Roman Catholic Diocese Warns of Fake Bishops, Priests in California

St. Joachim Catholic Church in Costa Mesa, Calif., on Jan, 17, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

A Roman Catholic diocese in California has warned churchgoers to be alert for imposters pretending to be Catholic clergymen and charging “exorbitant fees” for blessings and sacraments.

In an Oct. 20 alert, the Diocese of Stockton urged churches and churchgoers in the city of Modesto to be on the lookout for people “purporting to be Spanish-speaking Catholic bishops and priests” but who actually “engage in fraudulent activities related to the sacraments and sacramentals.”