Fr. Bruce E. Ball

Ordained: 1978
Status: Convicted

Died: 09/15/2002
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Abused in MD and WI. Investigated in 1984 by WI law enforcement, La Crosse Bishop John Paul informed. Sheriff did not charge Ball but told the bishop he should not have contact with children. Ball allegedly had made sexual comments to children and invited them to his cabin to sleepover. Reassigned to another parish, had contact with children. Pleaded no contest in 1993 to criminal charge of sexual contact with a 12-year-old boy during a therapy session. Four known victims. Sentenced to five years prison; released in 3/1996. On parole through 12/1997. Laicized at his own request as of 8/11/1997. Settlement of $100K. In 1993, the La Crosse diocese told Baltimore of two claims against Ball during the time he was a seminarian for La Crosse in Baltimore in the mid-1970s. Per the La Crosse diocese’s list in 1/2020, Ball died 9/15/2002. Included on Baltimore’s list of accused. Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General’s Report. 


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