Fr. William R. Kantner
Documents released in 4/2010 show that in 2002 the Vicar General of the Memphis diocese found credible an allegation that Kantner had abused a teenage boy over several years in the late 1970s. In 2004 the Bishop wrote a letter of recommendation that allowed Kantner to work on a mission trip to Mexico; the Bishop admitted later that he may have put children in harm’s way. Kantner denied abuse. He worked in the Allentown diocese 2001 and 2002, 2003 and 2004 and was back in Memphis in 2005. In 2006 a former seminarian complained that Kantner had subjected him to aggressive behavior and sexual advances years prior. The Diocese called the allegations “inconclusive.” Kept in ministry, sent to counseling. Kantner died 2/17/2013. Included in the Diocese’s 2020 report of those with credible allegations against them of the sexual abuse of minors.
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