pepe would even brag to the faithful that the bishop would never intervene, and, in fact, he never did.
But faithful Catholics who have suffered at the hands of Fr. Pepe are hopeful that the relatively new bishop will intervene.
Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg was appointed the bishop of Reno in 2021 after Calvo resigned.
Catholics in the Reno diocese have informed Bp. Mueggenborg of the situation with Fr. Pepe. They state the bishop is receptive to their reports. He further assures them that he is looking into the matter.
They eagerly await for the bishop to take action.