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  26 Priests Accused of Molesting

By Gabriela Rico
Tucson Citizen
February 27, 2004

3 responsible for third of 96 victims since 1950, Tucson's bishop says

Kicanas is optimistic that all offending priests have been named. The accused clergymen represent 2.1% of priests in the diocese during past 54 years.

By GABRIELA RICO

Confident that all priests involved in sexual misconduct with children in the Diocese of Tucson have been identified, Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas released a report today that said there were credible accusations that 26 priests molested 96 children since 1950.

The three most predatory priests were responsible for one-third of the incidents of sexual abuse, according to the diocese.

The Tucson report was released in conjunction with a national report on the nature and scope of sex abuse by Catholic clergy in the United States. Though copies of the report were not officially available until later today, the Associated Press reported there were credible accusations of abuse against 4,392 Catholic priests since 1950. In all, 10,667 abuse claims were made, though 1,000 were deemed to lack credibility, the report said.

Kicanas expressed optimism that all offenders have been publicly named and that the church can move to the next phase - including how to prevent it from happening again.

"What went wrong? How did this happen?" Kicanas asked. "What was it in the church that made bishops respond the way they did?"

The 26 priests who served in the Tucson diocese have had 100 "credible" allegations of abusive acts brought against them, according to Kicanas.

He said that figure represents 2.1 percent of priests who served in the Tucson diocese since 1950.

"This was not an epidemic as some people would like to describe it," Kicanas said.

The number of allegations against the 26 priests:

* Eleven have one allegation.

* Three have two or three allegations.

* Nine have four to nine allegations.

* Three have 10 to 13 allegations.

Three of the priests - Juan Guillen, Julian Sanz and Thomas Purcell - are in prison after being convicted of abusing children. Overall, 10 of the accused are dead, seven are retired and prohibited from ministering and nine have been suspended from the ministry, according to the Diocese of Tucson.

Paul N. Duckro, director of the Office of Child, Adolescent and Adult Protection for the diocese, said the system set up locally has ensured that every allegation is reviewed by law enforcement to give the church guidance.

The "biggest mistake that the church made was trying to handle this in-house," he said.

And although some victims have called the diocese just to say, "This happened to me," Duckro said he is hopeful that all offending priests have been reported.

"It is unlikely there is a perpetrator for whom no one has called," he said.

To date, the diocese has paid $567,586 in legal costs and $143,917 for counseling of victims. More money has been paid by the diocese's insurance company.

There are 14 sex abuse-related lawsuits pending against the diocese, Duckro said. Several suits have been settled for undisclosed sums.

The full national report was released at 8 a.m. today. Keep up with reactions on our Web site.

Diocese report

Summary regarding 26 clergy about whom the Diocese of Tucson is aware of a credible allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor from 1950 to 2004.

Background

* The diocese estimates that 1,222 priests served from 1950 to Dec. 31, 2003.

* The diocese currently includes Tucson as well as all of Pima, Santa Cruz, Cochise, Yuma, La Paz, Pinal, Gila, Graham and Greenlee counties. From 1950-1969, the diocese included all of the state except the Navajo and Hopi reservations.

* The diocese said it has publicly identified all of the priests against whom it has found credible allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Allegations of sexual misconduct

* The 26 priests represent 2.1 percent of priests in the diocese since 1950.

* Total credible allegations of sexual misconduct: 100

* The 100 allegations were related to 96 individuals: 76 males and 20 females.

* Of the 26 priests, 11 have one allegation; three have two to three allegations; nine have four to nine allegations; and three have 10 to 13 allegations.

Male victims*

Age No. Pct .

7 years old 1 2.7

9 years old 1 2.7

10 years old 3 8.1

11 years old 6 16.2

12 years old 5 13.5

13 years old 5 13.5

14 years old 7 18.9

15 years old 3 8.1

16 years old 3 8.1

17 years old 3 8.1

43% were under age 13

Female victims*

Age No. Pct.

6 years old 1 6.6

7 years old 1 6.6

8 years old 4 26.6

9 years old 2 13.3

10 years old 1 6.6

13 years old 4 26.6

15 years old 2 18.9

60% were under age 13

* Estimates for 24 priests whose misconduct is alleged to have happened in the Tucson diocese, based upon victims with known ages when sexual misconduct took place (29 male victims and four female victims of unknown age).

Credibly accused Tucson clergy

Diocese of Tucson clergy about whom the diocese is aware of a credible allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor:

The Rev. Kevin Barmasse

He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1982. He remained a priest of the archdiocese during the time of his assignments in the Diocese of Tucson. He left the diocese in 1991. His assignments: St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Sierra Vista (1983-86); St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Tucson (1986-88); Blessed Sacrament Parish, Mammoth (1988-91)

The Rev. Richard Butler, O.P.

He was a member of the Dominicans (Order of Preachers) religious order. He died in 1988. His assignment was St. Thomas More Newman Center, Tucson (1968-74).

The Rev. William Byrne

Byrne was a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. He died in 1991.

His assignments: Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Tucson (1952); Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Miami (1952-53); Immaculate Conception Parish, Douglas (1953-56); St. Ambrose Parish, Tucson (1956); Regina Cleri Seminary, Tucson (1956-1962); St. Henry Parish, Buckeye/Gila Bend, Mission Trailer Apostolate (1962-64); St. Jerome Parish, Phoenix (1964-67); Christ the King Parish, Mesa (1967); Sacred Heart Parish, Clifton (1967-71); St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Yuma (1971-75); Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, Tucson (1975-81); Vocations, Diocese of Tucson (1981-85); St. Ambrose Parish, Tucson (1985-91).

The Rev. Patrick Callanan

He was a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. He died in 1975. His assignments: Holy Angels Parish, Globe (1952-57); Sacred Heart Parish, Nogales (1957-61); St. Theresa Parish, Patagonia (1961-63); Ss. Simon and Jude Parish, Phoenix (1963-64).

The Rev. Carlos Cocio

He is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. His assignments: St. Luke Parish, Douglas (1983-88); Our Lady of Fatima, Tucson (1988-92); St. James Parish, Coolidge (1992-93).

The Rev. John P. Doran

He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Tucson in 1945 and served at five parishes in the diocese. He became a priest of the Diocese of Phoenix in 1969 and continued in ministry in that diocese until his retirement in 1990. He died in 1997.

His assignments in the Tucson diocese: Sacred Heart Parish, Nogales (1945-47); St. Augustine Cathedral, Tucson (1947-48); Immaculate Conception Parish, Douglas (1948-49); Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Benson (1949-50); St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Phoenix (1950-69).

The Rev. George Dyke

He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Tucson in 1946. He left the diocese in 1965. His request for removal from the clerical state was granted in 1968. He died in 1971.

His assignments: Immaculate Conception Parish, Douglas (1946-49); Salpointe Catholic High School, Tucson (1951-53); St. Cyril of Alexandria Parish, Tucson (1951-53); Sacred Heart Parish, Clifton (1953-61); St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Sierra Vista (1961-65).

The Rev. Robert Gluch

Gluch was a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. He died in 1993.

His assignments: St. Gregory Parish, Phoenix (1964-68); Blessed Sacrament Parish, Miami (1968-72); St. Joseph Parish, Tucson (1972-75); Sacred Heart Parish, Clifton (1975-76); St. Andrew Parish, Sierra Vista (1976-81); St. Patrick Parish, Bisbee (1981-83); St. Odilia Parish, Tucson (1984-93).

The Rev. Juan Guillen

He is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. His assignments: Immaculate Conception Parish, Yuma (1982-85); Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Somerton (1985-86); Immaculate Conception Parish, Yuma (1986-2002). He is in prison.

The Rev. Richard Judd

He was ordained a priest for the Servants of the Holy Paraclete in 1964. The exact dates of his presence in the Tucson diocese cannot be ascertained, but he lived in the Tucson area in the early 1970s. During that time, it appears as if he had an employment relationship with Salpointe Catholic High School and provided some priestly ministry for brief periods at St. Pius X Parish and St. Cyril of Alexandria Parish. The diocese believes Judd died in 1988.

The Rev. Francis Miller, O.C.D.

He is a retired member of the Order of Discalced Carmelites religious order. His assignment: St. Margaret Mary Parish, Tucson (1955-63)

The Rev. Lucien Munier de la Pierre

He was a priest in a diocese in Canada. Munier de la Pierre first came to the Diocese of Tucson in 1974. He was granted faculties to perform ministry in 1974 and was never formally assigned to a parish. He is thought to have died in the 1980s. His service in 1974 and 1975 included: St. Joseph Parish in Hayden, St. Joseph Parish in Wellton, Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Tucson.

Msgr. John Oliver

He is a retired priest of the Diocese of Tucson. His assignments: Queen of Peace Parish, Mesa (1952-54); St. Augustine Cathedral, Tucson (1954-56 and 1960-67); St. Luke Parish, Douglas (1956); All Saints Parish, Tucson (1958-60); St. Philip Parish, Payson (1968-69); Immaculate Conception Parish, Yuma (1969-81); Sacred Heart Parish, Nogales (1987-95); St. Theresa Parish, Patagonia (1981-87); St. Jude Parish, Pearce-Sunsites (1995-2000).

The Rev. George Pirrung

He is a retired priest of the Diocese of Phoenix. He served in the diocese for 15 years before becoming a priest of the Diocese of Phoenix when it was formed in 1969.

His assignments as a priest of the Diocese of Tucson: Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Miami (1954-55); Sacred Heart Parish, Nogales (1955-57); Queen of Peace Parish, Mesa (1957-60); Immaculate Conception Parish, Douglas (1960-62); St. Catherine Parish, Phoenix (1962-68); Holy Family Parish, Phoenix (1968-69). After the Diocese of Phoenix was formed, Pirrung served at Holy Family Parish in Goodyear from 1969 to 1977 and at Immaculate Conception Parish in Cottonwood from 1977 until his retirement in 1997.

The Rev. Thomas Purcell

Purcell was a priest of the Society of Mary (Marianists) religious order. His assignments: St. Odilia Parish, Tucson (1982-83); Sacred Heart Parish, Nogales (in residence, 1983-84). He is in prison.

Msgr. Walter Rosensweig

He is a retired priest of the Diocese of Tucson. His assignments: Sacred Heart Parish, Nogales (1953); St. Augustine Cathedral, Tucson (1953-62 and 1967-69); St. Patrick Parish, Bisbee (1962-65); St. Monica, Tucson (1965-66); St. Rose of Lima Parish, Safford (1969-72); Sacred Heart, Nogales (Tubac, Amado, Rio Rico) (1972-96).

The Rev. Charles Rourke

He was a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. He died in 1993.

His assignments: St. Augustine Cathedral, Tucson (1958); Immaculate Conception Parish, Douglas (1958-60); Queen of Peace Parish, Mesa (1960-61); St. Joseph Parish, Tucson (1961-62); All Saints Parish, Tucson (1962-65); Newman Center, Tucson (1966-68); St. Monica Parish, Tucson (1968-69); leave of absence and Archdiocese of Santa Fe (1969-73); Sacred Heart Parish, Nogales (1973-75); leave of absence (1975-81); St. Andrew Parish, Sierra Vista (1981-84).

The Rev. Julian Sanz

He is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. His assignments: St. Bernard Parish, Pirtleville (1980-84); St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Yuma (1986-87); Sacred Heart Parish, Clifton (1987-90); St. Joseph Parish, Wellton (1990-92); St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, San Luis (1992-2001); Immaculate Conception Parish, Douglas (2001-02). He is in prison.

The Rev. Clemens Schlueter

He is a retired priest of the Diocese of Tucson. His assignments: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Scottsdale (1961-63); St. Daniel Parish, Scottsdale (1963-65); Arizona State Prison chaplain, Florence (1965-69); Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Scottsdale (1970-75); Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Tucson (1976-77); Sacred Heart Parish, Parker (1977-82); Arizona Correctional Training Center chaplain, Tucson (1982-85); St. Helen Mission, Oracle (1986-90).

The Rev. Steven Stencil

He is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. His assignments: Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Miami (1981-84); Sacred Heart Parish, Clifton (1984-86); Vocations, Diocese of Tucson (1986-89); St. Anthony Parish, Casa Grande (1989-99); St. Mark the Evangelist Parish, Tucson (1999-2001).

The Rev. Floyd G. Stromberg

Stromberg is a retired priest of the Diocese of Tucson. His assignments: St. Augustine Cathedral, Tucson (1959-60); Immaculate Conception Parish, Ajo (1960-63, 1970-80); St. Gregory Parish, Phoenix (1963-66); St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Superior (1966); St. Ambrose Parish, Tucson (1966-68); St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Tucson (1968-70, 1982-83); Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, Tucson (1983-87); Our Lady Queen of All Saints, Tucson (1987-2002).

The Rev. Daniel Taylor

He is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. He came to the diocese in 1981 and again in 1984 as a priest of the Diocese of Erie, Pa. He became a priest of the Diocese of Tucson in 1992. His assignments: St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Tucson (1981); St. Francis Parish, Superior (1984-85); St. Rose of Lima Parish, Safford (1985); Sacred Heart Parish, Parker (1985-88); Assumption Parish, Florence (1988-91); Holy Angels Parish, Globe (1991-96); St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Yuma (1996-99).

The Rev. Michael Teta

He is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. His assignments: Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, Tucson (1978-80); St. Rose of Lima Parish, Safford (1980-82); St. Francis Parish, Superior (1986-88).

The Rev. Robert Thomas

He is a retired priest of the Diocese of Toledo. He came to the Diocese of Tucson in 1986 and was granted faculties to perform ministry. His assignments were: Our Lady of the Valley, Green Valley (1986-87); Our Mother of Sorrows, Tucson (1987-95); also served at Santa Catalina Mission from 1995 through May 2002.

The Rev. James Thompson, C.M.

He was a member of the Vincentian Religious Order. He served at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Phoenix in 1964-65. At that time, the parish was in the Diocese of Tucson. He died in 1982.

Msgr. Robert Trupia

He is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. His assignments were: St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Yuma (1973-76); Tribunal, Diocese of Tucson (1976-92). While assigned to the tribunal, he also provided ministry at various times at parishes in Tucson, including St. Thomas the Apostle, Our Mother of Sorrows and St. Francis de Sales.

Timeline of abuse

When the 89 cases of abuse that happened within the Tucson Diocese occurred

Contact: grico@tucsoncitizen.com

 
 

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