Documenting the Catholic Sexual Abuse and Financial Crisis – Data on bishops, priests, brothers, nuns, Pope Francis, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Saturday, March 25, 2023
The Assignment Record Project
BishopAccountability.org has launched a
project to gather and post the assignment records of every U.S. Catholic priest who has been
accused of sexual abuse since 1940, so that vulnerable communities can be identified and
bishops' transfer policies can be determined.
See below for a brief description of
assignment records and their importance, easy ways
that you can help with this project, and our initial list
of assignment records. For a more detailed account of assignment record research and
how you can volunteer, see our guide.
Assignment Records: Why They Are Important
An assignment record lists all the
diocesan and parish appointments of a priest, including telltale periods of sick leave. A detailed
assignment record, like this assignment
record of John Geoghan created by the Boston Globe, identifies populations that have
been placed at risk, and is also cross-referenced with a list of accusations, so that the transfer
policies of the priest's bishops can be evaluated. By identifying a priests' seminary class and the
colleagues with whom he has worked, an assigment record can also begin to identify the circle of
colleagues who kept the priest's activities secret and who might even have been involved in the
abuse themselves.
But these records are dispersed and difficult to find, and
complete assignment records for most accused priests are not publicly available. We urge the U.S.
bishops to publish detailed assignment records with treatment episodes and accusation dates for
every abuser. In the meantime, we are undertaking this work of research and collection ourselves.
See our initial
collection of assignment records below. Volunteering
for the Assignment Record Project
Please send us any assignment records that
know about or come across: * In your daily newspaper reading * In your personal experience, if
you are a survivor of abuse * In the research that you've done, if you are a lawyer or a reporter
working in this area
If you would like to join the Service Record Project as a volunteer --
for a few hours, or a few hours per week, or anything in between -- please read our guide to
service record research, and email us
to let us know you're interested. This is work that you can do at a local Catholic college library
or at most central city libraries, and you can email, snail mail, or even phone us the
results.
List of Assignment Records
The staff at
BishopAccountability.org has begun to assemble a library of assignment records for accused priests
and others who figure in the crisis.Some we have developed ourselves from the Official
Catholic Directory, diocesan documents, and investigative reports. Others were created by
lawyers and investigative reporters. Others were created by the dioceses themselves and relinquished
under subpoena, or were prepared by the dioceses in response to investigation by law enforcement.
First named publicly as accused in the 8/14/2018 PA Grand Jury Report. Allegation to diocese 10/1995 of sexual abuse of a teenage boy 1975-1979. Placed on leave. Acknowledged having boys in his bed for "companionship" and possible inappropriate touching. Sent to St. Luke's Institute in MD. Returned to parish ministry in 9/1996. Withdrew from ministry in 7/2002. Settlement in 2020 in the low five figures of a claim that Zabowski sexually abused a boy, age 13, in 1974, while assigned to St. Lawrence O'Toole. The alleged abuse involved fondling and, on one occasion, Zabowski gave the boy alcohol. Included on the diocese's list of credibly accused.
Identified in 6/18/13 Report of the Audit and Review of the Files of the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph as a deceased friar with confirmed reports of sexual abuse of minors. Zach's name is included on this list without any additional information on claims against him. Spent several years at St. Lawrence Seminary as teacher and novice master, then became a hospital chaplain. Died 3/22/97.
Pastor of St. Michael's in Findlay when arrested 8/18/20 by the FBI on multiple charges of sex trafficking. He allegedly "manipulated and coerced drug-addicted boys and men into sex." Per court records, Zacharias made a "confession video" in 2015 in which he performed oral sex on a then-adult victim. He admits to first meeting the victim when he was a seminarian and the boy was in 6th grade St. Catherine's in Toledo. The boy became drug-addicted as a teen, and Zacharias offered him money for sex to feed his habit. A second young man told the FBI he met Zacharias in first grade at St. Catherine's and that the priest began sexually abusing him as a teen, when he was drug-addicted. Zacharias was placed on leave by the Diocese.
Worked in South St. Louis, Manchester, Lemay, Krakow, Wildwood and Sullivan parishes. Retired without faculties 2010 due to allegations of financial irregularities at parish he pastored. Accused 11/17 of sexual abuse of a boy 1975-78, while assigned to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in Mehlville. Zacheis denied the allegation. Accuser, age 55, filed suit 11/15/17. On the archdiocese's list 7/26/19. Allegations substantiated. Removed from ministry.
Name first released on archdiocese's 5/22/14 revised list of accused priests and brothers. Worked in the archdiocese 1973-1982. Assignments included pastor at Assumption in Richfield 1973-1981, as administrator at St. Albert in Albertville, at St. George in Long Lake and as associate pastor at St. Casimir in St. Paul. Accused in 4/82 of sexual abuse of a minor female. Died in 1983. NOTE: List and articles refer to him as a Franciscan TOR but research indicates he was actually an Oblate priest (OMI).
Died in 1976. A woman notified the diocese in 5/07 that Zalewski "hugged her to his body" at St. Joseph church in Lincoln in 1956, when she was approximately age 12. In 2/21 a man received a settlement for $30K from the diocese. The man had come forward to allege that when he was age 11 in the summer of 1963, Zalewski sexually abused him while he was visiting a rest home that his friend's grandmother owned. He said that afterward he rode his bike to the police station in Penacook and reported the abuse.
Parish priest, became Army chaplain in 1951. Diocese received allegations in 1980 and 1986 of "unwanted sexual misconduct" by Zangari toward adult women. Sent in 1986 to St. Luke's for evaluation. Admitted to fathering a child with a former high school student. No follow-up apparent by diocese. Review by bishop in 2002 of the 1986 evaluation; he said it showed "full proof of [Zangari's] sexual misconduct with minors." Faculties removed. Died 9/23/04. Name included on diocese's list released 8/1/18. Included in the PA Grand Jury Report.
Ordained for Newark. Sent to MN in 1980 for alcoholism treatment. Ministered in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis; incardinated there in 1987. Permanently removed from ministry in 2002 due to allegation of abuse of a youth in the early 1970s in Newark. Died in 3/08 at age 67. Name included on the St. Paul and Minneapolis archdiocese's list of credibly accused in 12/13. On Newark archdiocese's list 2/13/19.
Placed on leave 11/30/07 after admitting to "inappropriate behavior" with as many as five youths in the 1970s. Victims included three brothers. Further allegations involved an 18-year-old youth and events in 2007. Sent for counseling. Zatarga kept a "travel log" of his 1976 trips with teenage boys and often mentioned their "unique physiques." Died 8/28/11. On diocese's list in 2/19.
Parish priest, teacher, KY state police chaplain. Included on the diocese's list 7/31/20 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Left active ministry in 1973. Died 5/1/83.
Per a 7/02 article, Zaunbrecher, who died in 1996, is listed as having molested children while serving as a priest. He spent time away from his ministry on "special assignment." In 1985-95, he was assigned to the Church of the Little Flower in Mobile, AL He returned to Lafayette in 1995. On Lafayette diocese's list in 4/19. It notes he retired in 1995.
Director and chaplain of Princeton University's Catholic campus ministry and Diocesan Vicar for Catholic Education in 9/19 when accused of sexually abusing a minor in 1975, prior to ordination. Denied the allegation. Resigned. On 6/16/20 the TOR Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus announced that investigations by the A.G. and Order could not substantiate the allegation and deemed it not credible. Zeis was to be reinstated.
Named publicly in 11/21 by Attorney Jeff Anderson as accused in a lawsuit filed under the NJ Victims’ Rights Bill. Retired in 1990, per his obituary. Left the priesthood and married. Died 12/8/15.
Resigned as Bishop of the Santa Rosa diocese in 1999 after a priest sued him over sexual a relationship. Ziemann left the diocese in financial debt of over $30M. A 2002 suit alleged abuse of a youth in 1968 and lasting several years. Named in a 12/03 civil suit alleging conspiracy by 28 priests to cover up abuse in the Los Angeles archdiocese. Named in L.A archdiocesan report, with three accusing him of abuse 1967-86. Lived in Tucson without faculties until his death in 10/09.
Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese of Baltimore on its list updated 6/8/20. Two people alleged sexual abuse by Ziemski in the 1960s and 1970s. He died in 1981.
On 1/03/14 the Diocese of St. Cloud released the names of 33 clergy, including Zilkoski (misspelled Zilkowski) accused of the sexual abuse of minors. Worked in Foreston, Flensburg, Little Falls and Opole. Was also Chancellor of Diocese. Died 5/19/78.
Worked in NH, MA, HI, MN, CA and WI. Given permission to operate a Christian Renewal center in WI. As such, he participated as a priest at various churches. Plaintiff in a 1993 suit alleged that Zimmer abused her 1979-80 at one of these churches in WI. Zimmer was still active in 1993 as an instructor for Catholic Seminars. Died in 1/97.
Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list 7/26/19. Died in 1981. Substantiated allegations, received after his death. Included on the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese's list 4/13/21.
In 9/08 the Fort Worth diocese announced a credible allegation that ZImmerer sexually abused a boy, age 11, while assigned to Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Decatur in 1978. Zimmerer died in 1/23/83 at age 74. As of 9/15, two more men had come forward with credible allegations of abuse at the same church. Also worked in AR, MI, WI. Name included on Little Rock's 9/10/18 list (mistakenly as Francis 'Zimmer'). On the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese's list updated 4/1/19. On the La Crosse diocese's list 1/18/20.
First publicly named as accused in the 8/14/2018 PA Grand Jury Report. The diocese knew as early as 1987 of allegations against him of child sex abuse. Sent to St. Francis Hospital for evaluation in 3/1988 after an allegation. Sent to St. Luke's Institute in 12/1988 after two reports of abuse, of boys ages 16 and 17. Another complaint 1991. Kept in ministry until placed on leave 11/1994. Returned to ministry 7/1995 after threatening diocese with legal action. Another accusation 11/1995, placed on leave. Moved to FL, then Cuba where he was murdered in 5/2001. Grand Jury found him to have been involved, along with Revs. Francis Pucci, Robert Wolk and Richard Zula, in making child porn, sharing victims, and using sadism while raping them. Their "favorite boys" would allegedly be given big gold crosses to wear to signal them as targets for other predators. Lawsuit in 11/2018. Included on the diocese's list of credibly accused.
Removed from ministry in 1993 after a man alleged physical and sexual abuse 1974-79 while Ziter was pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Selma. Sued in 1994. Suit dismissed on SOL. Ziter founded the Boys and Girls Club in Slma. Assignments in AL included Queen of Peace in Selma, St. Philip Neri in Belle Fontaine, St. Elizabeth in Selma, and Our Lady of Lourdes in Mobile. Director of spiritual affairs at St. Michael's College in VT 1961-67 and worked in parishes in Swanton and Williston. Ziter died 7/7/2000. Included the Mobile archdiocese's list 12/6/18. Per the Edmundites' list 8/7/19, the allegation was substantiated.
Two suits filed in 1995 alleged abuse by Zizka in the 1970s while the female plaintiffs were children. Files in the suits were sealed until 1998. Another suit filed in 7/97. Zizka was not removed from his assignment until 1999. All three cases settled and the files were again sealed. By 10/02 a total of five lawsuits had been filed against Zizka. All settled. Per the archdiocese on its list 1/22/19, Zizka was laicized in 2002.
Member of the Edmund Rice, or Irish, Christian Brothers. Entered the order in 1959. Named publicly as accused by the Phoenix diocese on its list 10/29/19. Assigned 2001-08 to St. Matthew's in Phoenix, where he was the school's vice-principal. Previously worked in Chicago IL, Peru, Staten Island NY, Burbank, IL, Honolulu HI, and Seattle WA. Accused in a 2014 lawsuit of sexually abusing a student at Damien Memorial High School in HI. Also accused in a 2016 lawsuit in HI of abusing a Damien Memorial High student in 1982. Died 12/02/09.
First named publicly as accused in the 8/14/18 PA Grand Jury Report. On Allentown diocese's 8/19/18 list. Member of diocesan Tribunal. Psychologist. Died in 1968. In 10/04 a woman told the diocese that Zmijewski sexually abused her in 1950 when she was a St. Peter's in Reading 9th grader. She said she was referred to Zmijewski for counseling, and he proposed hypnotizing her at his residence. She said she feigned being hypnotized and he then had her strip naked. He allegedly left the room for a few minutes then returned and told her to get dressed.
Removed from ministry in 2002 due to allegations deemed credible. Laicized in 2011. Assignments included parishes in Tusla, Norman, Watonga and OK City. Pastor in Moore 1974-84, moved to Weatherford parish 1984-85, OK City 1985-96, Yukon 1996-01, per archdiocese. Report to archdiocese in 2006 of abuse in 1985 by Zoeller of a 16-year-old boy who attended St. Patrick's parish. In 8/18 his accuser contacted the archdiocese, which then found credible allegations in Zoeller's file and initiated an investigation. Zoeller was discovered volunteering at a parish in 8/18. On the archdiocese's list of credibly accused 10/3/19.
Parish assignments in Bridgeport, Emmaus, Willow Grove and Philadelphia. Involved in a Germantown summer camp. Music Director at Allentown Central Catholic High School, later at Reading Central Catholic High. Residing at St. Mary's parish in Kutztown.when he died 9/18/62. First named publicly as accused on Allentown's 8/19/18 list. Allegation received after his death.
Member of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, formerly the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs, Columbus OH. First assigned in 1975. In 7/18 a woman alleged that Zuccarelli molested her in 1982 when she was a student at Fisher Catholic High School in Lancaster. The Order removed Zuccarelli from ministry and restricted her from unsupervised contact with minors and former students. Zuccarelli taught at Fisher High 1980-85. Prior to that she was a teacher at Desales High 1975-77 and Catholic Central High in Steubenville 1978-80. Taught at Georgetown University's School of Nursing 1995-99, chaplain there at St. Mary's Hall and Darnall Hall 1996-2002. Director of academic enrichment and student life until 2003. Professor at Salve Regina University in RI from 2003 until her 2018 removal. The Order deemed the allegation credible.
Report to diocese in 9/1987 of violent sexual activity in the rectory by Zula with a minor, and with three other lay men. Sent to Institute of Living in CT. Placed on permanent leave. Two brothers alleging abuse filed suit, then contacted police in 9/1988. One said he was first abused by Zula in 1984 when under age 16. Zula was arrested in 11/1988. Pled guilty to two counts involving the two brothers; sentenced in 1990 to 2-5 years in prison. Sentence to run concurrently with one in another county imposed for 1-5 years. Diocese settled with the brothers with a confidentiality agreement. Revs. Francis Pucci and Robert Wolk were accused of abusing the same boys. More reports to diocese of abuse of boys by Zula, involving sadomasochism. Found volunteering at a parish in 2007. Died 9/29/17. Included in 8/14/18 PA Grand Jury Report. Suit filed 10/18 against Bishop Zubik and Cardinal Wuerl. Zula's name included on the diocese's list of credibly accused.
Named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Report received in 2003 of abuse 1978-1981, prior to seminary. Removed in 2003. The list updated 6/1/19 notes another report in 2018. Per the NE A.G. report in 11/21, Zyla admitted to the abuse, of a boy, beginning when the boy was age 13. Zyla was a parish volunteer in charge of altar boys when the abuse occurred. He also admitted that, while a priest, he would take pictures of shirtless boys for his own gratification, getting the boys to pose by telling them they were auditioning for a Passion play. The A.G. report notes that Zyla resigned from the priesthood the month after the archdiocese received the first report of abuse.
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