Database of Publicly Accused

Parish priest. Worked in Archdioceses of Boston and NYC and Dioceses of Richmond VA and Springfield MA. Director of a summer camp for boys in the 1960s in Wellesley, MA. Several lawsuits. At least four men have come forward alleging abuse by Ahern as children, three of them at the camp. Also accused of abusing a Richmond VA altar boy 1959-61. The Stigmatines knew of allegations as early as 1979. Ministry restricted by 1988. Ahern died 2/1/01. Omitted from 2011 Boston AD database because he was an order priest. Settlement of $75K from Springfield diocese to one man in 2008. Added to Springfield diocese's list 6/2/21.

Named publicly as accused by the Arlington diocese on its list in 2/2019. Rector of St. Frances de Sales in Purcellville 1984 until his removal in 1993, after an allegation of sexual abuse. Dismissed from his order in 2007. Living in NJ when arrested in 3/2020; charged with "carnal knowledge of a minor between 13 and 15 years old." The abuse happened in VA over several months in 1985. His victim reported the abuse to the church in the 1990s when he was in his early 20s, and received a settlement. Convicted in 12/2022. Sentenced in 6/2023 to eight years in prison and required to register as a sex offender for life.

Monsignor. Retired in 2011. The diocese announced in 2/14/20 that it had received an allegation that Barton sexually abused a child in the early-1970s. Suspended from active ministry pending investigation. The Diocesan Review Board presented its findings to Bishop Knestout, who determined that the allegation was credible, but could not be substantiated because the accuser was deceased and Barton could not be interviewed due to "health conditions." Therefore, Barton's name would not be added to the diocese's list of those with credible and substantiated allegations.

Died 6/14/71. Accused in a complaint that resulted in a settlement in 2020 with the diocese's RICP program of sexually abusing a girl, including rape, beginning when she was age 9, during 1958-60. The abuse allegedly began after the girl's mother died and the priest befriended the family. Beattie would take the girl on rides in his car, where the abuse allegedly took place. Beattie was assigned to St. Ann's during the time in question. Beattie's name was added in 7/21 to the diocese's list of those with a credible and substantiated claim.

Admitted in 1988 that he sexually abused a 14-year-old boy in 1982. He apologized to the victim and paid for his college education and counseling. Worked at the Petersburg Federal Correctional Center as chaplain for many years. Per a 1989 note, the Catholic chaplain regional superintendent for prisons knew of history. Forced to retire 8/02 after victim came forward. Criminally indicted; pled guilty to sodomy 1/03 and sentenced to indefinite supervised probation. On Sex Offender Registry. On diocese's list 2/13/19. Laicized.

"Frank." Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Maryland Province on its list in 12/2018. It notes a "single allegation of unwanted kiss." Incident alleged to have occurred around 1985 in Buckingham, VA. Bourbon died in 2007. On the Jesuits MD Province list 12/17/2018. Included on the Scranton diocese's list 12/22/2018. Added to Baltimore archdiocese's list in 2/2019. On Richmond diocese's list 2/13/2019 (with middle initial R.) On the Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/2019. Mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.

Ordained for the Diocese of Richmond. Incardinated into the Diocese of Arlington in 1974. Arrested in 2005, indicted on charge of possession of or attempt to possess child porn. Placed on leave. Pled no contest in 10/05. Sentenced in 12/05 to three years in jail, suspended in favor of two years probation. A man came forward just before sentencing to allege that Brooks had exposed himself to the man when the man was age 13. On the diocese's list in 2/19. It notes that Brooks was removed from public ministry in 2004 and retired with no active ministry or faculties in 2006.

Monsignor. Ordained for the Diocese of Richmond. Incardinated into the Diocese of Arlington when it was created in 1974. In 6/2023 the Arlington Diocese announced that the Diocese of Richmond's Review Board had deemed credible an allegation that Browne sexually abused a minor, prior to 1974. Browne died in 8/2002. The allegation was reported after his death.

Pastor of Holy Cross Church in Garrett Park MD when placed on leave by the Archbishop of Washington D.C. in 9/22, due to allegations that Buchmeier sexually abused minors prior to ordination. The abuse allegedly occurred in Northern VA. Buchmeier was a U.S. Army officer for 15 years before entering the priesthood.

Placed on leave in 5/07 after allegations of inappropriate conduct with a minor 1992-94. Matter reported to police. Buckner denied the allegations. Working with Catholic Distance University when placed on leave from St. Veronica's in Chantilly. On diocese's list in 2/19. It notes that the allegation was deemed credible by the Diocesan Review Board. Buckner contested the finding, but waived his right to "further canonical recourse" due to poor health. Retired without faculties in 2018.

Named publicly as accused by the Saint Vincent Archabbey Benedictines in Latrobe PA in 8/18. Died in 1985. An allegation was reported to the archabbey in 2006 that Burkhardt sexually abused a minor in 1961 or 1962, while he was assigned to James Barry Robinson School in Richmond VA. Included on the Richmond diocese's list 2/13/19 (name spelled Burkhardt).

Taught in PA schools, pastor of PA and WV parishes, taught at St. Francis University in Loretto PA for 20 years, VP there 1976-83. Retired to Franciscan retirement facility in Frederick County VA. Arrested 7/26/17, charged with taking indecent liberties with a child by a person in a custodial or supervisory relationship. Complaint was said to have first been filed in 2003 of abuse by Cain of a 15-year-old girl, at her home in Fairfax. First reported in 2004, later withdrawn, reopened in 5/17. Cain died 5/12/18.

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese of Richmond in July 2021. Creamer was incardinated into the Diocese of Arlington when it was formed in 1974. The abuse occurred prior to 1974. Died November 16, 1991.

Ordained for the Richmond diocese. Appointed Bishop of Memphis, TN in 1970. Resigned 1982. Died 12/7/85. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Richmond diocese on its list 2/13/19. Allegation was reported after his death. Included in the Memphis diocese's report 2/28/20.

Parochial vicar at Sacred Heart of Jesus in Winchester when placed on leave 3/18 due to "allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor ... between 2001 and 2004." Fairfax County Police were investigating. Duesterhaus denied the allegation. Per the diocese, Duesterhaus was assigned in the past to parishes in Falls Church, Annandale, Ashburn, Stafford, Fredericksburg, Lake Ridge, Woodridge, and South Riding. He also worked outside the diocese as a military chaplain 1996-99, 2004-06, 2008-09, 2011-12. The diocese stated it was informed 1/17/19 that criminal charges would not be pursued by the Stafford County Commonwealth Attorney, after other jurisdictions decided the same. Also, the Diocesan Review Board determined that "a credible allegation....had not been made... ." Duesterhaus was no longer on administrative leave and he was allowed to complete graduate studies.

Named publicly as accused by the Richmond diocese on its list 2/13/19. Noted to have been removed in 1988. Worked in a number of dioceses including Boston MA, New Orleans LA, Birmingham AL, and Natchez-Jackson MS. Died in 1988. 

Pastor of St. Francis de Sales in Purcellville when placed on leave in 12/18 during investigation of possible boundary violations with a minor and adults. Denied allegations. Sheriff's Office investigated; no criminal charges filed, as announced 12/14/18. Diocese was to do an internal investigation in relation to its Code of Conduct for Clergy.  Bishop Burbridge announced in 9/19 that Escalante admitted to "unbecoming" behavior with the adults, and that the priest resigned from his parish and was on leave of absence. Also, the diocese's review board found the minor to be believable but that Escalante's behavior wasn't sexual abuse as defined by Canon Law and Diocesan child protection policies. 

Named publicly as accused by the Richmond and Arlington dioceses on their lists in 2/19. Laicized. Died in 1980. Allegation made after Findlay's death.

Priest of the Maronite diocese of Brooklyn. Arrested in Richmond in 1982, charged with molesting a youth. Convicted. Sentenced to 11 years in prison (10 years suspended). Ordered to never be around children and to therapy at St. Luke's. On HI sex offender register as of 5/15/11. On Richmond diocese's list 2/15/19. Noted to have been removed in 1988.

Goodman admitted when confronted by the diocese in 1994 to sexually abusing a teenage boy at St. John Vianney Prep Seminary and at a parish in 1976-79. He was sent to St. John Vianney Hospital in PA for treatment. His victim came forward again in 2002 and demanded the story be made public. Goodman was forced to retire without privileges 8/02. Other alleged perpetrators at the school were Steven Rule and John Leonard. In 3/19 a man stated publicly that he told the diocese in 2016 that Goodman abused him 1966-67 as a teenage altar boy at Holy Cross parish in Lynchburg. The Review Board reportedly deemed the allegation credible and sent the case to the Vatican, which declined to laicize Goodman. Police began an investigation, then dropped it due to the priest's "mental condition." On diocese's list 2/13/19. Died in 2021.

Named publicly as accused by the Richmond and Arlington dioceses on their lists in 2/19. Died in 1984. Allegation received after Kamerdze's death.

Ordained for the Diocese of Charleston S.C. Left the priesthood prior to the late 1960s. Married. Accused in 1998 of abusing his two stepchildren during 1972-1976. Pleaded no contest to criminal charges in 1998. Received a 3-year probated sentence with registration as a sex offender.

Ordained for the Richmond diocese. Requested transfer to the Arlington diocese in 1984. Convicted in 1984 of a misdemeanor charge involving a 12-year-old girl. Sentenced to counseling. Served in "limited ministry" 1985-96. Retired in 1996. Laicization requested by Bishop Loverde in 2002 and announced in 7/04. Name included on the the Arlington diocese's list in 2019. Died 6/23/21 in Hudson OH, age 93.

Allegations in 1996 resulted only in evaluation. Removed in 5/02 after recent allegations of old abuse when he was at St. John Vianney Seminary; reinstated by Bishop Sullivan in 6/02 after he overruled the review committee. Big outcry over the decision. Civil suit in 10/03 later dismissed on SOL. Criminal charges in 2003; sentenced in 3/04 to two consecutive 12-month jail terms (suspended) and probation. Removed again in 1/04. Resigned from priesthood. Died in 2015. On diocese's list 2/13/19.

Named publicly as accused by the Richmond diocese on its list 2/13/2019 (with ordination year erroneously as 1955; he was ordained in 1959). Taught at seminaries in Mountain View CA, Kaneohe HI and Kenmore WA, and placed with the Sulpician Fathers for several years in Baltimore MD. Last brief assignment was at Holy Comforter Parish in Charlottesville VA, apparently no longer with the Sulpicians. Per the Richmond diocese, Leveille was removed from ministry in 1973 and died in 1994.

Retired in 5/2023. In 7/2023 the Diocese announced that it had received an allegation that Lewis sexually abused a child in the 1980s, while assigned to St. Anne's in Bristol. Suspended from public ministry pending investigation. Lewis denied the allegation.

Named publicly as accused by the diocese in 6/20. Subject of allegations child sexual abuse, occurring in 1986 while assigned to Christ the King Catholic School in Norfolk. Took leave of absence in 1988 and had not ministered in the diocese since. Went on to a career as an English professor. Faculties were suspended at some point prior to the allegations. The diocese announced in 1/21 that it had determined that the allegations were not credible.

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/19. Died in 1969. Allegation received after McConnell's death.

Admitted in 10/19 to "sexual contact" on once occasion with a minor while assigned to St. Thomas Becket in Reston 1992-95. Resigned from his position as pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle, removed from ministry. Police report filed. Added to diocese's list of credibly accused.

Chair in 2006 of Federation of Vietnamese Catholics in the U.S.A. Removed from active ministry at St. John's, Dinwiddie, in 7/11 after a recent complaint of sexual abuse of a minor more than 30 years prior, reportedly while attending St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, LA. Diocese investigated. Pham "admitted the accusation is true and the incident did occur." There is a possible gap in his assignments between 1988 and 1991. On Richmond diocese's list 2/13/19.

Named publicly as accused by the Richmond diocese on its list 2/13/19. Born 7/17/1918. Died 1/20/1994.

Named publicly as accused by the Richmond and Arlington dioceses on their lists in 2/19. Died in 2002. Allegation reported after Rea's death.

Monsignor. Chancellor from 1980; vicar general from 1986. In 1992 a man accused Reinecke of sexually abusing him when he was a 13-year-old altar boy in 1967-1968, on an overnight trip to Williamsburg. Reinecke performed oral sex on the boy. Reinecke apologized and died by suicide in 1992. Another man then alleged fondling during an overnight trip to Williamsburg in 1969. In 2007, the Review Board deemed credible a woman's 2006 allegation of abuse in the late 1960s, when she was a child in the Richmond diocese. Included on the Richmond and Arlington diocese's lists in 2/2019.

Entered the convent in 1957. "Sr. M. Frances Therese". Dismissed from her vows in 1974 for "familiarity," yet allowed to teach in Catholic schools for 21 years; continued to abuse boys and at least one girl. Abuse included intercourse with at least one boy, starting at age 12. Also gave children pornography and encouraged them to be sexual with each other. Convicted 7/13/04 of felony sexual abuse of a 10-year-old boy in 1969-70. Sentenced in 9/04 to 6 months in jail. Sued in 2004 in VA and PA. Living in Drexel Hill, PA as of 1/09.

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/19. Died in 1989. Allegation received after Rizer's death.

Named publicly as accused by the Santa Fe archdiocese on its list 9/12/2017 (misspelled Rodriguiez). Noted to have been priest of the Diocese of Richmond, assigned to Via Coeli in Jemez Springs in 1965. Had a psychology practice in Albuquerque 1966-1986. Charged in 7/1993 in VA with fondling an 11- or 12-year-altar boy in 1966 while assigned to Holy Comforter Church in Charlottesville VA. Reportedly was abruptly removed from the parish due to allegations and sent to Via Coeli for treatment. In 1993 Rodriguez was a clinical psychologist at the CA Men's Colony prison in CA.

Accused in 8/02 of abuse in 1976 at St. John Vianney Seminary. Removed; sent out of state for psychological evaluation. Reinstated in 1/02 after the diocesan commission ruled that the "inappropriate" conduct that took place did not warrant removal. Removed again in 4/11 for inappropriate behavior which did "not involve a minor." On diocese's list 2/13/19. Status listed as "suspended."

While a teacher at a Catholic high school, Rutledge was accused of assaulting and emotionally battering a male student beginning in 9/95. The boy became so emotionally upset, particularly after school officials became aware of the abuse and refused to remove Rutledge, that he had to be withdrawn from school. Rutledge left the school in 1996 and began teaching at a College in PA. Civil suit filed in 1997. Settled. Still residing in the diocese per 2008 directory accessed on 7/21/08. In 3/18 noted to be pastor of a parish in the Raleigh NC diocese.

Australian. Sent to the U.S. for treatment twice related to his behavior with boys, returned to ministry each time. Allowed to work in a parish in Virginia Beach, VA. Abused at least two boys in Virginia Beach 1978-79. Australian diocese and Richmond paid settlements to at least two U.S. men. Also abused at least three youths in Australia in 1989-90, one known to have died by suicide. Pled guilty 9/10/06. Sentenced to 18 months in jail in Australia. The two U.S. victims also wanted him prosecuted in their country. On the Richmond VA diocese's list 2/13/19. Pled guilty in 2019 to abuse of three boys in the 1980s and '90s; sentenced in 7/19 to 26 months in jail. Indicted in 5/21 by a grand jury for abuse of a boy in VA in 1979.

Named publicly as accused by the Richmond and Arlington dioceses on their lists in 2/19. Died in 1981. Allegation reported after his death.

In 5/03 a person came forward to allege abuse as a teenager by Shrader. The Review Board deemed the allegation credible. Placed on leave in 6/03. By late 2003 four men and one woman had come forward with allegations of abuse (all but one as minors) by Shrader, occurring within the previous 5 or 6 years. Diocese said Shrader did not engage in sexual intercourse but that there was physical contact or verbal misconduct, such as sexual jokes or propositions. On diocese's list 2/13/19. Laicized. Died in 2012.

Ordained for the Diocese of Lafayette, IN. Incardinated into the Diocese of Richmond in 1979. Named publicly as accused by the Richmond diocese in 6/20. Alleged to have sexually abused a child in the early 1990s while assigned to St. Paul's in Portsmouth. Removed from public ministry in 2006. Status in 6/20 was "retired without priestly faculties." Added in 7/21 to the Richmond diocese's list of those against whom there is a credible and substantiated allegation.

Working in Belize in 2/19 when publicly accused by the Richmond diocese on its list 2/13/19. Subsequently removed 2/20/19 from public ministry in the Diocese of Belize City-Belmopan. Per Small's attorney, the allegation was of abuse in 1970. Smalls denied the allegation. He reportedly worked at the Virginia Home for Boys for eight months in 1975. He filed a defamation suit against the diocese 7/29/19.

Spent 20 years in the Navy prior to priesthood. Complaint made in 1/12 that he had been involved in sexual misconduct with a teenage boy in the late 1990s; not removed until 4/12 from position at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale. Was parochial vicar at St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax at the time of the alleged sexual misconduct. Director of the Office of Child Protection and Safety 2004-2011. Denied the allegations. Reportedly in 2/19, the diocese was unable to decide whether the allegations were credible, and Specht was granted a medical retirement shortly after he was placed on leave. In 12/21 the VA Attorney General announced that Specht was indicted by a grand jury on two felony charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of a child younger than 13, occurring in 2000. Specht was chaplain and assistant principal of St. Paul VI Catholic High School during the time in question.  Found not guilty at trial in 10/22. Per the diocese, Specht would not be returned to ministry.

A man filed suit in 8/03 alleging he was raped and battered by Summers and molested by another priest at separate times at St. James Catholic School in the 1960s. Per the suit, Summers coerced the victim by threatening to remove him from his parents' home and to stop church support of his needy parents. Also used drugs and alcohol. Two other men came forward in support of allegations. Courts ruled that individuals, not corporations, could be sured for sexual abuse. Summers died in 1992.