Abusive Evansville Priests Had Ties to Children's Summer Camp

By Jon Webb
Evansville Courier & Press
March 7, 2019

https://www.courierpress.com/story/opinion/columnists/jon-webb/2019/03/07/abusive-evansville-priests-had-ties-childrens-summer-camp/3081890002/

The Outpost was a popular summer camp.

Run by the Evansville Diocese, it drew hordes of Catholic kids in fifth to eighth grades who wanted to go boating or fishing or hiking on 33 lush acres outside Lincoln State Park in Spencer County.

But it also attracted predator priests.

On Feb. 22, the diocese released the names of clergy who have been “credibly accused” of sexual misconduct against minors. There were 12 names in all. Two of them – John Breidenbach and Mark Kurzendoerfer – worked with the camp, while a third – Michael Allen – reportedly had sexual encounters with an under-aged boy there.

The Rev. David Fleck coordinated some aspects of the camp in his post as vocations director. He’s also been accused of misconduct, but his case is still winding through the diocese. He’s denied the charges.

Breidenbach served as co-director of The Outpost in 1992, according to archives of diocese newspaper The Message. That year drew a record 340 campers.

In a July 10, 1992, story, Breidenbach said it was his job as director to make sure every child was taking part in camp activities. He sought out loners, he said. “Someone with a problem or in pain.”

He worked there at least two other summers, according to The Message. He would sometimes go to diocese schools to recruit campers.

Breidenbach admitted to sexually abusing minors “prior to his ordination as a deacon,” the Feb. 22 release stated. He was removed from public ministry in 2014.