Salina Diocese Releases Names of Clergy in Sex Abuse Investigation

KWCH TV
March 29, 2019

https://www.kwch.com/content/news/Salina-Diocese-releases-names-of-clergy-in-child-sex-crime-investigation-507826601.html

The Catholic Diocese of Salina says an investigation has found 14 clergy members with "substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor."

Last September, Bishop Gerald Vincke hired the independent outside counsel of Cottonwood Law LLC. of Hillsboro to conduct a thorough review of clergy personnel files and identify any potential cases of clergy misconduct with minors.

The report found 14 cases of diocesan clergy abuse of a minor. None of the 14 priests are in active ministry today and all but two have died.

At this time, the Diocese of Salina is only releasing the names of clerics with substantiated allegations of abuse of a minor. Any cleric with an allegation of abuse of a minor that is unsubstantiated has been excluded from the list.

The KBI began it's own investigation into reports of clergy sexual abuse at the beginning of February. The Catholic Diocese of Salina is one of four dioceses in Kansas that the special KBI task force is investigating.

The names of the 14 priests were released on the Diocese website.

Bishop Jerry Vincke released the following statement in regards to the investigation:

In September of 2018, shortly after I arrived in Salina, I asked that an independent review be completed on our priest files. In this edition of The Register, you will find the results of that investigation. There are 14 diocesan priests who have substantiated allegations of abuse of a minor. Additionally, you will also find the results of the independent investigation conducted by the Order of Franciscan Minors Capuchin Province of St. Conrad, headquartered in Denver. They have listed 13 Capuchins who have served in our diocese at some point within their ministry and who have credible allegations of abuse of a minor.

I begin by offering my apologies to all people who are victims of clergy abuse and to the families of any person who was abused. My heart aches for you. I am sorry for any time in the past when the diocese did not appropriately respond to the plea of an individual who was a victim of abuse. There have been times in the past when the Church failed to address the needs of the people who are victims in favor of protecting the reputation of the priest. I am sorry for any time in the past when the Church attempted to solve the issues on their own instead of informing the proper law enforcement of an allegation. By our omission, we committed a terrible injustice to all people who are victims of abuse. We realize that the majority of the clergy abuse occurred decades ago; however, the wounds of that abuse are very deep. I have made mistakes, too. I haven’t always given the people who are victims of clergy abuse my best attention and prompt response.

Bishop Vincke says national news of sexual abuse involving children prompted him to investigate allegations at his own diocese. He believes there no no accused priests still practicing at the Catholic Diocese of Salina.

The KBI says people needing to come forward to report abuse can do so by calling the Kansas Protection Report Center at 1-800-922-5330, the KS Crime Hotline at 1-800-KS CRIME or sending an email message to clergyabuse@kbi.ks.gov.

Here is the list of substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor (or vulnerable adult).

• Louis Bachand

Year of birth: 1931

Year of ordination: 1957

Last known status: Deceased 1991

Estimated time frame of abuse: late 1950s-early 1960s

Abuse reported: 2011

Diocesan action: Priest was deceased at time of reported allegation. Diocese conducted an investigation.