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Sioux Falls Diocese Names 11 Priests Accused of Child Sex Abuse

By Patrick Anderson and Jeremy Fugleberg
Argus Leader
March 21, 2019

https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2019/03/21/sioux-falls-catholic-diocese-priests-accused-sexual-abuse-minors/3237715002/

St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls. (Photo: Jay Pickthorn / Argus Leader)

The Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls released a list Thursday of priests who faced substantiated accusations of abusing a minor while serving in eastern South Dakota.

Bishop Paul J. Swain, head of the Sioux Falls diocese, published a two-page letter and prayer to the Sioux Falls community encouraging other victims to come forward and promising to help them heal.

"It is my prayer that this will encourage any victim harmed by any on this list or any other person serving in ministry in the Church to come forward to law enforcement or to the diocese so that appropriate assistance might be offered and justice accomplished," Swain said in his letter. "To all who choose to come forward, please be assured that your confidentiality will be respected."

There is no death record for two priests included in Diocese's list, Robert L. Grabowski and Frank J. McNeil.

The other Sioux Falls Diocese priests accused of child sexual abuse include:

Milton J. Eggerling (died 2008)

Bruce C. MacArthur (died 2012)

James V. McCormick (died 2017)

John I. Murray (died 2012)

Louis D. Nally (died 1987)

William Neuroth (died 2013)

Thomas J. Ryan (died 2017)

Leonard F. Stanton (died 1997)

Leonard M Thury (died 2003)

All of the Sioux Falls priests named have allegations of child sexual abuse that were substantiated in investigations by police and the church, according to the Diocese. Some have appeared in previous stories in the Argus Leader due to claims of abuse and lawsuits filed by former students and their families.

All of substantiated claims of abuse against priests named in the Diocese's list occurred between 1958 and 1992, Swain said.

Catholic Church leaders across the United States have released lists of priests that have been credibly accused of child sex abuse in response to a Pennsylvania case last year. A grand jury accused several Pennsylvania dioceses of trying to cover up abuse by 300 former priests.

Earlier this week, the Rapid City Diocese released a list of 21 priests who were accused of child sexual abuse.

The Sioux Falls Diocese follows rules established to set guidelines and safety training for anyone in the church who works with children, Swain said in his letter. The local Catholic authorities also follow protocols established by the Catholic Church and local leadership for reporting allegations to police and the Diocesan Review Board, Swain said.

"I am grateful to my predecessor bishops who responded in ways that prevented offending clergy from further violations by removing their ability to serve in public ministry," Swain said.

See the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls' full statement here:

 

 

 

 

 




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