DES MOINES (IA)
Des Moines Register
April 4, 2019
By Shelby Fleig
The Diocese of Des Moines on Thursday publicly named nine priests it said are credibly accused of sexually abusing minors while serving the diocese.
The Allegation Review Committee, made up of of local clergy, a judge, a lawyer, a police chief and a retired teacher, substantiated allegations of abuse occurring between 1940 and 1997.
“I share the anger and frustration of recent reports of clerical abuse of minors and young people,” Bishop Richard Pates wrote in a letter to parishioners Wednesday. “It is my sincere hope the release of this list facilitates healing, encourages additional victims who have faced abuse to come forward and begins to restore trust.”
Two of the nine names had not been previously tied to abuse of minors by the diocese. Both are deceased. The diocese has previously confirmed abuse allegations against Albert Wilwerding, John Ryan, Richard Wagner, Phillip Hobt and Howard Fitzgerald.
In 2003, Albert Wilwerding, John Ryan, and former Dowling president Richard Wagner were defrocked after the review committee said they were credibly accused of abusing children.
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