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Total Individuals: 52


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Fr. Abraham Anthony

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Ordained: 1986
Status: Charged

Diocese: Diocese of Fargo ND

From the Diocese of Simla-Chandigarh, India. Also known as Anthony Abraham. Charged in 4/00 with gross sexual imposition, sexual assault, and disorderly conduct for allegedly having sexual contact with two boys and harassing a third. Fled the country before he could be questioned. Worked as parish priest in Australia for a time and then returned to India for more parish work. By 1/04, the DA had decided not to pursue the charges. Died in 2010. On the Fargo diocese's list which notes allegations substantiated.

Fr. Timothy C. Conlon

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Order: OSC
Ordained: 1979
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Fargo ND

Removed from two AZ parishes by Gallup Diocese 1/27/2014 after two credible allegations were received from the Fargo ND diocese regarding abuse prior to ordination. He was a Crosier brother at the time in question. Had been working in Gallup Diocese since 11/2011 and was in the process of becoming incardinated. Also worked in NY, NE and Phoenix, AZ. Name included on 3/8/2014 Crosier list. Included on Included on the Gallup diocese's list of credibly accused. On Fargo's list 1/2/2020. On the Phoenix diocese's list. Per the Crosiers' list in 12/2023, Conlon may be deceased.

Fr. Norman J. Dukart

Ordained: 1967
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Bismarck ND

Transferred to Crosby ND in 1999; told Parish then of his history of sexual abuse. Parish council met with Bishop Zipfel. Bishop would not remove him. Seemed to be saying Dukart had been in therapy and had been cured. Many parishioners left the parish, returning only after Dukart was removed in 3/02. Sexually abused three boys decades prior. No criminal charges due to the statute of limitations. On the diocese's list 1/2/20. Allegations substantiated. Included in the ND A.G.'s report in 1/21. Abuse allegedly occurred in the 1970s, involving two children. Living in 2021 in Dickinson, near a preschool.

Fr. Thomas Feltman

Ordained: 2001
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Fargo ND

Suspended 5/17 after complaints of 'inappropriate activities' with youth in Wyndmere. Pastor at time of parishes in Wyndmere and Milnor. Reportedly would hug girls, his hand touching their breasts or buttocks. Law enforcement investigated, no charges brought. Suspension pending diocese's investigation. Feltman denied wrongdoing. State's attorney investigated, saying in 8/17 Feltman's behavior was inappropriate but not a sex offense, so he would not be charged.

Fr. Charles Fischer, Jr.

Ordained: 1990
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Fargo ND

Admitted in 2/02 to sexual misconduct with children. At the time he was being treated in a hospital for a "serious illness" of an unknown nature and had attempted suicide twice within four days. He named names of families. Bishop suspended his faculties and police investigated. By 5/02 he recanted his confession. No victims came forward, Prosecutor said no charges filed. May have admitted to and recanted a similar story 10 years before. Priest in residence at cathedral per diocese website 3/12.

Fr. Theophane Gonnelly

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Died: 01/26/2005
Diocese: Diocese of Fargo ND

Named publicly as accused by the Fargo diocese on its list 1/2/20. Allegations substantiated. Died 1/26/05. Per his obituary, was assigned in 1952 to Indian missions St. Michael's and St. Ann's. Musician, seminary teacher. Magician, performed for youth at summer camp and missions. Chief Judge and Director the Marriage Tribunal for the Sioux Falls diocese beginning 1979. Recalled to Blue Cloud Abbey in 1988. For several years prior to his death lived with the Servants of the Paraclete in Jemez Springs, NM, then with same order in St. Louis.

Fr. John B. Herron

Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Fargo ND

Accused publicly in 6/19 by a woman of sexually abusing her over a three-month period when she was a teenager in the 1970s, at St. Anthony of Padua parish. She said she told the diocese in the spring of 2018. Per the diocese, Herron was retired and working as a hospital chaplain outside the diocese when the allegation was received. He was suspended pending civil and canonical investigations. On 6/18/20 the diocese announced that Herron would be banned from public ministry.

Fr. Wenceslaus Katanga

Ordained: 2003
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Fargo ND

From Tanzania. Attended the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, OH. Assigned to three Fargo diocese parishes when placed leave in 4/19 during an investigation of an "interaction" with a minor while assigned to Sts. Anne and Joachim in Fargo. Investigators said an incident occurred when Katanga lived in Towner, in McHenry County, and involved a 6-year-old girl; as of 8/19 McHenry County prosecution possible. Two incidents involving the girl allegedly occurred in Fargo, but the Cass County Attorney's Office determined in 8/19 that there would be no criminal charges there due to lack of evidence and no witnesses. The diocese was to investigate after the completion of the McHenry County investigation. The state A.G. announced in 11/19 that there would be no charges, due to insufficient evidence.

Fr. Maurice G. McNeely

Ordained: 1958
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Bismarck ND

Ordained for the Diocese of Bismarck. Military chaplain at Ft. Shafter in HI 1974-77. A man filed suit fall 2011 in HI against McNeely and the Bismarck diocese alleging abuse in 1976 while McNeely was chaplain and he was an altar boy. Suit said he forced the boy to perform oral sex on him. Settled in 4/13. Worked at Holy Family Catholic Academy in Honolulu 1987-2001 and then in Las Vegas. Retired and living in MI in 2012. A woman claimed he abused her late husband in ND in the 1960s. New suit in HI 10/12. On Bismarck diocese's list 1/2/20. Allegations substantiated. Died 7/29/17.

Fr. Charles Meyer

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Order: CPPS
Ordained: 1931
Status: Accused

Died: 12/16/1997
Diocese: Diocese of Bismarck ND

Named publicly as accused by the Bismarck diocese on its list 1/2/2020. Died 12/16/1997. Added to the La Crosse diocese's list 2/5/2020, where was assigned at some point to St. Rose Convent. Included 2/7/2020 on the Diocese of Wichita's list, where he worked 1948-1951. Added in 6/2020 to the St. Cloud diocese's list, where he was pastor of St. Lawrence in Rush Lake 1966-1985. On the Cincinnati archdiocese's list in 2/2022. Meyer died 12/16/1997.

Fr. Odo Muggli

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Bismarck ND

Assumption Abbey Benedictine in Richardton. Included in the ND Attorney General's report in 1/21. Allegedly abused a minor, ages 13-17, beginning in 1971. A.G. found probable cause to prosecute, but not possible due to the statute of limitations. The investigation found that the Abbey and Diocese received a report in 1991 of the allegations against Muggli. Per the Abbey, Muggli has since been on a "safety plan," working in the Abbey's business office and not in ministry.

Fr. Luke Odor

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Ordained: 1980
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Fargo ND

From the Diocese of Aba, Nigeria. Removed in 11/12 from chaplaincy at the V.A. hospital in Bedford, MA due to allegations of abuse occurring in the early 1990s while working in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the Diocese of Fargo. Assigned to the V.A. and residing in a Stowe, MA parish from 2007. Faculties suspended by the Archdiocese of the Military and the Archdiocese of Boston. Included on the Fargo diocese's list 1/2/20. Allegations substantiated. Also added to the Diocese of Crookston's list, where he was assigned in 1995 and 1996.

Fr. John J. Owens

Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Bismarck ND

Ordained for Diocese of Bismarck, where he worked 1960-99. Fill-in for Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis near Forest Lake 1999-2004, despite Bismarck's removal of faculties in 2002. First named publicly as accused by the St. Paul- Minneapolis archdiocese on its list 10/23/14, for abuse in the Bismarck diocese. Living in Forest Lake, MN. Faculties removed in 2005 by St. Paul-Minneapolis. Ordered by Vatican to a life of prayer and penance. St. Paul-Minneapolis said it was not aware of any substantiated claim in the archdiocese. On the Bismarck diocese's list 1/2/20. It notes faculties permanently removed 4/13/10. Allegedly abused boys In the late 1960s or early '70s, along with Rev. Armour Roberts, after giving them alcohol. Owens had brought the three boys, who were high school freshmen, to visit Roberts in Leipzig. Died in 10/20.

Fr. Gregory Patejko

Ordained: 1953
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Fargo ND

From Poland, where he was ordained. Worked in the Netherlands before moving to the US in 1968. Moved in 1972 from the Diocese of Trenton NJ to the Diocese of Bismarck ND. In 1984 a young man told a priest that he had been sexually molested by Patejko in 1976 in ND. Patejko had been moved in 1981 to the Diocese of Austin TX. In 1994 Fargo quietly settled with the alleged victim. Patejko returned to Poland in 1993 and died in 1996. His accuser said he knew of at least two other victims. Included on the Fargo diocese's list 1/2/20. Allegations substantiated.

Fr. James W. Pommier

Ordained: 1954
Status: Settled

Died: 01/28/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Bismarck ND

Personnel file showed numerous allegations in 1960s and 1970s. Pommier left the Bismarck diocese in 1977 without permission of bishop. Began working in Seattle until 1985 when his faculties were removed by archbishop. Bismarck bishop also removed his faculties in 1990. May have later worked in MT. Diocese announced in 3/08 that Vatican had laicized Pommier for "ecclesiastical crimes against youth." Lived in WA until his death 1/28/12. At least four settlements. Name included on Seattle archdiocese's list 1/15/16. On Bismarck diocese's list of those with substantiated allegations 1/2/20.

Fr. Fernando Sayasaya

Ordained: 1995
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Fargo ND

Educated overseas. Ordained for the Fargo diocese. Removed 8/98 after complaint of sex abuse. Reportedly admitted to abusing 3 boys. Fled to Philippines in 12/98. Charged 12/02 in U.S. for alleged abuse of one 1995-97 and another 1995-98. Efforts to extradite him to the U.S. for prosecution were initially unsuccessful. Laicization announced 12/05. Philippine Court of Appeals ordered him extradited to U.S. 4/2012. Arrested in Calamba City, Laguna province 11/19/17; extradited 12/17. Pled not guilty 2/16/18. Pled guilty to 2 counts 5/17/18. Sentenced 10/1/18 to 20 years in prison, required to register as a sex offender. Given credit for 360 days already spent. On Fargo's list 1/2/20.

Fr. Aloysius P. Simon

Ordained: 1950
Status: Accused

Died: 10/31/1991
Diocese: Diocese of Bismarck ND

Named publicly as accused by the Bismarck diocese on its list 1/2/20. Allegations substantiated. Faculties permanently removed 6/18/85. Included on the Diocese of Crookston's list, where he worked 1977-78. A news article in 1989 places Simon in San Luis Obispo, CA. Died 10/31/91 in CA.

Fr. Michael A. Spegele

Order: CPPS
Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

Died: 03/16/1998
Diocese: Diocese of Bismarck ND

Named publicly as accused by the Bismarck diocese on its list 1/2/20. Allegations made after his death. Substantiated. Died 3/16/98. Added to the La Crosse diocese's list 2/5/20, where he was assigned at some point to St. Francis Hospital. Added to KC-St Joseph list as of 4/21, one substantiated allegation in the diocese noted. Included on the Cincinnati archdiocese's list in 2/22.


Fr. David D. Wild

Ordained: 1953
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Fargo ND

Removed from ministry in 1992. A man filed civil suit same year which alleged that Wild fondled him in the rectory at St. Bernard's Church in Oriska in 1966. Two more men had filed suits by 11/94. All three suits settled in 12/94. Both 1993 and 2002 Catholic Directories refer to Wild as "retired." Died 10/26/08. Included on the diocese's list 1/2/20. Allegations substantiated.

Fr. Stephen R. Zastoupil

Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Bismarck ND

Removed 3/02 from parish assignment because of 'misconduct' involving two children 31 years prior. He received years of counseling and reconciled with the families and victims. Counseling discontinued when bishop determined it was no longer necessary. He was removed under the diocese's revised policy 3/20/02. No criminal charges filed. Died 7/2/18. Included on the diocese's list 1/2/20.