List of credible allegations against previous Sullivan clergy

Sullivan Daily Times
February 24, 2019

https://bit.ly/2U5O5la

In late September 2018, in response to the request of clergy abuse victims and their families, Bishop Joseph M. Siegel announced that the Diocese of Evansville would collect and release the names of priests who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. The Diocese’s hope is that the listing of these priests will help in the process of healing for those who have been affected by clergy sexual abuse and help to keep minors safe.

Along with compiling the names that have been published in The Message in previous years, the Diocese contracted a private investigator (Mark C. Mabrey & Associates Inc. of Evansville) to review records dating to its founding in 1944. The record review began in early October and ended in mid-December 2018. In August 2018, the auditors that oversee diocesan compliance with the guidelines of the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People recommended the record review.

The following list of clergy is based on the review of records and the recommendations of current and previous Diocesan Review Board members. The current Review Board consists of six lay persons and one priest. Current and past members of the Board hold or have held positions in mental health counseling, clinical psychology, the practice of law, the medical field and law enforcement, including specialty in areas of child physical and sexual abuse.

A credible claim is one for which, following a review of information, the Review Board determined as believable and plausible, and the Bishop accepted as credible; or the priest admitted to or acknowledged.

Finally, every allegation of child abuse must be reported to Child Protective Services, an agency of Indiana state government. Local law enforcement may also be contacted. In the event of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor (a person under 18) by any diocesan personnel, report the allegation to authorities and inform the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the diocese (Toll-free: (866) 200-3004; Local: (812) 490-9565). Sexual abuse of a person who habitually has only the imperfect use of reason is to be considered equivalent to a minor.

These following diocesan priests have allegations determined to be credible of at least one act of sexual abuse of a minor or person who habitually has only the imperfect use of reason, which the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People considers equivalent to a minor: Michael Allen, John Breidenbach, Joseph Clauss, James Clements, Wilfred Englert, Mark Kurzendoerfer, Arthur Mergen, Othmar Schroeder and Richard Wildeman. A credible claim is one for which, following a review of available information, the Review Board determined as believable and plausible, and the Bishop accepted as credible or the priest admitted to or acknowledged. Here are additional details:

Mark Kurzendoerfer

Year of birth: 1955

Date of priestly ordination: May 8, 1981

Number of credible allegations: 4; Admitted to two allegations

Action taken: Removed from public ministry, July 2, 2002; dispensed from the clerical state, Nov. 1, 2009

Places Served:

• Administrator, St. Mary Church, Sullivan, June 1, 1981

• Associate Pastor, St. Simon Church, Washington, July 1, 1981

• Teacher, Washington Catholic, Washington, July 1, 1981

• Residence, Faculty House on Lincoln Ave., Evansville, June 11, 1984

• Teacher, Mater Dei High School, Evansville, June 11, 1984

• Administrator, Holy Angels Church, New Harmony, July 1, 1986

• Diocesan Vocation Board, Dec. 10, 1989

• Diocesan Vocation Team, Feb. 26, 1992

• Sacramental Minister, St. Thomas Church, Vincennes, Oct. 1, 1995

• Associate Pastor, Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Haubstadt, and assisting at St. Joseph, Princeton, Blessed Sacrament, Oakland City, July 16, 1999

Removed from public ministry, July 2, 2002

Dispensed from the clerical state: Nov. 1, 2009

Date posted as part of this list: Feb. 22, 2019

Richard Wildeman

Year of birth: 1951

Date of priestly ordination: May 13, 1977

Number of credible allegations: 1; Admitted

Action taken: Left active ministry, May 28, 2002; dispensed from the clerical state, Aug. 17, 2007

Places served:

• Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, June 15, 1977

• Associate Pastor, St. John Church, Newburgh, Sept. 1, 1977

• Associate Pastor, St. Matthew Church, Mt. Vernon, July 6, 1979

• Chaplain, Boy Scouts, Aug. 22, 1979

• Residence, Faculty House on Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, June 1, 1980

• Diocesan Director, Youth Ministry, June 1, 1980

• Weekend assistance, Corpus Christi Church, Evansville, June 1, 1980

• Weekend assistance, St. Clement Church, Boonville, Aug. 10, 1981

• Associate Pastor, Holy Family Church, Jasper, Aug. 3, 1982

• Pastor, St. Mary Church, Sullivan, June 1, 1987

• Administrator, St. Joan of Arc Church, Jasonville, June 1, 1987

• Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Vanderburgh County, July 10, 1991

• Granted permission for ministry in Haiti, June 1, 2000

Left active ministry, May 28, 2002

Dispensed from the clerical state: Aug. 17, 2007

Date posted as part of this list: Feb. 22, 2019

This diocesan priest pled guilty to receiving child pornography: Jean Vogler. Here are additional details:

Jean Vogler

Year of birth: 1945

Date of priestly ordination: Feb. 28, 1970

Action taken: This priest was charged and convicted in 1996 in the U.S. District Court for Southern Indiana of Receiving Child Pornography and sentenced to 366 days in federal prison. The priest was reinstated to active ministry in 1999 and retired on Sept. 2, 2011. Not in public ministry, Feb. 19, 2019.

Places served:

• Associate Pastor, St. Theresa Church, Evansville, Aug. 22, 1970

• Associate Pastor, Christ the King Church, Evansville, Aug. 1, 1972

• Teacher, Reitz Memorial High School, Evansville, Sept. 1, 1975

• Weekend Assistance, St. James Church, Haubstadt, Sept. 1, 1975

• Pastor, Holy Redeemer Church, Evansville, July 15, 1980

• Pastor, St. Mary Church, Sullivan, July 18, 1986

• Administrator, St. Joan of Arc Church, Jasonville, July 18, 1986

• Pastor, St. Boniface Church, Evansville, June 1, 1987

• Pastor, Holy Rosary Church, Evansville, June 27, 1990

• Residence at Villa Maria on Lincoln Avenue next to Memorial High School, 1998

• Appointed as chaplain of St. Mary’s Medical Center, Evansville, June 3, 1998 (appointment withdrawn before it became effective)

• Associate Pastor, Holy Trinity Church, Evansville, April 28, 1999

• Residence at Villa Maria on Lincoln Avenue next to Memorial High School, September 2004

• Sacramental Minister, St. Joseph Church, Evansville, Sept. 5, 2007

Retired Sept. 2, 2011

Not in public ministry, Feb. 19, 2019

Date posted as part of this list: Feb. 22, 2019

For a complete list of clergy members on this list, you can go to www.evdio.org.