Diocese of Norwich CT - BishopAccountability.org

40 Accused in This Diocese

Br. Donald Paschal Alford

Order: CFC
Ordained: 2004
Status: Sued

From Australia. Professed his vows as a Christian Brother in 1959. Reportedly worked at an orphanage in Geelong, Victoria 1970-78. Alleged to have sexually abused several residents there. Arrived in the U.S. in 1993 where he worked for 10 years at the Academy at Mount Saint John for at risk children in Deep River. Per news in 11/18, Alford was named in lawsuits filed by 24 men claiming they were sexually assaulted as 11- to 15-year-old residents of the facility 1986-96. Named in two of the suits, one in which he was accused of forcing a 13-year-old boy to perform oral sex. Alford was the leader of the school's Boy Scout troop. He died 4/14/04.

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Fr. Robert W. Barnes

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1980
Status: Accused

Died: 07/5/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Per diocese's 2/22/19 list, removed from ministry in 2002. Prior to ordination Barnes was a member of the De La Salle Christian Brothers for thirty years. Educator, parish pastor. Named principal of St. Bernard High School in Uncasville in 1981. Died 7/5/08.

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Fr. Norbert E. Belliveau

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 12/28/1989
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Belliveau's name was quietly added sometime between 3/19 and 3/21 to the diocese's list of those accused of the sexual abuse of minors. He died in 1989.

Assignments:

Hartford Courant Obituary 12.29.89

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Fr. Bernard W. Bissonnette

Ordained: 1958
Status: Sued

Died: 12/24/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Worked in CT, MN and NM. Accused of abuse of numerous youths almost everywhere he served. One alleged victim known to have died by suicide. Named in 1997 civil suit. Another victim filed civil suit 2002 and in 7/06, CT Supreme Court ruled that the suit was timely filed and sent it back down to lower court to be tried. Laicized 5/20/05; announced in 3/06. Cited in 11/08 RICO suit. Died 12/24/08. Accused in suit filed 11/15 of rape of a NM altar boy, who alleged rape also by Fr. James Porter. Accused in a 12/17/15 suit of raping an altar boy, age 7-12, hundreds of times 1968-73 at St. Alice's in Mountainair NM. Included on Santa Fe archdiocese list 9/12/17. On Las Cruces diocese's list 11/8/18. On the Norwich diocese's list in 2/19.

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Fr. Normand R. Boulanger

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list in 5/21. Noted to have left the diocese in 1972 and laicized in 1973. Died in 1996.

Sources:

Diocese of Norwich List 05.12.21

Fr. Richard T. Buongirno

Ordained: 1984
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Accused in 1991 by a mother of abuse of her 9-year-old son, which Buongirno denied. Social services deemed the allegation unsubstantiated. Alleged victim sued in 2000 claiming abuse 1990-1998; diocese settled in 2003 for $700K. Accused in 1994 of abusing a 16-year-old boy for 3 years in the 1970s, when Buongirno was a lay teacher. Sent by the diocese to the Institute of Living, then returned to ministry. Removed from ministry in 1998. Cited in a 11/08 RICO suit. Per diocese's list 2/22/19, Buongirno was laicized in 2005. Included on the diocese's list of accused in 2/19.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record and More Article Links

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Fr. Salvatore L. Busca

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Named publicly as accused by the Norwich diocese on its list 2/22/19. It notes he was removed from ministry in 1961 and excardinated from the diocese in 1969. Perpetually professed into the Servants of the Paraclete. Died in 2006.

Sources:

Diocese of Norwich List 02.22.19

Fr. Dennis G. Carey

Ordained: 1998
Status: Arrested

Died: 05/20/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Resigned from position at St Paul in Chains in Waterford 6/12 after police began investigation into 275 child porn images and 63 videos on church computer. Worked for 25 years as a CPA before ordination. Arrested; arraigned 7/3/12. Admitted addiction to child porn for two years but denied any improper touching of a child. Pleaded not guilty. In treatment in 9/12 at St John Vianney. Died 5/20/13. Included on the diocese's list in 2/19.

Fr. Anthony R. Caron

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1935
Status: Accused

Died: 07/31/1969
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/22/19. It notes he was removed from ministry in 1959 and died in Jemez Springs, NM in 1969.

Sources:

Diocese of Norwich List 02.22.19

Fr. Roger M. Comtois

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 03/2/1998
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/22/19. It notes he resigned and was on leave of absence in 1988, was in residence in 1992, and died in 1998.

Sources:

Diocese of Norwich List 02.22.19

Fr. James Curry

Ordained: 1949
Status: Settled

Died: 07/15/1986
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

A civil suit filed by a woman in 2/08 accused Curry of sexually abusing her for 8 years, beginning in 1966 when she was age 8 and Curry was assigned to St. Mary's. She said that after each assault he would tell her to ask God to forgive her sin and for tempting Curry. The filing of this suit exposed a 1983 suit in which Curry was accused of abusing his housekeeper's 11-year-old daughter in 1980-81 at the same church. That suit settled in 1986. Police were notified in 1981; no action. Curry died in 1986. In 4/19 a 60-year-old man testified before the CT Judiciary Committee that, when he was age 8, Curry sexually assaulted him four Sundays in a row at St. Joseph's in Noank. Included on the diocese's list in 2/19.

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Br. Stephen DeMatteis

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Order: OFM
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Accused of "making a sexual advance" toward a boy who sought counseling from him after being abused for several years by Fr. Thomas J. Doyle. Civil suit filed 1994 on behalf of boy and his brother against Norwich Diocese, Fr. Doyle, Brother DeMatteis and Fr. Michael Melendez, who is accused of failing to report the incidents involving the boys and Fr. Doyle.

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Fr. Thomas Joseph Doyle

Order: SM
Ordained: 1974
Status: Sued

Died: 03/20/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Accused of molesting twin brothers over a 10-year period while pastor of Sacred Heart in Vernon CT, starting when the boys were 14 in about 1980. The boys allegedly told counselors in 1983. One of the counselors, Franciscan Br. DeMatteis, is also alleged to have made sexual advances toward one of the twins. In 1992, the diocese removed Doyle and the Marianists suspended him. Civil suit filed in 1995. Two more accusers later came forward. Doyle was treated in both NM and MD. Laicized in 2002. Died 3/20/2007. Included in 2/2019 on the Diocese of Norwich's list. Included on the Marianists list of accused 6/24/2020. Added in 11/2020 to Baltimore's list, where he worked 1967-1973. Included on the Cincinnati archdiocese's list in 2/2022. Mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Marianists Obituary 04.02.07

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Fr. Edward Francis Frigault

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Died: 08/28/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/22/19. Removed from ministry in 2002. Died 8/28/08.

Sources:

Diocese of Norwich List 02.22.19

Fr. Denis Galipeau

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Named publicly as accused by the Norwich diocese on its list 2//22/19. Removed from ministry in 1964. Excardinated 1970. Incardinated into the Archdiocese of Montreal.

Sources:

Diocese of Norwich List 02.22.19

Fr. Roman S. Gromala

Ordained: 1950
Status: Accused

Died: 10/13/1991
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Named as accused by the Norwich diocese on its list 2/22/19. Left the Norwich diocese and relocated to Florida in 1955. Excardinated in 1972. Incardinated into the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Died in 1991.

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Fr. Paul L. Hebert, Jr.

Ordained: 1959
Status: Settled

Died: 05/5/2010
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Placed on leave in 7/04 after allegations surfaced that he sexually abused a boy in the 1970s at St. Michael's in Pawatuck. Denied the allegations. Diocese referred matter to police and Dept of Children and Family. Pastor of St. Michael's 12/71-10/81, then of Most Holy Trinity in Pomfret 1981 until his 2004 removal. Civil suit filed. Settled in 10/07 for $170K. Another suit filed in 12/08 alleged later abuse. Died 5/5/10. New suit 8/16, alleging abuse of a Pomfret altar boy hundreds of times 1990-1996, beginning when the boy was age 11. Hebert allegedly photographed and videotaped the boy while in sex acts, lavished him with gifts and plied him with alcohol. Settled in 3/19 for $900K. On the diocese's list in 2/19.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Raymond J. Jean

Ordained: 1957
Status: Settled

Died: 06/7/2001
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Arrested in 1988 during crackdown on homosexual activity at a local state park. Accused in a 1993 civil suit of molestation 1971-72. A second suit was filed in 1999, with claims that Jean sexually abused a boy beginning when he was age 9 in 1973 and continuing until he was 20. Jean died in 6/01, just before scheduled trial in that case. A third suit was filed in early 2003. One settlement for $275K. Included on the diocese's list in 2/19.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Donat M. Jette

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1918
Status: Accused

Died: 08/13/1992
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Monsignor. A man informed the Diocese in 4/02 that he had been abused by Jette in the early 1960s, when he went to confession after having been abused by Fr. Donald Petraitis. Bishop Hart did not report the abuse to Child Protective Services until at least one month later. Jette was deceased by the time the complaint was made. Not included on the diocese's list 2/22/19.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Stephan Leslie Johnson

Donate Photo

Order: CSP
Ordained: 1981
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Named publicly as accused by the Paulists and the Diocese of Norwich on their lists 3/8/19. Worked in the L.A. archdiocese, and the dioceses of Norwich and Columbus. Leave of Absence 1995-96, left the order in 7/96. Allegations reported in 2018, stemming from his time in CT 1985-87. Added to Columbus diocese's list 5/23/19.

Assignments:

Paulist Fathers List 03.08.19

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Fr. John A. Kozon

Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Died: 10/8/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/22/19. Removed from ministry in 2005. Died 10/8/13 in Memphis, TN.

Sources:

Diocese of Norwich List 02.22.19

Fr. James L. Liberty

Donate Photo

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Died: 07/4/1995
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Accused of abuse of an 18-year-old girl in the1980s. He was working as a marriage and family counselor with Catholic Family Services in Norwich at the time of the alleged abuse. She had gone to him for counseling after the death of her brother. Liberty died in 7/95.

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Fr. Charles G. Many

Donate Photo

Order: SSE
Ordained: 1974
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Accused in 1986 of sexual misconduct with a boy in VT in 1978, while assigned to Norwich CT diocese. In 1994 another young man alleged abuse by Many in CT some time 1978-81. One suit settled for $850K in 2001 but judge ordered new trial. Resigned from priesthood 1994. Laicized 7/25/95. Suit filed 2015 by a man alleging abuse by Many when he was an altar boy late 1970s-early '80s at Sacred Heart in Groton. File in order's archives showed they knew in at least 1976 that Many was "receiving boys in his room." Diocese and order agreed to $900K settlement. Many denied wrongdoing. Included on the Norwich diocese's list in 2/19. On Edmundites list 8/7/19. On Burlington VT diocese's list 8/22/19. Suit filed in Fall 2019 claiming abuse of a boy, age 7, during confession at Sacred Heart in Groton.

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Fr. Vincent Marino

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1983
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

"Enzo." A man filed suit in 9/13 alleging abuse as a teenager by Marino at St. Agnes in Niantic. Marino allegedly would give the boy wine, buy him liquor, and watch porn with him before assaulting him. Plaintiff says he reported the abuse when he was in his 20s but no action was taken by Diocese. Marino was later transferred to another parish. Excardinated in 1989. Incardinated into the Archdiocese of Siracusa, Italy. Included on the Norwich diocese's list in 2/19.

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Br. K. Paul McGlade

Order: CFC
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

From Australia. Per news in 11/18, McGlade was named in lawsuits filed by 24 men claiming they were sexually assaulted as 11- to 15-year-old residents of the Academy at Mount Saint John for at risk children in Deep River CT, 1986-96. McGlade was a teacher at the school and executive director from 1990. McGlade was reportedly accused in most of the suits of sexual abuse, including masturbation, forced oral sex and sodomy. The suits also say that complaints of McGlade sexually abusing children were made to the diocese but disregarded. McGlade died in 2013. As of 12/20 there were 35 lawsuits alleging abuse by McGlade. A plaintiffs' attorney stated that another was to be filed and that over 50 plaintiffs were expected. Also accused of abuse of boys prior his to arrival in CT.

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Fr. Edward P. McGrath

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1969
Status: Accused

Died: 06/29/1998
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Taught briefly at Salesian High School in New Rochelle, NY, later assigned to St. Thomas More School in Montville. First allegation received there in 2000. School began an investigation and sent out letters to alumni and parents. Allegations found credible. Another accuser came forward in 2004. McGrath died in 1998 at age 62 of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Included on theNorwich diocese's list 2/22/19. Included in 3/20 on the Salesians' list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

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Fr. Joseph P. Murphy

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1988
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/22/19. Removed from ministry in 1998. Died in 2015.

Sources:

Diocese of Norwich List 02.22.19

Fr. John C. Nash

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1975
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/22/19. It notes that Nash was removed from ministry in 2002, petitioned for laicization in 2002 and died in 2010.

Sources:

Diocese of Norwich List 02.22.19

Fr. Eugene F. Orteneau

Donate Photo

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1982
Status: Settled

Died: 04/8/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Accused in a 2005 civil suit of abuse of a 16-year-old boy in 1992 at St. Thomas Aquinas in Storrs. Settled in 5/07 for $1.2M. Diocese to pay 1/4 and order to pay remainder. Plaintiff's sister had notified Diocese in 2003 of abuse of two other youths but did not mention her brother. Orteneau left the parish in 1994. Dismissed from the Order in 2003. Died 4/8/09 in Huntersville, NC. Included on the Jesuits Northeast Province list of credibly accused 1/15/19. It notes allegations received in 2005 of abuse of minors 1992-95. On the Norwich diocese's list in 2/19. Included on the Fall River diocese's list in 1/21, where he had been assigned at some point to Bishop Connolly High School.

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Fr. J. Lawrence Ouimet

Ordained: 1974
Status: Sued

Died: 02/16/2002
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/22/19. It notes he resigned, and was appointed in 1999 as Parochial Vicar with restricted ministry. Per his obituary he worked in many parishes, and was "very active with many fire companies in the state." Died 2/16/02. Suit filed in 11/19 with claims Ouimet plied a teenage boy with alcohol and engaged in grooming behaviors toward him sometime prior to 1988. Ouimet allegedly invited the teen to share a bed with him, talked about sex and masturbation, and disrobed and stood naked in front of the boy, demanding that he disrobe and join him in a hot tub.

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Fr. Joseph V. Owens

Donate Photo

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Northeast Province on its list 1/15/19. Admitted in 1992 to abusing minors 1970s-1990s. Ministry restricted in 1993 and "impeded" 2002. Worked in Jamaica (1970-77), CT (1978-79), FL (1980-82), Honduras (1983-2002) and Nicaragua (2003-06). On Norwich diocese's list 2/22/19. (Ordination date shown as 1971; he is first indexed in the Official Catholic Directory in 1967, which indicates a likely 1966 ordination year.)

Assignments:

Jesuits Northeast Province List 01.15.19

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Fr. Donald Petraitis

Order: MIC
Ordained: 1964
Status: Accused

Died: 06/12/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Accused of abuse of a boy in the early 1960s when Petraitis was 'filling in' at St. Mary's parish in Norwich. Alleged victim said he told Rev. Donat Jette during confession and that Jette then abused him, too. Per 2002 OCD Petraitis was Provincial of the Marian's Office in Chicago. One article refers to him as Superior of the Marians St. Kazimierz Province in the USA, and former General of the Congregation. Denied the allegations. Died 6/12/12. Not included on the Norwich diocese's list 2/22/19.

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Fr. Paul A. Pinard

Order: SSE
Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 06/12/2017
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Ordained in VT for the Edmundites. Per obituary, worked in AL 1960-61 in a Selma parish and as Assistant Director of the Don Bosco Boys Club in Quebec parishes 1961-64, 1969-72, and 1989-91. Director of St. Anne's Shrine in VT 1964-68 and parish administrator in Alburgh 1967-69. St. Michael's College board member 1984-88. Procurator 1991-95 of the Edmundite Generalate in VT, procurator and treasurer of St. Edmund's Retreat in Mystic CT 1995-2004. Removed from parish in Quebec in 1991 after an allegation of sexual misconduct with minors in the 1980s. Substantiated. In 1/05 Norwich bishop learned of allegations and asked order to remove him from diocese. Retired to order's residence in FL in 2004, to Selma AL in 2013, and to VT in 2016. Died 6/12/17. On Norwich diocese's list 2/22/19. On Edmundites list 8/7/19.

Assignments:

Ready Funeral Home and Cremation Services 06.12.17

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Fr. Bruno F. Primavera

Ordained: 1973
Status: Convicted

Died: 01/17/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Priest of Toronto, Canada archdiocese. Sent to Norwich diocese with warning that he was known to seek out teen boys. Civil suits filed 2001 and 2002 alleged abuse of two boys at parishes in CT in late 1970s. Sent for treatment. Transferred to Las Cruces NM diocese. Arrested there 1990 for abuse and child porn. Sentenced to four years' prison. Laicized. Died 1/17/06. In 11/06 Norwich diocese settled 2002 suit by one man for $1.1M. Remaining suit settled 1/07 for $2M. On Las Cruces diocese's list 11/8/18. It notes reports of abuse in 1990 and in 2016. Assigned to NMMI and Assumption parish in Roswell 1989-90. On Norwich diocese's list 2/22/19; removed from ministry there in 1980. On Hartford list 1/22/19; NW Catholic HS faculty 1981, removed after two months. Lived at an Enfield parish 1981-83, helped out. Removed from ministry 1990 by Toronto.

Fr. John B. Ramsay

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 07/26/1994
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Priest of the Diocese of Norwich. Named publicly as accused by the Hartford archdiocese on its list 1/22/19. Retired in 1977. Volunteered and taught religious ed at St. Adalbert's in Enfield 1978-79. Worked at a parish and school in St. Petersburg FL in 1983; dismissed in 12/83 for "unprofessional behavior related to boundary violations." Allegation received after his death. On the Norwich diocese's list 2/22/19. It notes that allegations were received sometime after his 1977 retirement. Died 7/26/94.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

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Fr. Thomas W. Shea

Ordained: 1946
Status: Settled

Died: 08/10/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Removed from ministry in 1984, per diocese's list 2/22/29. Accused in 2004 of molesting at least 16 girls in 11 parishes in the diocese over 30 years. The abuse was often referred to in church records as "prolonged kissing" and not as sexual abuse. Parents would complain and Shea would be transferred. Vatican refused to laicize in 2005. Died in 2006. One woman's civil suit settled 12/08. Another woman's 11/08 suit settled for $1.1M in 9/12 just before trial was to begin. Included on the diocese's list in 2/19.

Sister Seraphia

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Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

A member of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (CSFN). Accused publicly In 3/19 by a man of abusing him multiple times as a first-grader, age 6, at St. Joseph's in Norwich. She was his teacher. He said the abuse included rape, physical abuse and threats that, if he told, she could take him from his parents. He was hospitalized 3 times with bladder infections, and genital and hip bruising, and has hospital bills with info about the injuries. He said his parents told doctors, nurses and police the nun abused him. The man met with Bishop Cote in 2004, who offered to settle, but then did not. Cote told the man in 2006 that the nun's order was responsible. The diocese said it would investigate and that in 2004 it had informed law enforcement and the Dept. of Children and Families. Per the order, Seraphia left them in 1989 and died 3/25/12. They would not release her given name. Her accuser said she also abused at least two other students, including a girl he liked.

Sources:

The Day 03.31.19

Fr. Eugene Alphonse Solega

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Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

Died: 08/18/1985
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Died 8/18/85. In 10/18 a 59-year-old man told a news outlet that Solega sexually abused him when he was a 13-year-old altar boy at St. John's in Old Saybrook. Solega's accuser, along with his therapist, met with Bishop Cote in 4/18. They said Cote apologized repeatedly. The man's therapist reportedly later asked Cote in writing for some financial help for her client who needed inpatient alcohol treatment. As of 2/19 the bishop had not responded. Solega's name was not included on the Norwich diocese's list 2/22/19.

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Fr. Patrick J. Sullivan

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Order: OCSO
Ordained: 1954
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

In 2002 civil suit, a woman alleged that Sullivan abused her for two years at St. Columba parish, 1968-69, when she was ages 15-16. In 6/03 trial court dismissed some of the lawsuit but allowed the remainder to go forward. On the Norwich diocese's list 2/22/19. Laicized 1970.

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Fr. Paschal Thomas

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 10/9/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

From India, arrived in the U.S. in 1959, shortly after ordination. Joined the Benedictines in 1979. Named publicly as accused by the Norwich diocese on its list 2/22/19, as "Thomas Paschal." It notes only that he was reassigned by the Benedictines in 1993. On the Conception Abbey Benedictines' in MO list 8/5/19. Died 10/9/15 in MO.

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