Database of Publicly Accused

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 12/29/2019. An allegation was received in 3/2017 that Baker sexually abused a teenage boy 1986-1989, while assigned to St. Francis of Assisi in Lenoir, NC. Baker was living in AZ in 2017, having moved there in 1991. He worked for a short time for the Phoenix diocese before leaving ministry in 1994.

Working in Richmond VA in 6/2007 when placed on leave after a review of his personnel file revealed allegations of inappropriate touching of a minor in 1982, while director of youth ministry and the Boy Scouts for the the Charlotte diocese. Diocese had been informed of allegations in 1994; Burton acknowledged the misconduct. Sent for therapy and reassigned to the Camden diocese. Died 8/20/2011. On Jesuit Maryland Province list 12/17/2018. Added to the Baltimore archdiocese's list as of 2/2019. On Richmond diocese's list 2/13/2019. On Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/2019. Mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's list (erroneously as Jeffrey Burton).

Worked as a priest in five states. Left his order in 1979 or 1981. Laicized in 1983. Married. Pleaded guilty in 6/2007 to sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy in 8/2006 in New Jersey. Sentenced in 10/2007 to five years in prison. Prosecutors tried to obtain Corbesero's personnel records from his time as a priest, alleging that he may have had similar troubles in the 1970s; the court denied the motion. Included on the Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/2019. It notes a report in 1995 of the sexual abuse of a teenage boy sometime between 1973 and 1975 while assigned to Our Lady of Consolation in Charlotte. Corbesero died in 2016.

Criminally charged in 1988 with abusing a boy in 1966 when parish was in the Raleigh diocese. Sentenced to three years in jail; served about 60 days. Probation for five years, ordered to St. Luke Institute for treatment. Dressed young boys in loin cloths to depict crucified Christ. The Charlotte diocese removed Corbin's faculties in 1988. He was also named in a 12/2003 suit in Springfield MA; settled in 8/2004. Died in a fire 5/14/2008, age 79. Included on the Raleigh diocese's list in 10/2018, which notes a report in 1988 of abuse in 1966. Was put on sick leave 1962-1964 after one year at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Newton Grove NC and missions. His remaining NC assignments were in the Charlotte diocese after it was formed. On leave 1970-1993; whereabouts unknown. In 2002 the Springfield MA diocese had been planning to assign Corbin as a supply priest, but did not when the allegation was received that became the 12/2003 lawsuit. Corbin died in 2008. Included on the Fall River MA diocese' list in 1/2021. On the Springfield MA diocese's list 6/2/2021. In 2/2026 the Springfield diocese noted an additional credible allegation against Corbin.

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 12/29/2019. The Diocese received a report in 1998 from a teenage girl who said D'Silva touched and kissed her at St. Bernadette Catholic Mission in Linville. He denied the allegation. The Diocese said at the time that it could not substantiate the allegation. It was found credible after a 2019 file review. D'Silva died in 2005.

Monsignor. Named publicly by the Raleigh diocese on its list in 10/2018 as accused with a 'semblance of truth'.  The list notes that an allegation was received in 2005 of abuse in 1950; Denges was then pastor of St. John the Baptist in Roanoke Rapids NC with missions and stations in Halifax, Littleton, and Weldon; Denges was also Dean of the Eastern Deanery. In 1951, Denges was made pastor of St. Anthony of Padua in Southern Pines and Dean of the Raleigh Deanery. In 1929-1949 he ran Camp Denges in Abell MD in the Washington archdiocese with his brother, Msgr. Joseph F. Denges. Msgr. Peter M. Denges died on 7/27/1985.

Named publicly as accused 'with a semblance of truth' by the Raleigh diocese on its list in 10/2018. The list notes a report in 2004 to the Diocese of abuse in 1964, when Msgr. Dolan was pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Greensboro NC (now in the Charlotte diocese), where accused priest John J. Hyland was accused in 2002 of abuse also in 1964. Dolan founded S.t Pius X and was pastor there 1960-1975. Msgr. Dolan was born in 1906 in Ireland and died on 9/26/1981. Dolan's name is included on the  Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/2019 (middle initial incorrectly as J.)

Placed on leave in 5/1985; the Diocese announced he was assigned to "a priestly ministry program" in RI; was actually sent to House of Affirmation in MA for treatment. Returned to the Charlotte diocese in 7/1988. Accused in 2/1999 of the sexual abuse of a  10- to 12-year-old boy 19 years prior. Sent to the Miami FL archdiocese in 2000 with a letter of reference from Bishop Curlin. The same accuser resurfaced in 2002. Faculties revoked in 4/2002. Indicted in 8/2002 on charges of " indecent liberties" with a boy in the mid-1980s. Pleaded no contest in 11/2004; sentenced to 180 days probation, counseling and community service. A civil suit was filed 7/19/2011. Accused of abuse of an altar boy; grooming began in the early 1980s when the boy was 14, after the boy confided to Farwell that he had been raped by a truck driver while hitch-hiking. Filed suit 4/13/2020. Farwell's name is included on the  Diocese's list 12/29/2019.

Named publicly as accused by the Charlotte diocese on its list 12/29/2019. Accused in 9/1971 of recently inappropriately touching a teenage girl at Our Lady of Lourdes in Monroe, where he was filling in one weekend. The parish was in the Diocese of Raleigh at the time, prior to the creation of the Charlotte diocese. The girl's family did not press charges. The Oratorians restricted Gallagher's ministry. He died 11/14/1976. Per a 1974 news report about a trip he took to Ireland, Gallagher had spent the previous 36 years visiting various SC churches to preach on Sundays. Added to the Diocese of Charleston's list 12/31/2019.

Removed by the Jesuits in 2007 from Holy Cross in Durham, NC after admitting to inappropriate sexual contact with five young adults, ages 18-23, in the early 1980s while in Baltimore and Philadelphia. Received therapy. In 1/2013, the Order told the Raleigh diocese of a credible complaint of abuse of a minor from the 1970s while assigned to St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia. Sent to a monitored community. Died in 2014. Name included on the Maryland Province Jesuits list 12/17/2018, which notes multiple allegations. On the Scranton diocese's list 12/22/2018. Added to the Baltimore archdiocese's list in 2/2019. On the Raleigh diocese's list in 10/2018, which notes abuse in 1970 reported in 2018. Mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.

Ordained in 1953 for the Trappists. Incardinated in 1972 into the Charlotte diocese. Retired 1992. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 12/29/2019. An allegation was received in 2002 that Gavigan sexually abused a girl in 1973 at Our Lady of Grace in Greensboro. He denied the allegation. In 2002 he was living in a nursing home in NC. Restricted from ministry to minors. Died in 2007. (Brother of credibly accused priest Eugene Gavigan.)

From Italy. Named publicly as accused by the Raleigh diocese on its list in 10/2018. The list notes that sexual abuse occurring in 1977 was reported in 2004; further, Ghisalberti was suspended, and a Vatican petition was in progress. He died 10/19/2020. Per his obituary, Ghisalberti started his priesthood in the Diocese of Greensburg PA, moving in 1975 to the Raleigh diocese. He earned a Law degree in 1981 and practiced law while pastor of Christ the King in Riegelwood. He had been married for 32 years at the time of his death.

Removed by the Jesuits from ministry 9/29/2021 pending an investigation of an allegation that he sexually abused a boy, beginning when the boy was age 8, during 1994-1999. Gillespie was pastor at the time in question of Our Lady of the Assumption in Charlotte and the boy was a student at the parish school. He filed suit 11/18/2021. Gillespie left the Charlotte diocese in 2002 for the Diocese of Raleigh until 2008, then to the Diocese of Charleston, SC, returning in 1/2021 to Raleigh. A criminal investigation into the allegations was closed in 11/2021 because the alleged victim chose not to prosecute.

Member of the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province of Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Known to have worked in the DE, PA, NC, FL dioceses. A 30-year-old man told the Raleigh diocese in 1993 that Gondek sexually assaulted him during confession in Wilmington, NC. The Order said it had Gondek undergo counseling. He was kept in ministry. The man wrote to the Charlotte diocese years later, after Gondek's transfer there. He was pastor of a Lexington, NC parish beginning in 1998. In 10/2007 a man alleged that Gondek molested him as a teen at a MD summer camp in 1960, when Gondek was a seminarian. He was placed on leave, then reinstated in 12/2007 after being cleared by Church investigators. In 12/2015 he was again suspended after a man said Gondek sexually abused him at age 18 five years prior, along with others who were minors. A criminal investigation was initiated. Included on the Raleigh diocese's list in 10/2018; not included on the on Raleigh's list updated in 3/2021. Gondek died 8/16/2022.

Pastor of St. Matthew's in Charlotte when placed on leave in 12/2019 due to an allegation that he sexually abused a minor 25 years prior (before ordination) in PA. Police in PA investigated and found additional allegations that Hoare engaged in "inappropriate touching of relatives" when he was a teenager and young adult in the 1980s and 1990s. There were also complaints in the Diocese of Charlotte that Hoare was observed being "very touchy" with minors, including hugs and rubbing of shoulders or abdomens. Abington PA police determined that the claimants were credible; no charges due to the statute of limitations. Hoare denied the allegations. In 7/2020 the Diocese announced that, based on recommendation from the Lay Review Board, Hoare would remain on administrative leave. Hoare appealed to the Vatican. As of 5/2023, Hoare has continued his longtime weekly podcast, "Daily Reflections with Fr. Pat." In 5/2025 the Diocese announced that the Vatican had concluded that Hoare's removal was "in accord with canon law." The Diocese announced in 9/2025 that Hoare was among those elected in 2025 to the Presbyteral Council, for a term that ends in 2028. Assigned in December 2025 to begin 1/13/2025 as chaplain to a Catholic retirement community.

"Del."  Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese of Owensboro on its list in 4/2019, where he worked 1977-1988. No known abuse in Owensboro. Included on the Glenmary order's list 10/11/2019. Worked in NC, OH, AR, KY, VA, GA. Added to the Richmond diocese's list in 10/25/2019 for allegations of abuse there. Included on the Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/2019. The Glenmarys told the Charlotte diocese in 11/2019 that it received allegations in 1988 that Holmes abused three minors in 1976 in Murphy, NC, and that he was also credibly accused of abuse later in Franklin, KY. He was removed from ministry in 1991 and died in 2013. Included in 1/2020 on the Cincinnati archdiocese's list. Added in 11/2021 to the Nashville diocese's list.

Hyland was named publicly as accused by the Raleigh diocese on its list in 10/2018. Allegations were reported to the Diocese around 2002, of abuse in 1964. The Raleigh list notes that there were also "subsequent reports of abuse." At the time of the reported abuse, Hyland was in residence at St. Pius X Parish in Greensboro, where he was listed in the Directory as assigned until 1973. Then he was listed as retired until he died on 11/23/1975. The parish school had 312 students in 1963-1964 and 302 in 1972-1973. Greensboro became part of the Charlotte diocese when it was erected from the Raleigh diocese in 1971. Before then, the Raleigh diocese comprised all of NC. Per the Charlotte list 12/29/2019, there was an allegation in 2002 of the sexual abuse of a girl 1964-1966 at St. Pius X in Greensboro.

Worked in the archdioceses of Washington DC, Boston, dioceses of Buffalo, Grand Rapids, Charlotte, San Antonio. Included on a list of accused posted by the Law Offices of Mitchell Garabedian 1/19/2011. Garabedian said he settled at least one claim with the Boston archdiocese involving Joyce. The claimant said Joyce fondled and attempted to rape him when he was a Lowell, MA altar boy, ages 11-13, in 1977-1979. Joyce was working as Director of Libraries at Oblate College in San Antonio in 2011, at least since 2002. The Order said on 1/27/2011 that he was barred from working as a priest. Omitted from the 2011 Boston AD database. Died in 2013. Included on the Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/2019. Accused in 2002 of the sexual abuse of a boy 1973-1976 at Sacred Heart Catholic Mission in Wadesboro, NC. Accused in two lawsuits filed in 9/2019 under the NY Child Victims Act of sexually abusing two boys, both students at Bishop Fallon High School in Buffalo. One claimed abuse at ages 11-13 in 1964-1966, and the other at ages 15-18 in 1962-1965. Included on the Diocese of Buffalo's list of credibly accused.

Accused in a lawsuit filed 2/2/2017 of the sexual abuse and assault of a 17-year-old girl on 12/25/2013 in the parking lot of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, NC. Kaup, age 27, was a seminarian and youth minister at the parish. The suit alleges also that Kaup continued to have sex with the girl until mid-2014. A police investigation in 2016 did not result in charges. Kaup left the seminary in 5/2014 and was hired to work as a youth minister at a Huntersville parish. Diocesan officials maintained that the pastor, for whom Kaup had worked at Sacred Heart, did not know of the allegations. Kaup left the Huntersville job in summer 2016. Kaup countersued, saying the two had been in a dating relationship and that her parents approved.

From Ireland. Trappist monk in Ireland and New Zealand for many years prior to leaving the order. Took the name "Gregory" as a Trappist. Incardinated into Raleigh diocese in 1966, then to the Charlotte diocese when it was created in 1971. Retired in 7/1999. Removed in 7/2010 from his assignment as chaplain at Bishop McGuinness High School after an allegation of sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old boy in 1977 in Albemarle, NC. He was assigned there 4/1973 - 8/1977. Police were notified in 9/2009 and told the Diocese shortly thereafter. Charges were filed in 7/2010. Kelleher was arrested then released on bail 7/8/2010. A second accuser came forward a week later. No criminal charges were filed. Both men sued in 9/2011. Kelleher admitted to having abused in 1977. There are multiple other accusers. Two more men filed suit in 2012; dismissed on the statute of limitations on  6/20/2014. Criminal charges to abuse which Kelleher had confessed were dismissed 7/1/2014 due to his dementia. He died 8/20/2014. The Charlotte bishop was to preside at Kelleher's memorial mass. Included on the Raleigh diocese's list in 10/2018 and on the Charlotte diocese's 12/29/2019 list of credibly accused. A lawsuit was filed 4/13/2020.

Accused in 1995 of sexually abusing a boy, ages 9-13, beginning in 1952, at St. Joan of Arc in Asheville. The abuse included oral and anal rape. Kuder was said to have driven the boy to rectories 20 and 50 miles away, where he made the boy go to the door alone to seek confession for "sex with a priest." He said Kuder threatened him with eternal damnation if he broke the seal of confession. The boy's two brothers said Kuder similarly abused them at ages 9-13. In 1995 he persuaded Bishop Curlin to apologize to the parish. Curlin acknowledged the abuse of many children by Kuder, who has been referred to as a serial pedophile. Kuder died 8/31/1960, before the Charlotte diocese was created from the Raleigh diocese, which until 1971 comprised all of NC. Included in 10/2018 on the Raleigh diocese's list iof accused. On the Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/2019.

From the Diocese of Vinh Long in Vietnam. Arrived in the U.S. in 1993. Retired in 2011 to his home diocese. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Charlotte Diocese on its list 12/29/2019. The Diocese received an allegation in 2013 that Le sexually abused multiple minors at St. Joseph Vietnamese Catholic Church. His faculties were removed in 8/2013 and his home Diocese was notified.

A 1998 civil lawsuit alleged Lynch sexually abused twin brothers 1991-1995, when the boys were in their early teens. Lynch apparently reported an "indiscretion" to Bishop Curlin in 1995 who attempted to resolve the matter with the family. Lynch was sent to residential treatment. He was reassigned to a Charlotte parish in 1997 then asked for leave in 2/1998. The Diocese paid $77,489 in 1996 and an undisclosed amount as the result of a 1999 lawsuit. Reportedly in 2002, Lynch left the priesthood. He was laicized in 2009. In 2017 Lynch was working as a registered nurse at MedStar Washington Hospital and living in Alexandria, VA. A man filed a police report on 3/5/2019, alleging Lynch and Fr. Cornell Bradley, S.J. each sexually abused him as a teen in the 1990s. Lynch's name is included on the the Charlotte diocese's 12/29/2019 list of credibly accused.

Monsignor. Former chancellor and vicar general. Accused in 2004 of molesting a boy for three years, beginning when the boy was 11 in 1970. The abuse allegedly occurred on trips, in the rectory, and in a car. McSweeney died in 1999. He was a financial expert who had amassed nearly $1M at the time of his death. A claim was settled for $120K in 3/2004. There is one other known accuser. Per the bishop, claims were credible. Included on the Diocese's list in 10/2018.

Ordained for the Diocese of Raleigh. Worked in parishes that later became part of the Diocese of Charlotte when it was formed in 1971. The Raleigh diocese learned 11/13/2009 of an allegation that Parker sexually abused a minor in 1982. Parker retired in 1993 and continued to provide limited ministry. He denied the allegations. His faculties were  removed 1/19/2010 after a review board investigation. Included on the Raleigh diocese's list in 10/2018. On the Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/2019.

"Drew." Ordained at age 53 in 1998. Placed on leave in 4/2002 for lying on application, after the Diocese learned that he had been accused of the sexual abuse of a 4-year-old female relative when he was a teenager in 1961. In 1987 Perry was criminally charged in FL with lewd conduct with a boy; Perry was an adolescent psychiatric counselor at Rivendell in Vero Beach, and the boy was a patient. The boy told his mother about the incident and she called the Sheriff's Department. A Sheriff's detective recorded a telephone conversation with the boy and Perry in which Perry made self-incriminating statements. The charges were dropped in 1988 just before trial when the boy refused to testify. Perry admitted to abusing the girl. He appealed to the Vatican for review of his case. Name was included on the Diocese's list in 10/2018.

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list in 10/2018. The list notes a report in 1988 of abuse occurring in 1967. Richardson was removed from ministry. He died in NC 3/31/2021 and was buried in his native Norwood MA.

Accused in 2006 of sexually abusing a minor at St. Michael's in Gastonia, NC 1977-1978. Removed from ministry. Denied the allegation. Died in 2008. Named publicly as accused on 2/14/2019 by the Diocese of Richmond after it received information from the Diocese of Charlotte. Charlotte's Review Board found credible an allegation against Scales. He had assignments in both dioceses. Included on the Raleigh diocese's list updated 10/22/2019, noting abuse occurring outside of the diocese in 1966, reported in 2019. Included on the Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/2019.

Per the Abbey Abuse Disclosure Project, one alleged victim made a statement in 9/2002 that Schulte sexually molested him in 10/1988. Schulte was also accused of knowing about abuse by Dunstan Moorse and John Kelly. He was supposedly living a restricted lifestyle at St. John's but traveled frequently, including to Italy. Named in a lawsuit in 5/18/2010 by two brothers claiming abuse in 1984-1986. The suit settled in 3/2011 with other claims against the Abbey. A new suit was filed in Puerto Rico in 4/2011. Schulte's name was included on the Abbey's list 12/9/2013 and the St. Cloud Abbey's list 1/3/2014. On the Raleigh diocese's list in 10/2018, which notes a report in 1992 of abuse in 1985 in the Raleigh diocese.

From Colombia. Removed in 9/2009 after allegations that he sexually abuse a 16-year-old boy in 5/2009 in Brunswick County, NC. The situation was not made public until Sepulveda was arrested on 1/8/2010 and charged with two counts of sex crimes against a juvenile. He denied the allegations. Sepulveda was a former pastor of Maria Reina Parish in Mt. Olive, Santa Teresa Mission in Beulaville, and Santa Clara Mission in Magnolia. Prosecutors dropped criminal charges as of 7/2012. Included on the Raleigh diocese's list in 10/2018. Noted to be suspended, and that a Vatican trial was in progress. Laicized by 2/7/2020.

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Glenmary Home Missioners on its list 10/11/2019. Worked in Bogota, Colombia; NC; OH; VA; GA. Died in 1975. Included on the Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/2019. The Charlotte diocese noted that it received a report in 12/2014 that Smith sexually abused a boy in the 1960s on Boy Scout camping trips. Also, it said the Glenmary order told them in late 2019 that it had received an allegation in 1993 of abuse in the 1960s at Buck Creek, which had a summer youth camp, and an allegation in 2001 of abuse in 1963 in Boone, NC, when Smith was pastor of St. Elizabeth parish. On the Raleigh diocese's list updated 2/7/2020 (erroneously as a CICM priest). Included on the Cincinnati archdiocese's list in 1/2020. Also on the Richmond diocese's list.

Transferred out of the diocese in 10/1999. Arrested in 4/2008. Charged with the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old boy in 1999 at St. Matthew's in Charlotte, where he was assigned 1997-1999. At the time of his arrest, Yurgel was chaplain at St. Mary's in Passaic, NJ. He was extradited to Charlotte and released on bail. His victim filed civil suit against the Diocese and Capuchins in 10/2008, saying the Diocese knew of the abuse before his transfer to NJ and the case was covered-up. Yurgel pleaded guilty to one count in 2/2009 and was sentenced to 7 years 8 months -10 years in prison. The lawsuit settled in 5/2010 for $1.23M ($1M from Diocese and $230K from the Order). Yurgel was released from prison in 8/2016. He moved from NC to NJ in 11/2016. Per the Capuchins, he was defrocked in 2010. A lawsuit in 12/2020 claimed the sexual abuse of a boy, ages 5-7, at St. Matthew's, beginning in 1997.