Fr. Francis “Lery” Wendling
Priest of the St. John the Baptist Province Franciscans. Named publicly as accused by the the Archdiocese of Kansas City on 6/29/2023, with two substantiated allegations. Assigned in the archdiocese 1978-1983. Also worked in IN, NM, MI, MO, IL, TX, and Juarez, Mexico. Died 10/16/2017. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese’s list in 8/2023, which notes he was assigned to the House of Prayer in Jemez Springs in 1977. Added in 12/2023 to the Diocese of Gallup’s list of credibly accused, where he was assigned 1962-1968 and 1968-1973. Included on the Our Lady of Guadalupe Province Franciscans list of credibly accused as of 1/2024. Included in 11/2025 on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s list.
Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.
Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.
