Former Priest Accused of Sexual Abuse Has Died

By Judy L. Thomas
Kansas City Star
November 15, 2012

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/15/3919066/former-priest-accused-of-sexual.html

A former Kansas City area Catholic priest who was the subject of sexual abuse lawsuits, the most recent filed earlier this year, has died.

John R. Tulipana, who left the ministry in the mid-1990s, died Nov. 5 at the age of 66, according to his obituary.

Tulipana’s name first surfaced in 1994 in connection with sexual abuse when the diocese confirmed it had settled two complaints against the priest, who denied the accusations.

In 2008, allegations against Tulipana were part of a $10 million settlement the diocese approved with 47 plaintiffs who alleged sexual abuse by 12 priests.

In October 2010, an out-of-state woman sued Tulipana, alleging he and another priest sexually abused her at a youth retreat when she was a teenager in the late 1970s. Tulipana also was sued in February by four brothers who alleged that he abused them beginning in 1976 on camping trips and at the family’s Independence home. Tulipana continued to deny the allegations.

The diocese, which also is a defendant in the pending lawsuits, said Tulipana was barred from ministry by Bishop Raymond Boland in 1994.

To reach Judy L. Thomas, call 816-234-4334 or send email to jthomas@kcstar.com.