NEW MEXICO
The Daily Times
By Hannah Grove The Daily Times
FARMINGTON — The Diocese of Gallup has released more information about sexual abuse allegations against some of its clergy.
On Monday, the diocese published on its website the names of 30 priests and one lay teacher it determined have had “credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor” against them since the 1950s. The affected congregations were notified during Mass on Sunday.
Five priests on the list — John Boland, Charles “Chuck” Cichanowicz, Joseph Coutu, Conran Runnebaum and Lawrence “Larry” Schreiber — served in San Juan County, as did the only lay person, Brett Candelaria.
“It always surprises me that there would be credible allegations against a priest,” said Father Tim Farrell, the pastor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Farmington. “It not only surprises me, it disturbs me.”
Farrell was among dozens of priests in the diocese who stood in front of their parishes Sunday to read a letter from Bishop James S. Wall naming the priests accused of sexual abuse and stating the diocese’s commitment to transparency and creating a safe environment for families. Runnebaum and Schreiber served at Sacred Heart, and Boland was chaplain of the church’s school, according to the diocese’s list.
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