Fr. Sylvester J. Hoppe

Ordained: 1946
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

A man filed suit in California in 6/02 alleging abuse by Hoppe for three years, beginning when he was age 12 in 1951. The suit said abuse took place in MO and at Boy Scout Jamboree in California. Hoppe, age 90, was banned from celebrating mass. Accuser said he told police in 1985; no record of complaint found. Suit settled 9/03 for $10K. Two more men filed suit in 2005 alleging abuse by Hoppe in the 1950s. Hoppe died in 2002. Claims settled in 8/08 as part of $10M settlement involving 12 priests. In 12/17 the diocese confirmed that there was a seventh claim of child sexual abuse against Hoppe, dating to 1953-56. Included on the diocese’s list 9/5/19 of clergy with substantiated allegations.


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