Owensboro Diocese Releases Names of Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse

By Amanda Mueller
Eyewitness News
April 12, 2019

https://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/owensboro-diocese-to-release-names-of-priests-accused-of-sexual-abuse/1921183253

Update

On Friday, the Diocese of Owensboro released a list of priests with substantiated allegations of sexually abusing a minor.

The press conference began with an apology from Bishop William F. Medley on behalf of the diocese and the church.

Bishop Medley said inclusion on the list does not necessarily indicate guilt, but it does indicate a finding on behalf of the diocese that there is adequate reason to believe the abuse did occur.

The list from the diocese:

Priests ordained for the Diocese of Owensboro

Gerald Baker - Ordained priest of the Diocese of Owensboro in 1983. Three allegations deemed substantiated by the Diocesan Review Board. Removed from public ministry in 2016.

Paul Greenwell - Ordained in the Diocese of Louisville in 1928. Became a priest of the Diocese of Owensboro in 1937. Multiple allegations from the 1940's and 1950's deemed substantiated. Left the diocese in 1956. Decesased 1964.

Walter Hancock - Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Owensboro in 1947. Multiple allegations deemed substantiated. Removed from public ministry 2002. Deceased 2012.

Gilbert Henninger - Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Louisville in 1937. Became a priest of the Diocese of Owensboro in 1937. Multiple allegations received after his death but deemed substantiated. Deceased 1990.

John Meredith - Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Owensboro in 1980. One allegation deemed substantiated by the Diocesan Review Board. Removed from public ministry 2013.

Louis Piskula - Ordained a priest in the Diocese of Owensboro in 1975. Six allegations deemed substantiated. From 1994 onward he was in a restricted ministry and removed from public ministry in 2002. In 2014 he was convicted of child sexual abuse and sentenced to prison. Deceased 2018.

John Speaks - Ordained a priest in the Diocese of Owensboro in 1974. One allegation deemed substantiated. Removed from public ministry in 2002.

Caroll Wheatley - Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Owensboro in 1975. Two allegations deemed substantiated. Removed from public office in 2011. Deceased 2013.

Henry Wieder - Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Owensboro in 1989. One allegation of abuse received in 2002 involving incident prior to ordination deemed substantiated. Left active ministry 2003.

Priests from another diocese or religious order

Joseph Alexander - Ordained a priest in 1973 in the Order of St. Benedict. Allegation is from years prior to ordination while in St. Maur's Seminary in South Union, Kentucky. Considered substantiated and removed from public ministry in 2002.

Joseph Pilger - Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Covington in 1955. Served in the Diocese of Owensboro from 1963-1976. Thirteen allegations deemed substantiated. Convicted of child sexual abuse in 1993. Deceased 2003.

Louis Telegdy - Ordained as a priest of the Precious Blood Order in 1942. Served in the Diocese of Owensboro 1972-1978. One allegation received in the Diocese of Owensboro after his death. Three allegations in the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa deemed substantiated. Deceased 1995

Raymond Waldruff - Ordained as a priest as a Franciscan Third Order Regular (TOR) in 1953. Served in the Diocese of Owensboro 1967-1968. Five allegations received; at least two deemed substantiated. Dismissed from TOR in 1983. Deceased 1985.

Allegations that occurred outside the Diocese of Owensboro

Paul Haas - Ordained a priest in the Diocese of Nashville in 1959. Served in the Diocese of Owensboro 1967-1977. Multiple allegations in Tennessee were deemed substantiated. No allegations received in the Diocese of Owensboro. Deceased 1979.

William Odom-Green - Ordained a priest in the Diocese of Owensboro in 1991. One allegation in the Diocese of Oakland, California in 1999. Convicted and sentenced to prison. No allegations received in the Diocese of Owensboro. Removed from public ministry 1999.

To report suspected abuse, call the Kentucky Child Protection Hot Line at 1-877-KYSAFE1 or 1-877-597-2331 to call your local Commonwealth Attorney.

Original story

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) - The Diocese of Owensboro said it will hold a press conference Friday at 2 p.m., regarding the release of the names of priests who have substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor.

The diocese said a list of the priests named, along with statements from Bishop William F. Medley.

It will be held at the McRaith Catholic Center in Owensboro.

Watch the press conference: