Database of Publicly Accused

Report to police in 10/2001 that Allgaier had viewed child pornography on his computer. Archbishop Curtiss knew of the allegation in 2001 yet reassigned Allgaier to a middle school after he had been evaluated by a psychologist. Removed from ministry in 2/2002 just prior to charges being filed. Sent to treatment. Pleaded guilty to attempted possession of child pornography for using computers to view internet photos of children involved in sex acts. Sentenced to two years probation. Left the priesthood in 2005. Was on the state sex offender registry, from which he was removed in 2014. Included on the Diocese's list 11/30/2018.

Placed on leave, then retired 2017. In 8/2018 Benton's 37-year-old nephew stated publicly that the priest sexually abused him as a child in the 1990s, during a sleepover at the rectory. Benton denied the allegations. Case reported to the diocese then sent to the Vatican. In 5/2018 the Vatican responded that any further action was up to the bishop. Bishop Conley imposed restrictions on Benton's ministry. The nephew said he knew of another victim, allegedly abused at age 14 when Benton was a seminarian. He said the boy told another priest, who did nothing. Benton was reportedly also accused of the sexual abuse of a child in 2000 and may have been sent away for treatment. In 8/2018 Benton was living at a home for retired priests. Included on the diocese's list 4/2/2019. Per the NE Attorney General's 11/2021 report, there are three known victims.

From Racine WI. Ordained at age 42 for the Archdiocese of Omaha. Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list 11/30/2018, which notes a report received in 1994 that Buckson sexually abused a teenage boy in the early 1990s. Resigned in 2002. Buckson reportedly was in Bolivia in 2003. Included in the NE Attorney General's report in 11/2021.

Permanently removed from ministry in 10/18. Name included on the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Per the list updated 3/1/19, Cleary had multiple allegations against him. The NE A.G.'s report in 11/21 notes five victims, all altar boys, ages 8-16, abused in the 1970s and 1980s. All five reported their abuse to the diocese in 2018. Cleary stated that the abuse "likely" occurred. No prosecution due to the statute of limitations. Laicized in 2019.

Per news reports in 2003, Colbert was accused of abuse of a boy in 1988 at Boys Town. The priest reportedly left Boys Town for MO abruptly and quietly in 1988 during an investigation of the allegation. He had been a Boys Town teacher and counselor for three years. Per his order, the case was reviewed in 2002; Colbert was allowed to remain in ministry after a determination that the incident was not sexual misconduct. A civil suit filed in 10/2005 claimed Colbert sexually abused a boy in the mid-1980s at Boys Town, and that he also abused other boys there. Placed on leave by the Jefferson MO diocese where he was working. The suit was dismissed by court in 5/2006 after the plaintiff's attorney withdrew. [Some earlier news articles had Richard as first name; others had Robert. Richard is correct, per the 1989 Official Catholic Directory].

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 4/2/2019. Per the 11/2021 NE Attorney General's report, there are two known victims. One reported to Bishop Bruskewitz in 2003 that Copenhaver sexually abused him at ages 15-16 in the early 1990s; the other was an adult male in his mid-20s who reported his recent abuse by Copenhaver to a parish priest in 2004. Copenhaver was allowed to stay in ministry until 2012, when his faculties were revoked and public ministry restricted. Copenhaver died in 4/2021.

In 10/2025 the Diocese announced that Courtney was recently accused of having sexually abused a girl in 1993, when he was a seminarian. The Diocese investigated and determined that Courtney's ministry was to be limited to providing spiritual support to the diocese's retired priests. Courtney reportedly denied the allegation. In 2018 Courtney was placed on leave after he was accused of having sexual contact with an adult woman.

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Columbans U.S. Province on its list in 2/22. One allegation of abuse noted, occurring in the 1960s. Per the Official Catholic Directory, Crafton was assigned throughout the 1960s to the Columbans' Foreign Mission Society headquarters in Omaha, NE. He died in 1989.

Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 4/2/2019. Died in 1986. Per the 11/2021 NE Attorney General's Report, there are seven known victims, all boys, ages 11-16. The abuse spanned Crowley's entire priesthood. One victim sent a letter in 2001 or 2002 to Bishop Bruskewitz - it was returned and the diocese did not respond.

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/2018. Multiple allegations of abuse, occurring while assigned to Creighton Prep in Omaha in the 1970s and 1980s. Died 8/28/2007, age 84. The Province's revised list 2/21/2020 notes incident(s) also alleged to have occurred in 1998.

Dvorak, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Parish in Omaha since 2007, was removed 4/12 after allegations he had sexually abused a female student, ages 15-17, 1970-1972. He was assigned to Sacred Heart/St. Mary's Parish in Norfolk, NE 1970-1974. Dvorak denied the allegations. The diocesan review board deemed the allegation credible. No criminal charges due to the statute of limitations. In 4/13, the Vatican ordered a church trial in Omaha. Sentenced 11/22/13 to a life of prayer and penance. On the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Included in the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, which noted allegations by several women, one alleging abuse by Dvorak when she was 15-16 in 1987. She came forward to the diocese in 2012; the review board found insufficient evidence to support her claim.

Ordained for Omaha. Joined the SOLT Order 1996. Worked in NE, MO, KS, TX. Privileges removed in 10/08 after allegations of abuse in the San Antonio archdiocese. A 4/10 TX suit alleged Fiala raped a 16-year-old boy at least twice, at gunpoint, in 2007-08. In 4/10, Omaha said it knew in 2002 of his advances toward a minor in the mid-1980s. Indicted in 8/10 in TX. Arrested 9/3/10 in KS; returned to TX. Released on bail. Settlement of lawsuit with San Antonio and Omaha archdioceses, Corpus Christi diocese and Order in 01/2011. Arrested in Dallas 11/18/10 for trying to hire a hit-man to kill accuser. Convicted in Dallas on solicitation of murder 5/17/12. Sentenced to 60 years in prison. Died in 7/17. On Omaha archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes two victims. On Kansas City KS list 1/25/19. On Corpus Christi and San Antonio lists 1/31/19. The 11/21 NE A.G. report counts four known victims, one of whom died by suicide.

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list 11/30/2018. Report to the Archdiocese in 1996 of abuse of a 17-year-old male high school student in Phoenix for several years, beginning in 1971. Finch left Omaha in 1963 for a military chaplaincy. Moved in 1969 to the Diocese of Phoenix. Became chaplain in 1992 to a cloistered convent in the Diocese of Albany. Left there in early 2018. Added to Albany's list 12/3/2019. Included in the NE Attorney General's 11/2021 report.

Parish priest; teacher at St. Piux X High School. Suspended in 3/2025 after he told his therapist that he had rubbed up against male students and taken pictures of students in public gym locker rooms. Bernardo sought in-patient psychological treatment in late 2024 and had been on administrative leave. His therapist reported the self-reported behavior to the Diocese and police began an investigation.

Named publicly as accused by the Omaha archdiocese on its list 11/30/18. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, a priest reported to the archdiocese that, when he was a teenager, Gaughan sexually abused him multiple times. Gaughan left Omaha in 1999 for the Diocese of Mandeville, in Jamaica. He died in 2009.

Named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes reports to the archdiocese in 2004 of abuse 1962, 1963-64. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, Gill's victims were girls, ages 12-13, and the archdiocese received reports of the abuse in 1994, the late 1990s, 2002 and 2004. The woman who reported her abuse to the chancery in 1994 said she did not receive a response. Gill retired in 1999 and moved to Albion, OK. He died 1/7/06.

Named publicly as accused by the Omaha archdiocese on its list 11/30/18. Noted to have been an extern priest. Reports in 2018 to the archdiocese of abuse 1980-81. Retired, left NE in 2018. Included in 2/22 on the Columbans U.S. Province list of credibly accused. One allegation noted, occurring "pre-1990," and "restricted from public ministry" since 1992. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, Glennon admitted in 1991 that he had had sexual contact with males, including with a 16-year-old boy, while living in Taiwan in the 1980s. He lived at his order's headquarters in Bellvue NE 2009-2018, his ministry restricted. In 2018 he was moved out of state to a retirement facility, due to concerns that the Columbans' headquarters was used for high school retreats, and because his restrictions were violated by his involvement in a ministry regarding pornography awareness.

Removed "quietly" from his parish in 2007 after a woman reported to the Diocese her concerns about Grant's grooming behavior with her teenage son. Grant was allowed active ministry without restrictions. The woman died in 2015. She had kept a letter Grant had sent the boy in 2007, after she had reported Grant's behavior. In 2016 the son came forward to the Diocese, saying that when he was 15, Grant grabbed his genitals during a wrestling lesson. He said he felt pressured into the lesson by Grant. The Diocese acknowledged the priest's "emotionally unhealthy relationship" with the boy, but didn't believe it was sexual. The Diocese did report the matter to law enforcement, who determined that there was insufficient evidence to bring charges. The Vatican made the same determination. Grant was told by the Diocese that he was not to be alone with minors. Parishioners were not informed. In 12/2025 Grant is assigned to ministry in prisons and nursing homes.

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Columbans U.S. Province on its list in 2/22. A single allegation is noted, of abuse occurring in 1976. Hanrahan died in 1990. Per the Official Catholic Directory, he was assigned in 1976 to St. Columban in St. Columbans, NE.

Henry was placed on leave in 6/2007 after a complaint that he sexually abused a boy, age 14-15, at Boys Town in 1972, prior to ordination. Henry worked at Boys Town in the late 1960s-into the 1970s. The archdiocesan review board deemed the allegation credible. Matter forwarded to the Vatican. Henry also worked in the Omaha Diocese 1981-1984, in Bolivia 1984-1989, again in Omaha 1990-1992, and then in Peru. He transferred to the Diocese of Cleveland in 1994, where he was incardinated in 1997. Included on the Omaha archdiocese's list 11/30/1018. It notes a report to Cleveland in 2008 of abuse 1970s-1980s. Laicized, per the Cleveland diocese's list in 6/2019. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/2021, there are six known victims, all boys, ages 12-16.

Pleaded no contest in 1998 to charges of sexually assaulting a boy and making child pornography. His housekeeper discovered the porn in 1997. Served 2 1/2 years in jail, released in 2001. Named by eight in subsequent civil suits. A 2002 jury award of $800K to one. Other suits then settled. Convicted of exposing himself in a mall parking lot in 9/05. Sentenced to 120 days in jail. Sent to jail in 7/08.  Judge added four months for probation violation for masturbating in public. On archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes multiple reports to diocese and law enforcement, of child porn and sex abuse 1970s through 1990s. Laicized in 2006. Per the NE A.G. report in 11/21, Herek made pornographic images of boys from his parish and engaged in sexual misconduct with boys throughout his priesthood. The first complaint to the archdiocese was in the 1970s. There are 43 known victims or possible victims. 

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Columbans U.S. Province on its list in 2/22. Multiple allegations noted, of abuse occurring in the 1980s. Per the Official Catholic Directory, Keaney was assigned in the Philippines in the 1980s. (We are placing him in the Omaha archdiocese, where the Columban Fathers' foreign missions office was headquartered.) Keaney died in 2018 in Winchester, MA.

Named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes reports to archdiocese in 1998 of abuse 1956-1996. Kelly retired in 1995 and was removed in 2002. He died in 2003. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, Kelly allegedly sexually abused a boy 1956-1966, beginning when the boy was age 6. His victim received a settlement in 2003.

Worked in WI, NE, MA, SD, Nairobi Kenya. Nicknamed "the Monkey Priest" because he carried around a monkey hand puppet. Named publicly as accused by the Omaha archdiocese on its list 11/30/2018. Allegation noted to have been received in 2012 of abuse 1985-1987. Reportedly there were eight allegations of child sexual abuse. Per the NE Attorney General's report in 11/2021, in 1985 Kenney asked a boy age 13 or 14, to show him his penis size. Another man alleged that when he was a freshman at Creighton Prep, Kenney called him into confession and told him to lock the door and show him his penis to see if it was developing adequately. Kenney also reportedly stalked the boy. Removed in 1989 from Creighton Prep after a parent filed a report with Child Protective services. Removed in 2002. Included on the Jesuits Midwest Province list 12/17/2018. It notes multiple allegations of abuse, occurring while assigned to Creighton Prep 1980-1987. Permanently removed from public ministry. Living in a Jesuit community from 2003. Twelve more men told a newspaper reporter in 2019 that Kenney abused them as Creighton Prep students, with the same modus operandi. The Province's 2/21/2020 revised list shows years of alleged abuse while at Creighton Prep as 1978-1987. Laicized 11/3/2020.

Kruse was charged in 10/04 with two counts of possession of child pornography. Investigation had been ongoing since at least 8/04. Pornography was found on a computer at St. Wenceslaus parish. Kruse was placed on leave in 8/04 "for personal reasons" from his assignment in O'Neill, NE. That parish did not learn the reason for his leave until late 9/04. Pleaded guilty. Sentenced to one year probation. Voluntarily left the priesthood in 5/05. On the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Noted to have been laicized in 2006. Per the NE A.G. report in 11/21, Kruse's personnel file includes a number of letters from priests and parishioners during 1995-2002 concerned about Kruse's grooming behavior with teenage boys.

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Columbans U.S. Province on its list in 2/22. Multiple allegations noted, occurring in the 1970s. Per the Official Catholic Directory, Lamby was assigned in the 1970s to the Philippines, the Diocese of Buffalo NY and the Archdiocese of Boston MA. At some later point he became a U.S. Air Force chaplain. Placing him for now in the Diocese of Omaha, where the Province is headquartered. Lamby left the Columbans in 2000 and died in OH in 2002.

In 2006 Maresh exposed himself to a woman and her children, a boy age 2 and a girl age 4, who were walking near an elementary school. The incident happened when Maresh opened his car door and said something to the woman. He was later arrested and pleaded guilty to public indecency. He was sentenced to 50 hours of community service, 30 days in jail and a $250 fine. After treatment at St. Luke Institute in MD he was returned in 2008 to public ministry. Included in the NE A.G.'s 11/2021 report. He remained in active ministry in 2/2026.

Assistant priest at St. Teresa's in Lincoln in the 1980s when accused of molesting at least three boys, ages 11 and 12, on separate occasions within two years of ordination. Criminal charges were filed in 7/1987 after one of the boys came forward. Found guilty in 1988. Served approximately three years in prison, released in 1/1991. Diagnosed in prison as a pedophile with "obsessive-compulsive personality disorder with paranoid and schizoid features." A 4/2002 story said he was a graduate student in criminal justice at Temple University in Philadelphia. Said to be using an assumed name. Laicized in 2004. Included on the diocese's list 4/2/2019. Per the NE A.G. report released in 11/2021, there are five known victims. Margand was struck and killed by a car in a hit-and-run accident while out walking  9/1/2022. He had been living in Deptford Township, NJ.

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list 11/30/2018. It notes a report to the Archdiocese in 1998 of abuse ("disputed") of two 1970-1975. Its list updated 3/1/2019 notes a report in 2019 of abuse. McMahon retired in 1997 and died in 2011. Per the NE Attorney General's report in 11/2021, there are at least three known victims, all male, ages 9-22, abused in the 1970s.

Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list 11/30/18. It notes reports in 1999 and 2004 of abuse in 1999. Merkel was removed in 2004 and laicized in 2006. In 1/22, in a hearing before the NE state legislature, a woman stated that Merkel sexually assaulted her when she was 15. She said she reported the abuse to law enforcement in 1999 and that Merkel admitted the abuse. She was unable to press charges due to the statute of limitations. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, the abuse included "explicit phone sex; inappropriate touching; emotional abuse." His victim told a NE DOJ investigator that the archdiocese treated her like she was a "criminal" 

Monsignor. Retired in 1999. Faculties revoked, public ministry restricted 2002-2005. Two men filed separate suits in 2003 alleging abuse by Murray in the 1970s. Murray denied all the charges and asked that one of the suits be dismissed due to the statute of limitations. In 3/2004 the diocese settled with one plaintiff, and the other in 10/2004. Murray died in 2016. His name was included on the diocese's 4/2/2019 list of those with substantiated allegations against them. Per the NE Attorney General's Report released in 11/2021, Murray "abused numerous students in the 1960s and 1970s in York, NE." Murray had access to his victims as a parish priest and Boy Scouts leader. He had also been superintendent of schools. There are at least nine known victims, ages 10-13. The abuse occurred in the church sacristy, parish rectory and on camping trips. The diocese knew of Murray's behavior in the early 1970s and allegedly resisted the school board's attempts to have him removed.

From India. Worked in the archdiocese 1997-2018. Sent to treatment in 2013 after allegations of inappropriate touching of an 18-year-old male (a minor, per diocese). Returned to ministry. Removed in 6/18 due to an allegation of sexual assault of a 21-year-old man in 5/18. Not made public until 10/18. On diocese's list 11/30/18. It notes "After professional assessment, was not prohibited from ministry." Later removed from ministry and moved to Grand Rapids MI, where he sought faculties. They were declined. Per the archdiocese's updated list in 10/21, Nigli was "permanently barred from public ministry by the Holy See in 2021." The 11/21 NE A.G.'s report shows that Nigli engaged in aggressive grooming behavior and unwanted sexual touching of teenage boys and young men, ages 16-21.

Accused of sexual abuse of a boy while at Holy Ghost Parish 1984-1985, beginning when the boy was age 12. The abuse ended when Palmese was transferred to FL. Archdiocese said it received the allegation 12/30/13 and informed law enforcement. Assignments included parishes in New York NY, Topeka KS, Omaha NE and Orlando FL. Retired in 2009. Palmese died 2/2/12. On Omaha archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Added to Kansas City KS archdiocese's list as of 3/6/20. Included in the NE A.G.'s 11/21 report.

Named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes reports received in 1993 and 2010 of abuse in 1967.  In 1993 Peschel denied the allegation; in 2010 he admitted to it. He retired and was removed in 2010. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, Peschel sexually abused a girl over several years, beginning when she was age 17 in the late 1960s. She informed a Texas diocese in 1992, and the Omaha archdiocese in 1993 and in 2010. He appears to have been kept in ministry until the report and his admission of the abuse in 2010. The Archdiocesan Review Board deemed the allegations credible.

Retired in 1994 from the Omaha archdiocese. Working as a part-time priest in FL when he was placed on leave in 2002 after an allegation that he had sexually abused a teenage boy in Omaha in the 1970s. His accuser said Petrusic would take nude photos of him when he was showering or changing at a lake cabin, and grope him. A second man also made allegations of abuse during the same time period. Placed on permanent leave in 8/02. Died in 2/10. On Omaha archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, one of the two victims reported his abuse to the archdiocese in 1987, and from 1993-1995 the archdiocese received three anonymous letters, the senders alleging sexual abuse as minors by Petrusic. After the 1987 allegation, Petrusic was sent to MA for treatment, then reassigned to an Omaha parish.

In 10/20 the archdiocese announced that it investigated recent claims against Richling of the sexual abuse of minors, and deemed the allegations substantiated. Richling retired in 1997 and continued involvement in ministry until at least 2006. Died 12/23/19. Per the NE Attorney General in 11/21, Chancellor Rev. Michael Gutsgell knew in 1980 of allegations against Richling, and did nothing. Included in 10/21 on the Omaha archdiocese's list. Abuse noted to have occurred 1978-81 and 1990-92. Multiple allegations of abuse of boys.

Named publicly as accused on the Archdiocese's list 11/30/2018. Reports to the Archdiocese in 1993, 2002 and 2010 of abuse 1962 and 1972. Two victims. The 1972 allegation was disputed. Rizzo was removed in 2002 and retired in 2003. Per the NE Attorney General's Report in 11/2021, Rizzo admitted in 2002 to sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl in 1962. The girl was a family member. The alleged 1972 abuse was of a 13-year-old girl, also a relative. In 2018 Rizzo was living at a retirement community for priests. 

Removed from St. Bernadette's in Bellevue 12/11 after allegation that Salanitro abused a boy 1991-94, beginning when the boy was 11 and Salanitro was assigned to Holy Cross in Omaha. He denied the allegations and took voluntary leave. Matter was reported to D.A.'s office and police. Review Board found allegation credible and referred to Vatican. Canonical trial ordered in Omaha. Laicization announced 11/22/13. On archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes reports in 2011 and 2012 of abuse 1990-94. Three victims. Per the NE A.G.'s 11/21 report Salanitro's victims were ages 11-16.

Named publicly by the archdiocese on its list in 10/21. It notes reports in 2018 and 2020 of sexual abuse, with multiple victims, 1949-1958. Saxon died in 1971. Per the NE A.G.'s report, there are four known victims, all boys, ages 13-17.

Removed in 4/02 after an allegation. Admitted to sexually abusing boys as far back as 30 years. People from two parishes said church authorities knew about the abuse for many years. Sellentin was transferred in the 1960s after allegations. Matter discussed at a meeting with a church pastor in the 1960s. Transferred again in about 1980 after complaints. Allegations of abuse in at least four parishes between 1968 and 1974. Civil suit(s) filed in 3/03. Name included on the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes reports 1968-present of abuse 1968-89, and 20-35 victims. Its 3/1/19 updated list notes 20-38 victims. Included in the NE A.G.'s 11/21 report. Laicized in 2019.

Starostka retired in 6/02 citing health problems. "Administrative dismissal" announced 8/16/02. "Information had been gathered that included an admission of past sexual abuse or misconduct or allegations that were established as credible." Died 12/24/12. On the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes reports received 2001 and 2002 of abuse 1972-1974 and 2000. Per the NE Attorney General, Chancellor Rev. Michael Gutgsell was told by a man in 2000 that his two altar boy sons had recently been inappropriately touched repeatedly by Starstoka, and in 2002 a man told Gutgsell that he was repeatedly sodomized as an 11-year-old altar boy by Straostka. Neither case was reported to police until 2004. The A.G.'s 11/21 report shows that the man victimized in the early 1970s claimed he reported his abuse to the archdiocese in the early 1980s and again in the early 1990s, and was told both times they would get back to him; they didn't. The man said he spoke with a parish priest in 1996 - again no action. After he spoke with Gutsgsell in 2002, the man was told that Starostka admitted to the abuse. Starostka's file also shows indications of complaints of grooming behavior toward other children.

Named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 11/30/19. It notes allegations received in 2008 of abuse 1982-1986. Steinhausen died in 1993. Its 3/1/19 list notes allegations received also in 2019. Per the NE A.G.'s 11/21 report, the two known victims were both boys, one 14-15 when abused, the other in his early to mid-teens. 

Resigned in 10/2018 after an Archdiocesan review of clergy. Accused in 2014 of "significant boundary violations" with young adults and minors. He denied the allegations. Sent for evaluation and treatment, returned to ministry. Included on the Archdiocese's list 11/30/2018. Reportedly resigned from ministry in 11/2018. Syring filed a defamation suit against the Archdiocese in 8/2020. It was dismissed by a lower court and lost on appeal to the NE Supreme Court. Included in the NE Attorney General's 11/2021 report, which notes, "This matter is still under investigation."

Deacon. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 11/30/18. It notes report received in 2018 of "acts" 2016-2018. Removed in 6/18. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, Thome allegedly engaged in grooming behavior toward and inappropriate touching of a girl, beginning when she was 17 in 2017. Thome was a Catholic high school teacher and the girl was a student.

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 4/2/2019. Accused of misconduct/grooming, including supplying a 19-year-old male with alcohol in 2017. He was placed on leave in 2018. Pleaded no contest to criminal charges in 3/2019.  Per the NE Attorney General's Report released in 11/2021, Townsend favored a small group of altar servers at his parish. He would have teenage boys at the rectory late into the evening, allow them to drive his car, and he took a few of them on a long trip. In early 2017 church officials gave Townsend a canonical warning, concerned that his behavior would cause scandal.