CASPER (WY)
Caspar Start Tribune
March 3, 2019
By Seth Klamann
Catholic leaders in Wyoming continue to compile a full list of credibly accused clergymen stretching back to 1950, more than five months after the work began and three months after the diocese announced the effort to its parishioners.
The internal investigation was announced in early December, three months after the Star-Tribune first inquired about the records and the vicar general of the Diocese of Cheyenne said the work would begin. Since that September request, the diocese has repeatedly told the newspaper that its records inquiry was underway and that no timeline existed for the completion of the work.
Diocese vicar general Rev. Carl Gallinger and Bishop Steve Biegler reiterated that position last week in answer to questions sent by the newspaper. The list will include all living or dead clergymen who faced credible accusations going to back to 1950, the officials said.
Gallinger told the Star-Tribune previously that the diocese’s “commitment” to the review predated September, though the work had not begun until the Star-Tribune requested the records that same month.
Biegler said the church had posted signage in every Catholic church in the state, encouraging victims to come forward.
“We have no other way of finding victims,” he wrote.
He said that no other victims have been identified by the diocese since an August announcement that a third alleged victim of former Bishop Joseph Hart was identified by the church. He noted, though, that he did not have access to any information law enforcement may have.
Through an attorney, Hart has denied any wrongdoing.
The scrutiny and work by the diocese here arose after church officials in Cheyenne announced that sexual misconduct allegations against Hart were credible and that 2002 investigations by Cheyenne Police and the Natrona County District Attorney’s Office were flawed. Both agencies recommended the case be closed, citing a lack of evidence, according to documents obtained by the Star-Tribune.
But Gallinger has said that the presence of the 2002 victim who sparked that investigation provided enough evidence to indicate the claims were credible.
Biegler said that no other law enforcement agencies in the state have been contacted as a part of the diocese’s investigation.
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