BishopAccountability.org
 
 

Disclosures Regarding Clergy Sexual Abuse of Minors

Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Date: December 5, 2013; Updated February 17, 2014; Updated May 22, 2014

[Cached May 23, 2014]

http://www.archspm.org/disclosures-regarding-clergy-sexual-abuse-minors/

Below is a list of ordained ministers of the Catholic Church who previously had assignments in the archdiocese, and who have had credible claims against them of sexually abusing a minor in our archdiocese. All of these claims have been substantiated, which means that there is reasonable grounds to believe that the reported abuse occurred. Most of the reported incidents of abuse occurred between the mid-1950s and the 1980s, and most of these men have been previously identified in media reports. All of these men have been permanently removed from ministry, and most of them have been out of ministry for a decade or more.

Clergy who have committed acts of sexual abuse have caused insufferable harm to victims, families, parishioners, and the Church. We grieve and pray for all who have been harmed and are committed completely to combating acts of sexual abuse and doing all we can to ensure that these horrors are never repeated in the Church.

For more information, read a Q&A on the disclosure of names.

Priests with credible claims against them of sexual abuse of a minor

Notes regarding disclosure: Included in this disclosure are clergy members from other dioceses or religious orders who at one time worked in the archdiocese and were accused of engaging in sexual abuse of minors in our archdiocese, to the extent we have reliable and sufficient information to determine whether the claim was credible and could be substantiated. These disclosures will indicate that the individuals are non-diocesan clergy. We may not be able to report on the present status of such clergy members because the archdiocese does not always have access to such information since they are under the authority of their respective diocese or religious order. We do not have sufficient information to make a disclosure regarding priests from outside our archdiocese who may have served here at some point in time but committed child sexual abuse elsewhere.

Also, please note: Despite our best efforts to provide accurate information, our listings at this time may include some errors or omissions. The archdiocese requests that anyone with additional information or corrections regarding clergy members that are or should be subject to disclosure, to contact Greta Sawyer, the archdiocese’s Victim Assistance Coordinator at 651-291-4497.

   •  Thomas Adamson - Permanently removed from ministry from our archdiocese in 1985.
   •  John Brown - Permanently removed from ministry in 2002.
   •  Cosmas Dahlheimer - Permanently removed from ministry (date unknown, died in 2004).
   •  Gilbert DeSutter - Permanently removed from ministry in 2003.
   •  Gilbert Gustafson - Permanently removed from ministry in 2002.
   •  Louis Heitzer - Permanently removed from ministry in 1969 (died in 1969).
   •  Rudolph Henrich - Permanently removed from ministry in 1976 (died in 1992).
   •  Francis Hoefgen - Permanently removed from ministry in 2002.
   •  Richard Jeub - Permanently removed from ministry in 2002.
   •  Dennis Kampa - Permanently removed from ministry in 2003.
   •  Robert Kapoun - Permanently removed from ministry in 2002.
   •  Jerome Kern - Permanently removed from ministry in 2002.
   •  Lee Krautkremer - Permanently removed from ministry in 2002.
   •  Ronan Charles Liles - Permanently removed from ministry in 1985 (believed to have died sometime before 2006).
   •  Alfred Longley - Permanently removed from ministry in 1968 (died in 1974).
   •  Brennan Maiers - Permanently removed from ministry in 2002.
   •  Timothy McCarthy - Permanently removed from ministry in 1991.
   •  John McGrath - Permanently removed from ministry in 1995 (died in 1995).
   •  Paul Palmitessa - Permanently removed from ministry in 2012.
   •  Joseph Pinkosh - Permanently removed from ministry in 1992.
   •  Francis Reynolds - Permanently removed from ministry in 1987 (died in 1988).
   •  Richard Skluzacek - Permanently removed from ministry in 2005 (died in 2012).
   •  Michael Stevens - Permanently removed from ministry in 2002.
   •  Thomas Stitts - Permanently removed from ministry in 1985 (died in 1985).
   •  Robert Thurner - Permanently removed from ministry in 2002.
   •  Clarence Vavra - Permanently removed from ministry in 2003.
   •  Joseph Wajda - Permanently removed from ministry in 2003.
   •  Raymond Walter - Permanently removed from ministry in 2003.
   •  Curtis Wehmeyer - Permanently removed from ministry in 2012.
   •  Robert Zasacki - Permanently removed from ministry in 2002 (died in 2008).

Disclosures As a Result of Comprehensive File Review

The following names were released February 17, 2014 as a result of a comprehensive file review by an outside national firm. For more information about this disclosure, please see this statement from the archdiocese.

   •  Robert Blumeyer - Permanently removed from ministry in 1983 (died in 1983).
   •  Gerald Funcheon - Permanently removed from ministry in 1993.
   •  Kenneth Gansmann - Permanently removed from ministry from our archdiocese in 1960 (died, date unknown).
   •  Thomas Gillespie - Permanently removed from ministry in 1996.
   •  Michael Kolar - Permanently removed from ministry in 1991.
   •  Kenneth LaVan - Retired from full time ministry in 1998. Removed from all active ministry December 2013.
   •  Francisco (Fredy) Montero - Permanently removed from ministry from our archdiocese in 2007.
   •  James P. Stark - Permanently removed from ministry in 1986 (died in 1999).
   •  Harold Walsh - Permanently removed from ministry in 2005.

Additional Disclosures As a Result of Comprehensive File Review

The following names were released May 22, 2014 as a result of a comprehensive file review by an outside national firm. For more information about this disclosure, please see this release from the archdiocese.

   •  Stephen Baker - Permanently removed from ministry in 2000 (died 2013)*
   •  Edmund Frost - Left archdiocese 1975, unknown when permanently removed from ministry (died sometime before 2006)*
   •  Robert Ruglovsky - pled guilty to criminal charges 1987, permanently removed from ministry in 1987 (died 2006)**
   •  Justin Weger - permanently removed from ministry in the archdiocese in 1972 (died 2005)
   •  Francis Zachman - permanently removed from ministry in 1983 (died 1983)

Clergy included on John Jay Commission list with unsubstantiated claims

On Monday, December 2, we disclosed above the names of 29 of the 33 priests on the list provided to the John Jay Commission in 2004 by the archdiocese. We have been able to determine that those 29 priests had substantiated claims asserted against them of sexually abusing a minor. We have not determined that the other four priests had substantiated claims against them of sexually abusing a minor. In fact, we were unable to verify any claim in two of the four cases. Nevertheless, in deference to a recent order from the Ramsey County District Court, we are listing these four priests with further explanation on each.

   •  Eugene Corica - No longer in ministry as of 1995.
   •  Robert Loftus - No longer in ministry as of 1977.
   •  Patrick Joseph Ryan - No longer in ministry as of 1965 (died in 1965).
   •  Roger Vaughn - Permanently removed from ministry in 2000.


[Note: On the archdiocesan website, each of the following assignment histories is a separate page. We have consolidated them on this page with the lists above. The Q&A and the Statement are also linked from this page to separate pages on the archdiocesan site. We have included those items on this page below.]

 

Priests with credible claims against them of sexual abuse of a minor

Thomas Adamson

Date of birth: 7/12/1933

Date of ordination: 1958

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Diocese of Winona, 1958-1975;
  • St. Leo the Great, St. Paul, 1975-1976;
  • St. Boniface, St. Bonifacius, 1976;
  • St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Paul Park, 1976-1979;
  • Immaculate Conception, Columbia Heights, 1979-1980;
  • Risen Savior, Apple Valley, 1981-1985;
  • Returned to Diocese of Winona, 1985

Diocese or religious order: Diocese of Winona

Date removed from ministry: 1985

Current location: Rochester, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry from our archdiocese

 

John Brown

Date of birth: 7/2/1920

Date of ordination: 1948

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, St. Timothy, Maple Lake, 1948-1949;
  • Associate priest, Sacred Heart, Robbinsdale, 1949-1950;
  • Associate priest, St. John, St. Paul, 1950-1951;
  • Associate priest, Church of St. Joseph, Hopkins, 1951-1956;
  • Chaplain, U.S. Army, 1956-1958;
  • Associate priest, St. Mary, LeCenter, 1958-1960;
  • Temporary administrator, St. Mary, LeCenter, 1960;
  • Administrator, St. Mary, Waverly, 1960-1963;
  • Pastor, St. Mary, Waverly, 1963-1964;
  • Pastor, St. Anthony of Padua, Minneapolis, 1964-1966;
  • Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Marysburg, 1966-1970;
  • Pastor, Sacred Heart, Faribault, 1970-1978;
  • Pastor, St. Peter Claver, St. Paul, 1978-1981;
  • Pastor, Annunciation, Hazelwood, 1981-1990

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2002

Current location: Maplewood, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

Cosmas Dahlheimer

Date of birth: 11/20/1908, deceased

Date of ordination: 1936

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • St. John’s Abbey, 1936-1969;
  • Associate priest, St. Augustine, St. Cloud, 1969-1973;
  • Associate priest, St. Bernard, St. Paul, 1973-1978;
  • Returned to St. John’s Abbey, 1978

Diocese or religious order: Order of St. Benedict, St. John’s Abbey

Date permanently removed from ministry: Unknown (died 2004)

Current location: Deceased

Current status: Died in 2004

 

Gilbert DeSutter

Date of birth: 4/28/1928

Date of ordination: 1964

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, St. Mark, St. Paul, 1954-1956;
  • Associate priest, St. Mary, St. Paul, 1956;
  • Associate priest, Annunciation, Minneapolis, 1956-1964;
  • Associate priest, St. Peter, Richfield, 1964-1968;
  • Spiritual director, St. John Vianney Seminary, St. Paul, 1968-1973;
  • Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Faribault, 1973 -1976;
  • Pastor, St. William, Fridley, 1976-1983;
  • Pastor, St. Michael, Prior Lake, 1983-1993;
  • Resigned with limited ministry, 1993-2003

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2003

Current location: Mesa, Ariz.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

Gilbert Gustafson

Date of birth: 4/18/1951

Date of ordination: 1977

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, St. Mary of the Lake, White Bear Lake, 1977-1982;
  • Administrator, St. Mary of the Lake, White Bear Lake, 1978;
  • Associate director, Continuing Education and Spiritual Growth for Priests, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, 1982;
  • Student, Catholic University of America, Washington D.C., 1982-1983;
  • In residence, St. Matthew, St. Paul, 1983-1988;
  • In residence, St. Peter, Mendota, 1988-2002 (unassigned);
  • Resigned, 2002

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2002

Current location: St. Paul, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

Louis Heitzer

Date of birth: 7/15/1914, deceased

Date of ordination: 1942

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, Most Holy Trinity, Winsted (New Ulm) 1942-1944;
  • Associate priest, St. Andrew, Fairfax (New Ulm), 1944;
  • Associate pastor, Assumption, St. Paul, 1944-1945;
  • Associate priest, Holy Redeemer, Marshall (New Ulm), 1945;
  • Associate priest, St. Mary, Sleepy Eye (New Ulm), 1945-1948;
  • Associate priest, St. Joseph, Waconia, 1948;
  • Associate priest, St. Aloysius, Olivia (New Ulm), 1948-1950;
  • Administrator, Sacred Heart, Franklin (New Ulm), 1950-1954;
  • Pastor, St. Joseph, Rosen, 1954-1955;
  • Pastor, St. Michael, Gaylord (New Ulm), 1955-1956;
  • Pastor, St. Luke, Clearwater, 1956-1958;
  • Pastor, St. Scholastica, Heidelberg, 1958-1966;
  • Associate priest, St. Richard, Richfield, 1966-1967

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 1969

Current location: Deceased

Current status: Died in 1969

 

Rudolph Henrich

Date of birth: 4/3/1906, deceased

Date of ordination: 1933

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, St. James, St. Paul, 1933-1937;
  • Associate priest, Most Holy Trinity, Winsted, 1937-1938;
  • Associate priest, St. Mark, Shakopee, 1938;
  • Chaplain, State Training School for Boys, Red Wing, 1938-1942;
  • Chaplain, U.S. Navy, 1942-1946;
  • Chaplain, State Training School for Boys, Red Wing, 1946-1952;
  • Chaplain, U.S. Forces, 1952-1954;
  • Pastor, St. Boniface, Stewart (New Ulm), 1954-1957;
  • Pastor, St. Margaret Mary, Minneapolis, 1957-1976

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 1976

Current location: Deceased

Current status: Died in 1992

 

Francis Hoefgen

Date of birth: 8/1/1950

Date of ordination: 1979

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • St. Boniface, Cold Spring, 1980-1984;
  • Associate priest, St. Boniface, Hastings, 1985-1992;
  • Confessor, Villa Maria Center, Frontenac, 1985-1994

Diocese or religious order: Order of St. Benedict, St. John’s Abbey

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2002

Current location: Columbia Heights, Minn.

Current status: Left order and laicized in 2012

 

Richard Jeub

Date of birth: 2/21/1940

Date of ordination: 1966

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, St. Joseph, Hopkins, 1966-1967;
  • Associate priest, Our Lady of Grace, Edina, 1967-1970
  • Associate priest, St. Mark, St. Paul, 1970-1976;
  • Associate priest, Christ the King, Minneapolis, 1976-1978;
  • Chaplain, Methodist Hospital, St. Louis Park, 1978-1982;
  • Chaplain, Fairview Southdale Hospital, Edina, 1978-1982;
  • Pastor, St. Kevin, Minneapolis, 1981-1990;
  • Associate priest, Sacred Heart, Robbinsdale, 1996-1997;
  • Associate priest, Sacred Heart/St. Lawrence, Faribault, 1997-2000;
  • Associate priest, St. Rose of Lima, Roseville, 2000-2002;
  • Retired, 2002

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2002

Current location: Crosby, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

Dennis Kampa

Date of birth: 5/31/1932

Date of ordination: 1968

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, Immaculate Conception, Faribault, 1968-1969;
  • Associate priest, St. Mark, St. Paul, 1969-1972;
  • Associate priest, St. Joseph, West St. Paul, 1972-1974;
  • Associate priest, Holy Family, St. Louis Park, 1974-1976;
  • Associate priest, Holy Trinity, South St. Paul, 1976-1980;
  • Pastor, St. Vincent de Paul, Osseo, 1980-1989;
  • Administrator, St. Michael, Pine Island, 1989-1990;
  • Administrator, St. Michael, Kenyon, 1989-1990;
  • Pastor, St. Michael, Pine Island, 1990-2002;
  • Retired, 2002

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2003

Current location: Victoria, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

Robert Kapoun

Date of birth: 12/1/1938

Date of ordination: 1964

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, Holy Redeemer, Montgomery, 1964-1967;
  • Associate priest, St. Kevin, Minneapolis, 1967-1971;
  • Associate priest, St. Raphael, Crystal, 1971-1974;
  • Chaplain, Home of the Good Shepherd, St. Paul, 1974-1976;
  • Medical leave, 1976-1977;
  • Pastor, St. Patrick, Cedar Lake, 1977-1984;
  • Administrator, St. Catherine, Spring Lake, 1977-1984;
  • Pastor, St. Scholastica, Heidelberg, 1984-1996;
  • Administrator, St. Joseph, Lexington, 1984-1996;
  • Pastor, St. Thomas, St. Thomas, 1991-1996;
  • Resigned, 1996;
  • Retired, 1998

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2002

Current location: Cold Spring, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

Jerome Kern

Date of birth: 3/20/1941

Date of ordination: 1966

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, St. Mark, St. Paul, 1967-70;
  • Associate priest, Our Lady of Grace, Edina, 1970-1975;
  • Administrator, Our Lady of Grace, Edina, 1975-1976;
  • Co-pastor, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Minnetonka, 1976-1994;
  • Sabbatical, 1994-1995 (in residence at St. Paul Seminary);
  • Temporary administrator, St. Dominic, Northfield, 1995;
  • Associate priest, St. Peter, Forest Lake, 1995-2002

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2002

Current location: Edina, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

Lee Krautkremer

Date of birth: 8/28/1940

Date of ordination: 1966

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, Immaculate Conception, Faribault, 1966;
  • Associate priest, St. Peter, North St. Paul, 1966-1967;
  • Associate priest, St. Margaret Mary, Golden Valley, 1967-1968;
  • Associate priest, St. Michael, St. Michael, 1968-1970;
  • Associate priest, St. Michael, West St. Paul, 1970-1975;
  • Associate priest, St. Peter, Forest Lake, 1975-1978;
  • Pastor, St. Joseph, Lino Lakes, 1978-1984;
  • Pastor, St. Michael, St. Michael, 1984-1987;
  • Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Minneapolis, 1987-1989;
  • Chaplain, North Memorial Hospital, Robbinsdale, 1987-2002

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2002

Current location: Minneapolis, Minn.

Current status: Laicized in 2006

 

Ronan Charles Liles

Date of birth: 9/6/1942

Date of ordination: 1969

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • St. Albert the Great, Minneapolis, 1969-1978;
  • Dominican Fathers provincial office, Chicago, 1978-1979;
  • Dominican Fathers and Brothers, Southern Dominican Province, New Orleans, 1979- 1982;
  • Leave of absence

Diocese or religious order: Order of Preachers (Dominicans)

Date permanently removed from ministry: Dismissed from order and dispensed from vows in 1985

Current location: Believed to have died sometime before 2006

Current status: Believed to have died sometime before 2006

 

Alfred Longley

Date of birth: 9/17/1913, deceased

Date of ordination: 1939

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, Immaculate Conception, Faribault, 1939-1942;
  • Military chaplain, U.S. Army, 1942-1952;
  • Pastor, St. Richard, Richfield, 1952-1961;
  • Chaplain, Riverside Medical Center, Minneapolis, 1962-1964;
  • Pastor, St. Jude of the Lake, Mahtomedi, 1964

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 1968

Current location: Deceased

Current status: Died in 1974

 

Brennan Maiers

Date of birth: 4/27/1936

Date of ordination: 1963

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Pastor, St. Bernard, St. Paul, 1983-1990

Diocese or religious order: Order of St. Benedict, St. John’s Abbey

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2002

Current location: Collegeville, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

Timothy McCarthy

Date of birth: 6/26/1946

Date of ordination: 1973

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, St. Leo, St. Paul, 1973-1974;
  • Associate priest, All Saints, Lakeville, 1974-1977;
  • Administrator, St. Andrew, Elysian, 1977-1982;
  • Associate priest, St. Peter Claver, St. Paul, 1982-1984;
  • On special assignment, 1982-1984;
  • Associate priest, Guardian Angels, Lake Elmo, 1984;
  • Associate priest, St. Joseph, Lino Lakes, 1984-1986;
  • Pastor, Holy Redeemer, Maplewood, 1986-1991;
  • Resigned, 1991

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 1991

Current location: Believed to be residing in Oakdale, Minn., or St. Paul, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

John McGrath

Date of birth: 4/13/1931, deceased

Date of ordination: 1957

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, Nativity, St. Paul, 1957-1965;
  • Associate priest, St. Helena, Minneapolis, 1965-1969;
  • Associate priest, St. Andrew, St. Paul, 1969-1970;
  • Administrative staff, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, 1970-1976;
  • Pastor, Sacred Heart, Robbinsdale, 1976-1995

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 1995

Current location: Deceased

Current status: Died in 1995

 

Paul Palmitessa

Date of birth: 1/18/1931

Date of ordination: 1956

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, Cathedral of St. Paul, 1956-1968;
  • Pastor, Holy Redeemer, St. Paul, 1968-1979;
  • Pastor, St. Paul, Zumbrota, 1979-1982;
  • Administrator, St. Mary, Bellechester, 1979-1982;
  • Diocese of San Diego, 1982-1988;
  • Excardinated, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis; incardinated, Diocese of San Diego, 1988

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and Diocese of San Diego

Date permanently removed from ministry: Retired in 1998, limited ministry until 2012

Current location: Santee, Calif.

Current status: No longer in ministry, (determined by the Diocese of San Diego)

 

Joseph Pinkosh

Date of birth: 10/27/1943

Date of ordination: 1969

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, St. Joseph, Hopkins, 1969-1972;
  • Associate priest, St. Wenceslaus, New Prague, 1972-1974;
  • Associate priest, Holy Cross, Minneapolis, 1974-1981;
  • Pastor, St. Patrick, Shieldsville, 1981-1992

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 1992

Current location: Columbia Heights, Minn.

Current status: Left ministry in 1992

 

Francis Reynolds

Date of birth: 9/5/1922, deceased

Date of ordination: 1955

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, Maternity of Mary, St. Paul, 1955-1957;
  • Associate priest, St. Patrick, St. Paul, 1957-1964;
  • Associate priest, Visitation, Minneapolis, 1964-1966;
  • Associate priest, St. Margaret Mary, Golden Valley, 1966-1968;
  • Pastor, St. Francis Xavier, Buffalo, 1968-1985;
  • Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Minneapolis, 1985-1986;

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 1987

Current location: Deceased

Current status: Died in 1988

 

Richard Skluzacek

Date of birth: 8/10/1932, deceased

Date of ordination: 1957

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, St. Stanislaus, St. Paul, 1957-1964;
  • Administrator, St. Stanislaus, St. Paul, 1964-1966;
  • Associate priest, St. Stephen, Anoka, 1966-1967;
  • Associate priest, Most Holy Redeemer, Montgomery, 1967-1968;
  • Administrator, Most Holy Trinity, Veseli, 1968-1973;
  • Administrator, St. Nicholas, New Market, 1970-1974;
  • Pastor, Most Holy Trinity, Veseli, 1974;
  • Pastor, Corpus Christi, Roseville, 1974-1978;
  • Pastor, St. Joseph, Hopkins, 1978-1990;
  • Chaplain, Veterans Medical Center, Minneapolis, 1990-1998;

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2005

Current location: Deceased

Current status: Died in 2012

 

Michael Stevens

Date of birth: 12/24/1954

Date of ordination: 1980

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, St. Michael, Prior Lake, 1980-1982;
  • Associate priest, Epiphany, Coon Rapids, 1982-1988;
  • In residence, St. Mark, St. Paul, 1988;
  • In residence, St. Adalbert, St. Paul, 1988-2003
  • Resigned, 2002

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2002

Current location: Believed to be residing in St. Paul, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

http://www.archspm.org/thomas-stitts/

 

Thomas Stitts

Date of birth: 5/5/1935, deceased

Date of ordination: 1962

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, St. Matthew, St. Paul, 1962-1965;
  • Associate priest, Our Lady of Grace, Edina, 1965-1966;
  • Associate priest, Guardian Angels, Hastings, 1966-1970;
  • Associate priest, Blessed Sacrament, St. Paul, 1970;
  • Administrator, St. Leo, St. Paul, 1970-1973;
  • Pastor, St. George, Long Lake, 1973-1980;
  • Pastor, St. John the Baptist, New Brighton, 1980-1985

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 1985

Current location: Deceased

Current status: Died in 1985

 

Robert Thurner

Date of birth: 11/25/1925

Date of ordination: 1951

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, Most Holy Trinity, St. Louis Park, 1951-1963;
  • Administrator, Most Holy Trinity, St. Louis Park, 1959;
  • Associate priest, St. Luke, St. Paul, 1963-1967;
  • Pastor, St. Michael, Prior Lake, 1967-1970;
  • Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Hopkins, 1970-1983;
  • Associate priest, St. Joseph, West St. Paul, 1983-1986;
  • Temporary administrator, St. Edward, Bloomington, 1986;
  • Pastor, St. Therese, St. Paul, 1986-1991

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2002

Current location: Maplewood, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

Clarence Vavra

Date of birth: 3/13/1939 (Age 74)

Date of ordination: 1965

Cleric’s prior assignments in archdiocese:

  • Associate priest, St. Rose of Lima, Roseville, 1965-1969;
  • Associate priest, St. Philip, Minneapolis, 1969-1970;
  • Associate priest, St. Peter, North St. Paul, 1970-1971;
  • Associate priest, Guardian Angels, Hastings, 1971-1972;
  • Absent, 1972-1973;
  • Associate priest, St. Matthew, St. Paul, 1973-1975;
  • Diocese of Rapid City, 1975-1976;
  • Associate priest, Holy Spirit, St. Paul, 1976-1977;
  • Pastor, Sacred Heart Rush City, 1977-1978;
  • Administrator, St. Gregory, North Branch, 1977-1978;
  • Associate priest, St. Wenceslaus, New Prague, 1979;
  • Associate priest, St. Jerome, Maplewood, 1979-1981;
  • Pastor, Holy Redeemer, Maplewood, 1981-1986;
  • Unassigned, 1986-1987;
  • Temporary administrator, St. Genevieve, Centerville, 1987;
  • Pastor, St. Nicholas, New Market, 1987-1992;
  • Temporary administrator, St. Philip, Minneapolis, 1992-1993;
  • Pastor, St. Philip, Minneapolis, 1993-1996;
  • Sabbatical, 1996-1997;
  • Associate priest, Nativity of Mary, Cleveland, 1997;
  • Associate priest, Most Holy Redeemer, Montgomery, 1997-2003;
  • Associate priest, St. Patrick, Shieldsville, 1997-2003;
  • Retired, 2003

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2003

Current location: New Prague, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

Joseph Wajda

Date of birth: 2/9/1947

Date of ordination: 1973

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, St. Raphael, Crystal, 1973-1977;
  • Associate priest, Immaculate Conception, Columbia Heights, 1977-1981;
  • Administrator, Immaculate Conception, Columbia Heights, 1980-1981;
  • Associate priest, St. Rose of Lima, Roseville, 1982-1986;
  • Temporary administrator, St. Joseph, Waconia, 1986;
  • Temporary administrator, Sts. Peter and Paul, Loretto, 1986;
  • Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Minneapolis, 1986-1987;
  • Pastor, St. Andrew, St. Paul, 1987-1989;
  • Associate priest, Blessed Sacrament, St. Paul, 1990-1991;
  • Student, Catholic University of America, 1992-1994;
  • Judicial Vicar, Metropolitan Tribunal, St. Paul, 1996-2002

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2003

Current location: Minneapolis, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

Raymond Walter

Date of birth: 7/28/1915, deceased

Date of ordination: 1941

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • St. Alphonsus, Brooklyn Center, 1964-1978, 1981-1989

Diocese or religious order: Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists)

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2003

Current location: Deceased

Current status: Died in 2003

 

Curtis Wehmeyer

Date of birth: 9/28/1964

Date of ordination: 2001

Cleric’s prior assignments in archdiocese:

  • Associate pastor, St. Joseph, West St. Paul, 2001-2006;
  • Parochial administrator, Blessed Sacrament, St. Paul, 2006-2009;
  • Pastor, St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Paul, 2009-2011;
  • Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, St. Paul, 2009-2012

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2012

Current location: Minnesota Correctional Facility – St. Cloud, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry. Incarcerated

 

Robert Zasacki

Date of birth: 5/13/1940, deceased

Date of ordination: 1967

Cleric’s prior assignments in archdiocese:

  • Entered archdiocese from Archdiocese of Newark, 1979;
  • St. Bridget, Lindstrom, 1982-1983;
  • St. Joseph, Lino Lakes, 1983-1984:
  • Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul, 1984-1985;
  • Administrator, St. Peter, Forest Lake, 1985-1987;
  • Incardinated, 1987;
  • Pastor, St. Peter, Forest Lake, 1987-1989;
  • Pastor, St. Peter, Delano, 1989-1995;
  • Pastor, St. Joseph, Delano, 1989-1995;
  • Pastor, Sacred Heart, Robbinsdale, 1995-2001;
  • Pastor, St. Joseph, Hopkins, 2001-2002

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and Archdiocese of Newark, N.J.

Date permanently removed from ministry: 2002

Current location: Deceased

Current status: Died in 2008

 

Disclosures As a Result of Comprehensive File Review

The following names were released February 17, 2014 as a result of a comprehensive file review by an outside national firm. For more information about this disclosure, please see this statement from the archdiocese.

 

Robert Blumeyer

Date of birth: 6/11/1922

Date of ordination: 3/19/1956

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate Pastor, St. Boniface, Hastings, 1956-65
  • Associate Pastor, St. Augustine, St. Cloud, 1956-1967
  • Associate Pastor, St. Benedict, Bronx, N.Y., 1968-1969
  • St. Bartholomew, Wayzata, 1969-1973
  • St. Boniface, Hastings, Minn., 1973-1978
  • St. Benedict, Avon, 1978-1982
  • Pastor, St. Catherine, Farming, Minn., 1982-1983

Diocese or religious order: OSB (St. John’s Abbey)

Date removed from ministry: 1983

Current location: Deceased

Current status: Died in 1983

 

Gerald Funcheon

Date of birth: 7/22/1938

Date of ordination: 5/22/1965

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Outside of Archdiocese, 1965 – 1971
  • St. Odilia, Shoreview, 1971-1974
  • St. Stephen, Anoka, 1974-1975
  • Outside Archdiocese, 1975-1985
  • Associate Pastor, St. Stephen, Anoka, 1985
  • Left Archdiocese, 1986

Diocese or religious order: Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross (Crosiers); Diocese of Lafayette, IN

Date removed from ministry: 1993

Current location: Dittmer, Mo.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

Kenneth Gansmann

Date of birth: Unknown

Date of ordination: Unknown

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Pastor, St. John’s of Union Hill, 1949-1959
  • Returned to Chicago, 1960

Diocese or religious order: OFM

Date removed from ministry: 1960

Current location: Deceased

Current status: Died, date unknown

 

Thomas Gillespie

Date of birth: 7/24/1937

Date of ordination: 5/30/1964

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Church of St. Bernard, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1964-1978
  • St. Mary Church, Stillwater, Minnesota, 1978-1986
  • Left Archdiocese, 1986

Diocese or religious order: OSB (St. John’s Abbey)

Date removed from ministry: 1996

Current location: Collegeville, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

Michael Kolar

Date of birth: 10/1/1943

Date of ordination: 5/24/1969

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Assistant Director, Catholic Youth Center, St. Paul, 1969
  • Associate Pastor, St. Raphael, Crystal, 1969 – 1970
  • Assistant Director/Director, Catholic Youth Center, 1970 – 1988
  • Appointed to Latin American Apostolate, 1990-1991
  • Resigned, 8/14/1991
  • Dispensed, 12/29/1992

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date removed from ministry: 1991

Current location: St. Paul, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry and laicized in 1993

 

Kenneth LaVan

Date of birth: 9/23/1932

Date of ordination: 2/23/1958

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate Priest, St. Michael, St. Paul, 1958-1964
  • Associate Priest, St. Anne, Minneapolis, 1964-1965
  • Associate Priest, St. Raphael, Crystal, 1965-1970
  • Vicarius Oeconomus, Guardian Angels, Oakdale, 1970-1973
  • Pastor, Guardian Angels, Oakdale,  1973-1983
  • Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, Lake St. Croix Beach, 1983-1985
  • Pastor, St. Richard, Richfield, 1986-1987
  • Co-Pastor, St. Joseph, Lino Lakes, 1987-1998
  • Associate Priest, St. Joseph, Lino Lakes, 1989-1998
  • Retired, 1998

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date removed from ministry: Retired from full time ministry in 1998; Removed from all active ministry December 2013

Current location: Oakdale, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry

 

Francisco (Fredy) Montero

Date of birth: 5/24/1967

Date of ordination: 1996

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Parochial Vicar, San Simon, Guatemala, Ecuador, 1996 – 2002
  • Chaplain to Hispanic Community, Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, Minneapolis, Minn., 2002 – 2007

Diocese or religious order: Diocese of Guaranda, Ecuador

Date removed from ministry: 2007

Current location: Believed to be residing in Guaranda, Ecuador

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry from our archdiocese

 

James P. Stark

Date of birth: 7/14/1936

Date of ordination: 2/22/1964

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  •     Assistant Pastor, St. Stephen, Anoka, 1964-1967
  •     Assistant Pastor, St. Andrew, St. Paul, 1967-1969
  •     Assistant Pastor, Nativity, Bloomington, 1969-1973
  •     Associate Pastor, Holy Spirit, St. Paul, 1973-1974
  •     Associate Pastor, St. Peter, Richfield, 1974-1977
  •     Pastor, St. Michael, Farmington, 1977-1986
  •     Leave of absence, 1986

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date removed from ministry: 1986

Current location: Deceased

Current status: Died in 1999

 

Harold Walsh

Date of birth: 4/20/1934

Date of ordination: 9/25/1960

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Mission priest, Ireland, 1960-1963
  • Davenport, Iowa, 1963-1965
  • Holy Redeemer Church, Detroit, Mich., 1965-1967
  • St. Michael, Chicago, Ill., 1967-1969
  • Assistant Pastor, St. Pius X, White Bear Lake, 1969-1970
  • Assistant Pastor, Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Paul, 1970-1971
  • Assistant Pastor, St. Stephen, Minneapolis, 1970-1974
  • Pastor, St. Ann, LeSueur, 1974-1979
  • Assigned Outside the Archdiocese, 1979-1980
  • Pastor, Holy Trinity, South St. Paul, 1980-1985
  • Pastor, St. Henry, Monticello, 1985-1991
  • Leave of absence, 1991-1994
  • Retired, 2001

Diocese or religious order: Ordained Redemptorist Fathers (Ireland); Incardinated in 1972 into Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date removed from ministry: 2005

Current location: Monticello, Minn.

Current status: Permanently removed from ministry and laicized in 2012

 

 

Additional Disclosures As a Result of Comprehensive File Review

 

Stephen Baker*

Date of birth: 1951

Date of ordination: n/a (religious brother)

Date the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis posted this cleric’s name on a list of those with claims of substantiated abuse against them: May 22, 2014

Prior assignments:

  • St Patrick, Inver Grove Heights 1977-1981
  • Left the archdiocese in the early 1980s

Diocese or religious order: Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular

Date no longer in ministry: 2000

Current location: Deceased 2013

Current status: Deceased 2013

* Not a member of the clergy, however this man was a religious brother with a parish assignment within the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

 

Edmund Frost*

Date of birth: Unknown

Date of ordination: n/a (religious brother)

Date the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis posted this cleric’s name on a list of those with claims of substantiated abuse against them: May 22, 2014

Prior assignments:

  • St. Albert the Great, Minneapolis 1964-1975
  • Left the archdiocese in 1975

Diocese or religious order: Dominican Order

Date no longer in ministry: Unknown (Deceased sometime before 2006)

Current location: Deceased sometime before 2006

Current status: Deceased sometime before 2006

* Not a member of the clergy, however this man was a religious brother with a parish assignment within the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

 

Robert Ruglovsky**

Date of birth: 2/10/1937

Date of ordination: 1961

Date the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis posted this cleric’s name on a list of those with claims of substantiated abuse against them: May 22, 2014

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • St. John the Baptist, Minneapolis (Byzantine rite parish)

Diocese or religious order:

Date no longer in ministry: In May 1987, pled guilty to six counts of criminal sexual conduct in Hennepin County District Court in 1987; sentenced to 1 year in workhouse and 15 years’ probation; permanently removed from ministry in 1987

Current location: Deceased  2006

Current status: Deceased 2006

**Ruglovsky was ordained in the Byzantine rite, but may have received faculties to provide ministry within the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis as well as within the Eparchy of Parma.

 

Justin Weger

Date of birth: 1925

Date of ordination: 1952

Date the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis posted this cleric’s name on a list of those with claims of substantiated abuse against them: May 22, 2014

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Outside the archdiocese
  • In residence, St. Stephen, Minneapolis, 1970-1971
  • In residence, St. Mary of the Lake, White Bear Lake, 1971
  • Native American ministry within the Archdiocese 1972
  • In residence, Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis, 1972

Diocese or religious order: Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross (Crosiers)

Date no longer in ministry: The archdiocese removed him from ministry in 1972; the Crosiers permanently removed him from all ministry in 1976

Current location: Deceased 2005

Current status: Deceased 2005

 

Francis Zachman

Date of birth: 1925

Date of ordination: 1951

Date the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis posted this cleric’s name on a list of those with claims of substantiated abuse against them: May 22, 2014

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Pastor, Assumption, Richfield, 1973-1981
  • Administrator, St. Albert, Albertville, 1981
  • In residence, St. George, Long Lake, 1981
  • Associate Pastor, St Casimir, St. Paul, 1982

Diocese or religious order: Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular

Date no longer in ministry: 1983 (deceased)

Current location: Deceased 1983

Current status: Deceased 1983

 


Clergy included on John Jay Commission list with unsubstantiated claims

On Monday, December 2, we disclosed above the names of 29 of the 33 priests on the list provided to the John Jay Commission in 2004 by the archdiocese. We have been able to determine that those 29 priests had substantiated claims asserted against them of sexually abusing a minor. We have not determined that the other four priests had substantiated claims against them of sexually abusing a minor. In fact, we were unable to verify any claim in two of the four cases. Nevertheless, in deference to a recent order from the Ramsey County District Court, we are listing these four priests with further explanation on each.

Eugene Corica

Date of birth: 7/31/1933

Date of ordination: 1960

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, St. Patrick, Inver Grove Heights, 1974-1979;
  • Pastor, St. Bridget, Minneapolis, 1979-1983;
  • Associate pastor, St. Raphael, Crystal, 1983-1985;
  • Temporary administrator, Holy Childhood, St. Paul, 1985;
  • Administrator, Holy Family, St. Louis Park, 1985-1987;
  • Pastor, Holy Family, St. Louis Park, 1987-1995

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date no longer in ministry: 1995

Current location: Minneapolis, Minn.

Current status: Left ministry in 1995

Eugene Corica was accused of having sexual relationships with adult women. No claim of sexual abuse of a minor was made or substantiated against Corica. We have not been able to determine why he was included in the list provided to the John Jay Commission.

 

Robert Loftus

Date of birth: 12/22/1930

Date of ordination: 1963

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Assistant pastor, St. Stephen, Anoka, 1963-1966;
  • Assistant pastor, Christ the King, Minneapolis, 1966-1967;
  • Assistant pastor, St. Mary’s Basilica, 1967-1971;
  • Pastor, St. Frances Cabrini, Minneapolis, 1971-1977
  • Leave of absence, 1977

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date no longer in ministry: 1977

Current location: Coon Rapids, Minn.

Current status: Laicized in 1977

Robert Loftus was credibly accused of sexual misconduct with a “young woman” in the early 1970’s. We do not have knowledge of the complainant’s age at the time of the misconduct. An independent investigator was hired to review the file and advise on whether Loftus should be disclosed as a “substantiated claim.” To date, the investigator has not determined whether a claim of sexual abuse of a minor was or can be substantiated. The investigation is continuing, and our disclosures will be updated when the investigation is completed.

 

Patrick Joseph Ryan

Date of birth: 12/2/1892, deceased

Date of ordination: 1919

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Associate priest, St. Mary, St. Paul, 1919;
  • Associate priest, St. Clement, Minneapolis, 1919-1921;
  • Associate priest, St. Stephen, Minneapolis, 1921-1922;
  • Associate priest, Immaculate Conception, Faribault, 1922-1933;
  • Pastor, St. John, Ortonville (New Ulm), 1933-1943;
  • Pastor, Guardian Angels, Hastings, 1943-1965

Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Date no longer in ministry: 1965

Current location: Deceased

Current status: Died in 1965

Patrick Joseph Ryan was accused posthumously in 2002 of sexually abusing a minor in 1961, and was consequently included in the list provided to the John Jay Commission. The Archdiocese subsequently met with the complainant and hired a private investigative firm. The firm investigated the matter through more than two dozen conversations and face-to-face meetings with the complainant as well as interviews with more than a dozen persons thought to have information relevant to the claim against Ryan. The private investigative firm reported that “this investigation found no credible, corroborating or supporting information which would validate [the] claim of sexual abuse.” The claim of sexually abusing a minor was never substantiated.

NOTE: We are aware of at least one other Patrick Ryan who is or has been a member of the Catholic clergy serving in our archdiocese at some point in time. For this reason, we wish readers to take great care in identifying this individual so that there may be no confusion about identity.

 

Roger Vaughn

Date of birth: 6/16/1948

Date of ordination: 1977

Cleric’s prior assignments:

  • Crosier Monastery and Seminary, Onamia, 1977-1980. Never assigned to ministry or residence in the archdiocese

Diocese or religious order: Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross (Crosiers)

Date no longer in ministry: 2000

Current location: Yonkers, N.Y.

Current status: Left the Crosier order in 2001

We have not been able to determine why Roger Vaughn was included in the list provided to the John Jay Commission. There is no record of Vaughn being assigned to ministry or residence in this Archdiocese. He was a priest of the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross (Crosiers) until he left the order in 2001. We do not have knowledge of any claims that Vaughn sexually abused a minor in this archdiocese.

 

Q&A on the disclosure of names

Questions and answers were provided by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Q. Why are you choosing to disclose the names of offending priests now?
A. Appropriate disclosure is critically important if we are to do all that we can to keep children safe, help victims of abuse heal, and regain the trust and confidence of our communities. We believe this is an essential step in regaining trust and confidence. This decision on disclosure will take us to a new level of accountability and — most importantly — we believe these actions will further serve our primary goal of protecting minors.

Q. Will the names be posted online? If so, where?
A. Yes. Information about clergy members who have credible claims of sexual abuse of a minor that have been substantiated are posted on our website at www.archspm.org. Right at the top of our home page, you’ll see a sidebar that says “Disclosure – Clergy Sexual Abuse.”

Q. You initially said you would only disclose the names of living priests currently residing in the archdiocese. Why did you decide to expand your disclosure by including the names of the deceased priests as well as priests living outside the archdiocese?
A. Consistent with the paramount goal of protecting children, the archdiocese is including the names of clergy members from other dioceses or religious orders who at one time worked in the archdiocese and were accused of engaging in sexual abuse of minors in our archdiocese, to the extent we have reliable and sufficient information to determine whether the claim is credible and has been substantiated.

The archdiocese is disclosing information about priests of our archdiocese who are living outside of the archdiocese for the same reason. We believe it may aid in protecting children in other dioceses where these priests live. We also believe that it is appropriate to disclose information regarding the deceased priests because doing so may help the healing process for some victims.

Q. Why was permission required from the court to release the names?
A. There has been a protective order in place in Ramsey County District Court since 2009 related to a list of 33 priests provided by the archdiocese to the John Jay Commission in 2004. That list was used to compile a nationwide summary of “credible” claims of clergy abuse of minors. The court order to seal this list applied to all parties, including the archdiocese. Out of respect and deference to the court, we wanted to ensure that our initiative now to release the names and related information was not in violation of that order.
In addition, we were concerned about the release of the entire list because we were able to determine that only 29 of the priests listed in 2004 had credible claims asserted against them of sexually abusing a minor that could be substantiated. We have not determined that the other four priests had substantiated claims against them of sexually abusing a minor. In fact, we were unable to verify any claim in two of the four cases.

Q. What is the difference between a “credible” claim and one that is “substantiated?”

A. As soon as the archdiocese is made aware of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, appropriate archdiocesan staff promptly takes two steps. First, the allegation is reported to the police or other authorities, as appropriate, so that they can make whatever evaluation or investigation they deem appropriate. Second, the archdiocese initiates its own internal evaluation of the allegation.

The first step in this internal evaluation is to determine whether the claim is “credible.” A “credible claim” is one that is “not manifestly false or frivolous.” If the archdiocese determines that a credible claim exists, the archdiocese opens an investigation to determine whether a claim is “substantiated.” A “substantiated claim” is one for which sufficient evidence exists to establish reasonable grounds to believe that the alleged abuse occurred.

Neither a credible accusation nor a substantiated claim is a conclusion or presumption of guilt. Rather, if a credible claim is substantiated, this finding initiates a canonical process in order to resolve the claim.

All credible claims are thoroughly investigated by the archdiocese and all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor are reported to civil authorities in accordance with applicable law, prior to the determination of the applicable canonical process.

Q. Is this the extent of the disclosure of names? Is it possible more names could be added after the review of clergy files?
A. These disclosures are intended to be ongoing. We are currently engaged in a comprehensive review of clergy files and the list will be updated as additional announcements are made. These disclosure practices may evolve in the future as we progress, including recommendations that may be made by the independent task force or through the review of our clergy files by an outside firm. If the archdiocese learns of additional credible claims that are substantiated, whether from the review of the clergy files from outside experts or otherwise, the disclosures will be updated on our website.

Q. How often will additional names be disclosed?
A. Whenever the archdiocese learns of additional credible claims of abuse of a minor by a member of the clergy, the archdiocese will share that information with the public by issuing and posting a press release. If a credible claim is determined to be substantiated, whether from the review of clergy files by outside experts or otherwise, we will provide that information on the disclosure section of our website.

Q. Are these priests being supported financially or in other ways by the archdiocese? Where does this money come from?

A. All priests are legally entitled to receive pension benefits that have been accrued. Financial support varies depending on the individual circumstance. The archdiocese has an obligation in Church law to ensure that no priest is left destitute. All of the living priests who have not been laicized are receiving their pension and retirement healthcare. Two of the men are receiving a salary and housing allowance. Pension and retirement health care payments are paid from the pension trust, and salary and housing allowances are paid from the archdiocese operating account.

Q. Have any of these men been permanently removed from the priesthood (laicized)?
A. A few of these men have been laicized. None of these men is allowed to exercise ministry. When the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” was promulgated in 2002, the decision was made to impose severe restrictions and monitor these offending priests rather than seek laicization — removal from the priesthood altogether — based on a desire by the archdiocese to oversee these men versus placing them outside of the Church and unsupervised as lay citizens who would have no restrictions. This was an earnest effort to be responsible.

For some of the men, the decision to sequester them by removing them from all ministry, monitoring their behavior and ensuring they are living lives of prayer and penance was approved by the Holy See as an appropriate response to their abusive behavior.

Q. How are the men who have been removed from ministry, but who are still priests, being monitored?
A. The archdiocese currently has a program by which priests who have committed sexual misconduct are monitored by a professional who works for the archdiocese. The Promoter of Ministerial Standards (POMS) creates and oversees an individual monitoring plan for each priest and meets regularly with these priests to help ensure accountability and health. Each year, a new plan is developed with the goal of maintaining and ensuring appropriate behavior and boundaries, a healthy lifestyle and spiritual life, and accountability. Among other things, priests on the monitoring plan may be required to do the following: attend counseling sessions, meet regularly with a spiritual director, attend priest support groups, and, where appropriate, attend accountability groups regarding particular addictions and/or issues.

The archdiocesan monitoring program was created and has been implemented to contribute toward the creation of safer environments. Appropriate accountability and monitoring of priests who have a history of sexual misconduct helps ensure present and future health toward the goal of preventing future sexual misconduct and safer environments.

Q. What is the threshold for removing a priest from active ministry?
A. If the archdiocese receives a credible claim of sexual abuse of a minor, a priest will be removed from active ministry. These restrictions stay in place until an investigation determines whether or not the claim is substantiated. If a claim is determined to be substantiated, he will remain restricted until any criminal or canonical proceedings are concluded.

Q. What should a person do if he or she recognizes a name on the list and has concerns about further risks the man may pose?

A. Any concerns should be conveyed to the proper civil authorities, such as the local police. In addition, he or she is encouraged to notify Greta Sawyer, the archdiocese’s Victim Assistance Coordinator at (651) 291-4497.

Q. Can priests with substantiated claims of sexual abuse of a minor against them ever be put back into active ministry?
A. No priest who has sexually abused a minor can ever return to active ministry. The determination by the review board that the claim is substantiated is a very serious matter. Ultimately though, a final determination is made through a criminal or canonical process. If not enough evidence is presented to support an accusation, the priest may return to active ministry.

Q. How much has the archdiocese paid to victims to settle civil claims related to clergy sexual abuse of minors? How have those settlements been funded?
A. Since July 1, 2002, the archdiocese has paid out approximately $680,000 to victims. Additional amounts were paid to these victims by our insurance carriers. We will disclose these amounts once we obtain such information from the carriers.

Q. How many individuals have civil suits pending against the archdiocese regarding sexual abuse of a minor?
A. Currently, there are 14 lawsuits involving 23 claimants alleging that they were sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy who, at one time, had an assignment within our archdiocese.

 

 

Archdiocese Releases Additional Disclosures from Clergy File Review by Kinsale

Date: Friday, February 14, 2014
Source: Jim Accurso

Continued Disclosure of Names Part of The Archdiocese’s Comprehensive Approach to Address Clergy Sexual Misconduct


As part of our ongoing commitment to address clergy sexual misconduct, especially for the healing of victims and safety of children, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis today released the names and related information of nine priests against whom claims of sexual abuse of a minor within our archdiocese have been found to be substantiated. Consistent with Archbishop Nienstedt’s previously stated commitment to disclose information regarding clergy against whom there are substantiated claims of sexual abuse of minors, information can be found on our web site in the special section created for this purpose in December 2013.

In all but one case, the incidents occurred 25-50 years ago and all of the clergy involved have been out of ministry in the archdiocese for many years, in most cases for decades. Of the nine men disclosed today, three are known to be deceased.

Two of these nine cases were made known to the archdiocese after the compilation of the John Jay list in 2004, bringing the total number of cases made known to the archdiocese after 2004 to three, including Curtis Wehmeyer, who has already been disclosed by us to the public and widely covered in media reports. Of the three claims made known to the archdiocese after 2004, one relates to incidents that occurred in the 1950’s but that were not made known to the archdiocese until several years after the compilation of the John Jay list.

We are making these disclosures as part of the ongoing review of clergy personnel files conducted by Kinsale Management Consulting at the request of the archdiocese. This file review process, which began in December 2013, initially focused on all living clergy, whether in active ministry or not. It now also includes several priests who are deceased.

Certain clergy members who we have made known to the public through press releases or who have been the subject of media reports over the past many months are not included in this disclosure. They remain under investigation. If claims against them are substantiated, their names will be added to our web site. Similarly, if the claims against them are not substantiated, that too will be made known.

It is a testament to the comprehensive review by the experienced Kinsale team that we are today disclosing seven cases of the nine that were not originally accounted for in the John Jay study in 2004. We were able to identify these additional cases because of the review of the files of all living priests, whether active or inactive, and many of the deceased priests.

With the engagement of the Kinsale team, the archdiocese continues to work on fulfilling the public promises we have made to create safe environments for children, care for victims, facilitate a healing process for our local church in order to restore trust with the Catholic faithful, and restore trust with clergy who are serving honorably. All of our decisions and actions related to clergy misconduct are advanced by these goals.

“The Archbishop’s senior staff is dedicating tremendous time and energy to get to the bottom of the allegations that have surfaced in recent months. Kinsale’s professional expertise and meticulous approach to the clergy file review contributes to giving us confidence we are doing just that,” said Fr. Charles Lachowitzer, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. “The Catholic faithful want to know we are doing everything we can to resolve these matters. I can say truly that we are.”

The archdiocese will continue to make prudent and ongoing disclosures as we proceed forward. We continue to be humbled by the egregious nature of these crimes against children and pray for forgiveness from victims and their loved ones, along with the hope for healing.

 

Additional Disclosure of Names – Part of The Archdiocese’s Comprehensive Approach to Address Sexual Misconduct

Date: Thursday, May 22, 2014
Source: Jim Accurso

As part of our ongoing commitment to address sexual misconduct in Church ministry, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis today released the names and assignment history information of three priests and two religious brothers against who claims of sexual abuse of a minor within our archdiocese have been found to be substantiated. This information can be found by going to archspm.org and clicking on “Clergy Abuse Disclosures” in the upper right hand sidebar.

The names released today are:
Stephen Baker
Edmund Frost
Robert Ruglovsky
Justin Weger
Francis Zachman

All the men named today are deceased and in all cases the abuse occurred more than 25 years ago. Four of the men were members of religious orders and the other man was assigned by the Eparchy of Parma at a Byzantine rite parish within the geographical boundaries of the archdiocese. While religious brothers are not ordained clergy, we are including their names because they had an official parish assignment within this archdiocese.

We are making these disclosures as part of the ongoing review of clergy personnel files conducted by Kinsale Management Consulting at the request of the archdiocese. Beginning in December 2013, Kinsale reviewed the personnel files of all men in ministry as clergy in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis at any point from 1970 to the present, whether or not they remain in public ministry. Kinsale reviewed a total of 3,333 clergy files before completing their work in April 2014. The purpose of the review was to determine whether there are additional cases of sexual abuse or other misconduct that require investigation by law enforcement, public disclosure or other action by the archdiocese.

The archdiocese has shared information discovered through the Kinsale file review with law enforcement. We pledge to continue to cooperate with civil authorities and we urge any victims of abuse who have not yet come forward to please contact civil authorities to make a report.

The archdiocese will continue to make prudent and ongoing disclosures if additional information is found. We recognize that timely disclosure is important to safeguard children and youth and we are committed to making timely disclosure if a member of the clergy is accused of abuse. It is also clear from conversation with victims that disclosure is an important part of the healing process.

Archdiocesan leaders apologize for the harm done by clergy abuse and we acknowledge the pain caused to victims and their families and friends. We ask for forgiveness from victims and their loved ones and we pray for healing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




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