More Priests Accused of Sexually Abusing Children Served in Alabama

By Christopher Harress
AL.com
December 7, 2018

https://www.al.com/alabama/2018/12/more-priests-accused-of-sexually-abusing-children-served-in-alabama.html

Eight Catholic priests who served at Spring Hill College in Mobile have been named as part of a list Friday that accuses former Jesuits of sexually abusing children.

The list of 42 comes one day after the Archdiocese of Mobile named 29 former priests and clergy who had similar accusation of sexual child abuse made against them.

Fr. Ronald Mercier, the leader of the Central Southern organization, said in a letter that the names represented a “sinful part of history.”

He added: “Words cannot possibly suffice to express our sorrow and shame for what occurred, our promise of prayers for healing, and our commitment to work with them. Caring for these survivors – and preventing any such future events – must be our focus as we move forward.”

Not every priest on the list is linked with Alabama. In response to the list a spokesperson from the Jesuit college in Mobile said:

“Their inclusion does not necessarily mean they were found guilty of any charge of sexual abuse against a minor. It should also be noted that Spring Hill College has no knowledge that the alleged abuse occurred during their assignment to our campus community.”

This list contains the names of the Jesuits who are or were members of the U.S. Central and Southern (UCS) Province and its predecessor entities: the New Orleans Province, the Missouri Province, or the Independent Region of Puerto Rico of the Society of Jesus.

These men fall into one of three categories:

Jesuits of this province against whom one or more credible claims of sexual abuse of a minor or a vulnerable adult have been made.

Jesuits from other provinces against whom there are credible claims resulting from their work while assigned to this province.

Jesuits of this province whose names have been published on diocesan websites or the websites of other Jesuit provinces.

The priests who served at Spring Hill College are:

Vincent R. Malatesta, SJ. Estimated Timeframe of Abuse: 1980s. (Single allegation).

Claude L. Ory, SJ (Brother). Estimated Timeframe of Abuse: 1970s. (Single allegation).

Elmo J. Rogero, SJ (DECEASED). Estimated Timeframe of Abuse: 1950s. (Single allegation).

Claude P. Boudreaux, SJ (DECEASED). Estimated Timeframe of Abuse: 1960s. (Multiple allegations).

Edward D. DeRussy, SJ (DECEASED). Estimated Timeframe of Abuse: 1970s. (Multiple allegations).

Charles G. Coyle, SJ (DECEASED). Estimated Timeframe of Abuse: 1960s and 1970s. (Multiple allegations).

Austin N. Park, SJ (DECEASED). Estimated Timeframe of Abuse: 1960s. (Multiple allegations).

J. Donald Pearce, SJ (DECEASED). Estimated Timeframe of Abuse: 1960s. (Multiple allegations).

The remaining priests are:

Michael O. Barry, SJ

Charles Bartles, SJ

Jody Blanchard, SJ

John Campbell, SJ

Cornelius J. Carr, SJ (New York Province which is now part of USA Northeast Province)

Mark A. Clark, SJ

Francis X. Cleary SJ

James A. Condon, SJ (Chicago Province which is now part of USA Midwest Province)

Donald Dickerson, SJ

Burton J. Fraser, SJ (Wisconsin Province which is now part of USA Midwest Province)

Chester E. Gaiter, SJ

Thomas J. Hatrel, SJ

Thomas J. Hidding, SJ

John W. Hough, SJ

Francis J. Kegel, SJ

Dennis P. Kirchoff, SJ

Bernard P. Knoth, SJ (Chicago Province which is now part of USA Midwest Province)

Philip D. Kraus, SJ

Francis M. Landwermeyer, SJ

Gerhardt B. Lehmkuhl, SJ

Alfonso Madrid, SJ (Province of Mexico)

Eugene A. Maio, SJ

James L. McShane, SJ

Edward P. Murphy, SJ

Thomas J. Naughton, SJ (Priest of the New Orleans Province, NOT Brother Thomas Naughton of the Missouri Province)

Patrick H. O’Liddy, SJ

Vincent A. Orlando, SJ

George M. Pieper, SJ

Paul C. Pilgram, SJ

Norman J. Rogge, SJ

Anthony J. Short, SJ

Arthur O. Verdieck, SJ

Richard H. Witzofsky, SJ (Brother)

Benjamin Wren, SJ

More to follow.