Catholic Diocese in Kentucky Lists 20 Priests Credibly Accused of Sexual Abuse

By Lucas Aulbach
Courier Journal
August 17, 2020

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/08/17/diocese-lexington-20-priests-credibly-accused-sexual-abuse/5598661002/

Allegations of sexual abuse against 20 priests who served in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington have been substantiated or found to be credible, according to the diocese.

The list, released last week after a nearly 20-month review, is a part of an independent investigation being prepared by attorneys Allison Connelly and Andrew Sparks, according to a letter from Bishop John Stowe released in conjunction with the list. It was released Friday, with the full report to be released later.

Claims against one priest were unsubstantiated, the release said.

Of the claims against the other 20 priests on the list, 10 allegations were substantiated, four allegations were credible, six allegations were credible but involved minors outside the Diocese of Lexington. There are no pending allegations against any active priests, the report says.

Stowe said two of the priests are accused of abuse that occurred since the Diocese of Lexington was formed in 1988.

“I, along with every priest in the Diocese of Lexington, am very sorry for what this report describes and apologize to every person who has ever been accused or injured in any way by one who was ordained to represent Christ and minister Christ’s sacramental and healing presence to his flock,” Stowe wrote. “It is an indescribable horror to so misrepresent Jesus who laid his life down for the sheep.”

A substantiated allegation means there is “reasonable certainty” that the allegation occurred, while a credible accusation means the allegation “is capable of being believed; it is more likely true than not.”

The allegation against William Poole, who died in December 2018, was unsubstantiated, according to the release.

Meanwhile, allegations against Raymond Chappa, William Fedders, James Fritsch, Stephen Gallenstein, Carroll Howlin, Anthony Jablonowski, Balthasar Modica, Joseph Muench, Leonard Nienaber and Joseph Pilger were substantiated. Howlin, Nienaber and Pilger are no longer living.

Credible allegations were levied toward Raymond Broering, Robert Klein, Carl Schaffer and Patrick Walsh by minors within the diocese. All four are dead.

Credible allegations from minors outside the diocese were levied against Paul Arbogast, Peter Richardson, David Schilder, William Spine, Kendrick Williams, Irwin Wolke. Arbogast, Richardson and Wolke are no longer living.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville released a similar list in early 2019 that showed 48 priests had been credibly accused of sexual abuse.

Lucas Aulbach can be reached at laulbach@courier-journal.com , 502-582-4649 or on Twitter @LucasAulbach. Support strong local journalism and subscribe: www.courier-journal.com/lucasa.