Fr. Raymond Joseph Hemmerle

Ordained: 1967
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Louisville KY

A man told the Archdiocese in 9/2001 that Hemmerle molested him at age 11 in the mid-1970s at a summer camp. He wanted Hemmerle to get counseling and not work with youths. Went to police in 1/2002 when Church officials did not act. Hemmerle was placed on leave. Reinstated in mid-2002, Church saying police had investigated and closed the case.A later article said police had not completed investigating. Active until 5/2014 when removed after a new allegation of abuse in the 1970s. Had been pastor of St. Francis and Holy Cross parishes in Marion County, KY. Indicted 9/18/2014 on six counts of sodomy and three charges of sex abuse on claims made in 5/2014. Found guilty in 11/2016 in the first case. Sentenced in 2/2017 to 7 years in prison. Pleaded guilty to reduced charges in the second case in 5/2017 in plea deal; sentenced 6/29/2017 to 2 years in prison, in addition to the 7 years already serving. Denied parole in 12/2017. Appealed in 3/2020, said “no intent to abuse.” Appeal denied in 1/2019. Included on the Archdiocese’s list in 2019. Released from prison 10/1/2021. Was to be monitored by a parole officer. Not required to register as a sex offender.

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