Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD - BishopAccountability.org

48 Accused in This Diocese

Deacon Lawrence Bell

Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Accused in a 10/2023 lawsuit of sexually abusing a boy in the 1990s at St. Martin of Tours in Gaithersburg, MD. Bell's accuser also alleged abuse at the parish by Msgr. Michael Mellone. Suspended pending investigation. In 7/2024 Cardinal Gregory announced that there was no evidence that the alleged abuse occurred and that Both Bell and Mellone would be returned to ministry.

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Fr. John F.X. Bellwoar

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1933
Status: Accused

Died: 11/1/1993
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Maryland Province on its list 12/18/2019. Multiple allegations of abuse, occurring in the 1950s-1960s in Prince George's County, MD and Washington DC. Died in 1993. Added to the Baltimore archdiocese's list in 2/2019. Mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Jesuits Maryland Province List 12.18.19

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Fr. Francis A. Benham

Ordained: 1963
Status: Convicted

Died: 12/18/2023
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

First complaint made in 1979; sent for treatment, returned to ministry. Assigned to the Diocese of Columbus OH 1979-1985. Left priesthood in 1985. Pleaded guilty in 2005 to molesting a 15-year-old boy and sodomizing a 13-year-old girl in the late 1970s. Sentenced to 2 concurrent 10-year sentences, all but 18 months suspended. Laicized in 2005. Released from prison in 1/2006, followed by 3 years probation. Placed on sex offender registry. Also worked in IL, where he was a certified child care provider with Human Services. Cited in 10/2012 in IL for practicing clinical psychology without a license. Included on the Archdiocese of WDC's 10/15/2018 list. On the Columbus diocese's list 3/1/2019. Benham died 12/18/2023.

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Fr. Salvatore F. Bucca

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Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

First named publicly as accused on archdiocese's list 10/15/2018. Abuse reported in 1978 and noted to have been "possibly sexual." Removed from ministry in 1978.

Sources:

Archdiocese of Washington DC list 10.15.18

Br. John Fabian Butler

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Order: OP
Status: Accused

Died: 02/9/2003
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Religious Brother, professed vows 1941. Named publicly as accused by the Dominicans St. Joseph Province on its list in late 2018. Per Order's bio, assigned mainly as Sacristan at St. Mary's in New Haven, CT 1948-1959; St. Dominic's Washington, DC: Sacristan and Part-time Class 6 Boiler Operator at St. Dominic Priory in DC. Died 2/9/2003. Allegation established in 2012. No indication as to when or where abuse is said to have occurred.

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Dominican Friars Foundation Bio accessed 05.02.19

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Fr. Raymond C. Callahan

Ordained: 1963
Status: Convicted

Died: 04/28/1996
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Per the Archdiocese, abuse was first reported in 1971. Would take boys to a cabin in VA. Removed from ministry in 1971. Criminally convicted but apparently did not serve prison time. Laicized in 1977. Died in 1996. At least one claim against Callahan was included in a $1.3M settlement with 16 men who alleged abuse 1962-1982. Included on the Archdiocese's list 10/15/2018.

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Fr. Martin J. Casey

Order: SJ
Status: Accused

Died: 12/10/2006
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Included on the Maryland Province Jesuits list in 12/2018 of those with a "reasonable possibility" of having abused a minor. It notes that the allegation was made after Casey's death in 2006 of abuse in 1959 while pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Washington, DC. Reportedly the Jesuits were first told of the allegation in 2002.

Assignments:

Jesuits Maryland Province List 12.17.18

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Fr. Thomas C. Chleboski, Jr.

Ordained: 1987
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Also known as C. Thomas Chleboski. Began to abuse boys prior to ordination. Removed from ministry 1990 after an allegation. Criminal charges in DC, VA and MD for the sexual abuse of two 13-year-old boys. Convicted in all three states. Sentenced to prison for 22 years and 15 years probation in 1991 in VA; also sentenced in MD. DC sentence unknown. Abused a child again after he was reported. The mother of a youth filed a civil suit. Voluntarily laicized in 1996. Out on probation and registered as sex offender as of 10/3/2010. Included on the harchdiocese's list 10/15/2018. Per his Linkedin account accessed in 12/2022, Chleboski went on to found a paralegal service.

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Fr. Aaron Joseph Cote

Order: OP
Ordained: 1986
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

An 18-year old male filed suit in 11/2005 alleging abuse in 2001-2002 while attending Mother Seton parish in Germantown MD. Suit said abuse occurred in both MD and DC. Cote transferred to RI. Alleged to have abused a second youth in OH in the 1980s. Case settled 8/2007 for $1.2M paid by Order. Also worked in Springfield MA. Woman filed suit 4/2008 claiming abuse of her children. First criminal charges filed 7/2008 claiming 2003 abuse. Found guilty 7/2009. Received 10 years probation 11/2009. Died in 2012. On Archdiocese of Washington DC list 10/15/2018. On Columbus diocese's list 3/1/2019. On Dominicans St. Joseph Province list in late 2018. On the Springfield MA list 6/2/2021.

Fr. Joseph B. Coyne

Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 02/23/1999
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Monsignor. First named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 10/15/2018. Report to archdiocese in 1992. Coyne retired in 1994 and his faculties were removed in 1995. He died in 1999.

Sources:

Archdiocese of Washington DC list 10.15.18

Fr. Philip DeRea

Order: MSC
Ordained: 1968
Status: Sued

Died: 06/21/2017
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Catholic chaplain for the Indy Racing League since 1971. Placed on leave in 12/2010 after the Order learned of allegations that he had abused a boy for about 8 years, beginning in 1980 when the boy was age 11. Civil suit filed 4/14/2011 in Chicago where the Order is based. Complaint alleges that DeRea used his connections with the racing world and celebrities to make the plaintiff feel honored to be associated with him. Died 6/21/2017. Included on the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart USA list of credibly accused.

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Br. John J. Devoe

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Order: CFX
Status: Accused

Died: 08/19/2005
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Br. Brennan. Joined the Xaverians in 1949. Named publicly as accused on the order's list 7/12/2019. Allegation received in 1991 of abuse in the mid-1960s in Leonardtown, MD. Removed from ministry in 1991. Died in 2005.

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Xaverian Brothers List 07.12.19

Fr. Russell L. Dillard

Ordained: 1978
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Suspended in 3/2002 after two sisters alleged he kissed and fondled them when they were teenagers. One woman said he was "pretty much my boyfriend for four years." Dillard admitted that he might have "crossed over a line" with at least one teenage girl. Formally dismissed from active ministry in 8/2002. Laicized in 2003. On the archdiocese's list 10/15/2018.

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Fr. R. Joseph Dooley

Ordained: 1960
Status: Sued

Died: 10/2/2002
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Monsignor. Long-time chaplain of the Catholic Police and Firemen's Society in Hyattsville, among others. The Archdiocese said it received a first report of abuse in 1991. Dooley was removed from parish ministry 1992, worked as Coordinator for Sick and Retired Priests 1992-1995, then retired without faculties. Died in 2002. Allegations first public when two brothers sued the WDC archdiocese 6/2009, alleging sex abuse by Dooley 1950s-early 1960s, and that the Archdiocese knew there had been other allegations against him. A third man also filed suit in 6/2009. All said they were St. John's College High School students when abused. On the archdiocese list released 10/15/2018.

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Fr. James Aubrey Finan

Ordained: 1959
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Removed from ministry in 1996 after a report of abuse. Pleaded guilty in 1997 to sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy in 1966. Also accused of abuse of a 6-year-old girl in 1966. Sentenced in 3/1997 to 18 months in prison. Pleaded guilty in 2003 to sexually abusing a 7- or 8-year-old boy in 1966. Sentenced to a 5 year suspended sentence and 5 years probation. At least one claim settled in a $1.3M settlement with the Archdiocese in 12/2006. Laicized in 1996. On Sex Offender Registry 12/2010. Died in 2013.

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Fr. Roger P. Gallagher

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

First named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 10/15/2018. It notes that the archdiocese first first received a report of abuse by Gallagher in 1992, and that he was removed from ministry. He died in 2012.

Sources:

Archdiocese of Washington DC list 10.15.18

Br. George Gardiner

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Order: CFX
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Br. Barton. Joined the Xaverians in 1948. Left in 1970. Named publicly as accused by the Order on its list 7/12/2019. It notes an allegation received in 2013 of abuse at a summer camp in the mid-1960s in Leonardtown, MD. Deceased. On the Baltimore archdiocese's list 7/23/2019. Mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.

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Xaverian Brothers List 07.12.19

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Fr. Edward T. Hartel

Ordained: 1962
Status: Settled

Died: 03/2/2013
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Report to the Archdiocese in 1995 that Hartel sexually abused an altar boy on one occasion sometime between 1975 and 1978. Admitted the abuse. Arrested. Three other priests were accused of abuse of the same youth. Hartel was acquitted on another allegation because of identification problems. The Archdiocese said he would not be reassigned. At least one claim included in a $1.3M settlement with the Archdiocese in 12/2006. Died in 2013. Included on the Archdiocese's list 10/15/2018.

Assignments:

Washington Post 02.11.95

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Fr. Arthur E. Kelly

Order: SVD
Ordained: 1971
Status: Accused

Died: 12/12/2004
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Named as credibly accused by the Society of the Divine Word Chicago Province on its list 4/18/2021. Abuse noted to have occurred in 1971 in Washington DC. Assigned in the Order's Southern Province in 1968, Techny IL 1969, WDC 1969-1972, Chicago 1973-1974, Indianapolis IN 1975-1978, and again Chicago 1979-1986. Dismissed from the Order in 1987. Founded a youth center for teenage gang members in Indianapolis in 1974. Continued to work there as a priest after his dismissal, "without any church affiliation," per a 1992 news article. Died in 2004. Included on the Chicago Archdiocese's list 5/4/2023. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Society of the Divine Word Assignments

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Fr. Finbar Kenneally

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1925
Status: Accused

Died: 12/14/1991
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Named publicly as accused by the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans on its list 5/31/2019. It notes alleged sexual abuse of a minor 1962-1964, reported in 1991. Assigned to the Academy of American Franciscan History in Washington DC at the time of the alleged abuse. Died in 1991.

Assignments:

Santa Barbara Province Franciscans List 05.31.19

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Santa Barbara Province Franciscans List 05.31.19

Fr. Paul E. Lavin

Ordained: 1969
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Accused of sexually abusing boys. First complaint received in 1997. Investigation found no evidence and Lavin continued in his position. Two more men complained in 2002. Lavin was then placed on permanent leave. Laicized in 2004. At least one claim was included in a $1.3M settlement in 12/2006 with the Archdiocese.

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Bishop Thomas W. Lyons

Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 03/25/1988
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Elevated in 1974 to Auxiliary Bishop of Washington D.C. Died in 1988. Named publicly as accused on archdiocese's list 10/15/2018. It notes that abuse was first reported in 2002. In testimony for a hearing related to the Childhood Sexual Abuse Prevention Amendment Act 2007, a man stated that he was sexually abused, including rape, at age 10 by Lyons in the summer of 1965. Per psychotherapist and former monk, Richard Sipe, adult men told him they were abused by Lyons when he was a priest, and one said Lyons abused him from ages 7-17.

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Fr. Peter M. McCutcheon

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Ordained: 1979
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Report to the Archdiocese in 1986 of abuse. Removed from ministry. Charged. Pleaded guilty in 1986 to sexually abusing boys between 1981 and 1985. Sentenced to 25 years in jail; served only about one year. Sent to treatment in NM and put on probation. A civil suit was filed against the Archdiocese and McCutcheon in 1987 alleging, among other things, that McCutcheon had sexual and alcohol problems dating back to seminary days. Settled in 1988 after a judge found McCutcheon liable for damages. The Archdiocese paid the settlement. Laicized in 2004. Included on the Archdiocese's list 10/15/2018.

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Fr. Michael J. Mellone

Ordained: 1976
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Monsignor. Accused in a lawsuit in 10/2023 of sexually abusing a boy at St. Martin of Tours in Gaithersburg, MD in the 1990s. Mellone's accuser also claimed abuse at the parish by Deacon Lawrence Bell. Suspended from ministry pending investigation. In 7/2024 Cardinal Gregory announced that there was no evidence that the alleged abuse occurred and that Both Mellone and Bell would be returned to ministry.

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Br. Matthew Miles

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Order: SCJ
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Admitted in a 3/2008 deposition that he was convicted of sodomizing young boys in Washington, D.C. He said he spent 20 years in a Sex Addicts Anonymous program. Also admitted abusing at least one youth at St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, SD. This victim filed suit in 6/2007 alleging Miles and another staff member raped and sexually abused him from age 7-10 at the school.

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Fr. James F. Montgomery

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Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 09/10/2000
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Monsignor. Pastor of Annunciation Parish from 1972 until his death in 2000. Former director of Catholic Charities. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Archdiocese on its list in 7/2023. Abuse was reported to the Archdiocese in 2020.

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Fr. Arthur J. O’Brien

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Ordained: 1983
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

The WDC Archdiocese said it received a first report against O'Brien of abuse in 1983. In 2002 a man claimed O'Brien sexually abused him when he was age 14 and O'Brien was a seminarian in Boston. Accused of abuse of a boy in MD 1984-1985. Moved to Hawaii in 1985, allowed to work as priest. Accused of abuse of a HI boy, age 10, in 1989. Convicted in 1992 on three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted sexual assault. Received a 6 month sentence (suspended) and 5 years probation in 1992. Placed on permanent leave in 1993. Per WDC's list 10/15/2018, O'Brien was also assigned in Alabama sometime during 1985-1989. He died in 2011.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Garrett D. Orr

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1983
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

In 10/2003 a Georgetown Prep student report to the school that Orr had sexually abused him in 2002. The school did not report the abuse to police until 5/2004. Suspended at that time. Orr had been on sabbatical in 2003 for "unrelated health issues." Assigned in 4/2004 as chaplain at Loyola University. Despite suspension, was allowed ministry without 1:1 with students 2004-2005. Terminated from Loyola in 10/2006. Investigation by the Jesuits in 2006 found the allegations "substantially true." Allegation in 2009 of abuse in 1989 at Georgetown Prep. Arrested 1/2011 and charged with abuse of two, one of them the student who reported abuse in 2003. Indicted 2/23/2011. Pled guilty 9/12/2011. Sentenced 11/10/2011 to five years probation and registration as sex offender. Laicized in 2008. On Maryland Province Jesuits list 12/17/2018. Added to Baltimore archdiocese's list in 2/2019. Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.

Fr. Robert Joseph Petrella

Ordained: 1964
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Per the Archdiocese, a first report of abuse was received in 1966. Alleged to have raped two brothers. Sent to treatment, returned to ministry. Sent for treatment three times. Permanently removed 1989 after more allegations. Indicted and convicted 1997 for the sexual abuse of 10-year-old boy in the late 1970s. Sentenced to six months in jail, reduced to seven days. Convicted in 2003 for abuse of three. Sentenced to 18 months in prison. Laicized in 4/2003. At least one claim was included in a $1.3M settlement with the Archdiocese in 12/2006. At least 25 accusers. Living at his mother's home in North Arlington, MD as of 9/2008. Included on the Archdiocese's list 10/15/2018.

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Fr. James J. Powderly

Ordained: 1958
Status: Indicted

Died: 10/8/2004
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Accused in 2005 phone calls with the Archdiocese and in a police report of sexually abusing a boy 1974-1977, beginning when the boy was age 14. The abuse allegedly included masturbating the boy. Also accused of abusing the boy's sister. Powderly died 10/8/2004. Included on the Archdiocese's list 10/15/2018. It noted that the abuse was first reported in 1997, and that Powderly retired without faculties in 1997.

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Fr. Edward B. Pritchard

Ordained: 1974
Status: Guilty plea

Died: 11/10/2002
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Received treatment in 1986 for abuse of a boy, returned to ministry. Arrested in 1995. Accused of abuse of three altar boys. Pleaded guilty 12/1995 and sentenced to five years probation. Permanently removed from ministry. Died in 11/02. At least one claim was included in a $1.3M settlement with the Archdiocese in 12/2006. Included on the Archdiocese's list 10/15/2018.

Assignments:

Washington Post 02.11.95

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Fr. Thomas E. Pyne

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 08/23/1999
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Included on the Jesuits Maryland Province list in 12/2018 of those with reasonable possibility of having sexually abused minors. Allegedly abused multiple minors in the 1960s in Washington DC, where he worked at Gonzaga College High School. Pyne left the Jesuits in 1968 and died in 1999.

Assignments:

Jesuits Maryland Province List 12.17.18

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Fr. Thomas S. Schaefer

Ordained: 1953
Status: Convicted

Died: 07/22/2009
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Abused at least 21 boys. Arrested in 1995. Convicted in 1996 of abuse of 5. Sentenced to 16 years in prison. Judge reconsidered after he had served about 4.5 months and reduced the sentence to time served and treatment in MO. Sent to live at St. John Vianney in St. Louis. At least one claim was included in a $1.3M settlement with the Archdiocese in 12/2006. Died 7/22/2009 in MO. Included on the Archdiocese's list 10/15/2018. It noted abuse was first reported in 1967 and that Schaeffer was sent for evaluation and treatment, then returned to ministry. Another report in 1982; again evaluated and treated, then returned to ministry in 1983. Permanently removed from parish ministry in 1986, assigned as a nursing home chaplain.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Michael Schapfel

Ordained: 1983
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

From Germany. Working in the DC area since 2004 serving German communities and diplomats when suddenly removed in 4/2010 after allegations that he had molested numerous girls and young women in Germany in the 1980s-1990s. Was returned to Germany. Allegations had been known since the original complaint in 2004.

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Fr. James A. Scott

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Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

First named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list 10/15/2018. Per the list, a first report of abuse was in 1986. Scott was suspended, evaluated and returned to limited ministry in 1987 as a hospital and nursing home chaplain. Faculties removed in 1995, laicized 1996. Scott died in 2013.

Sources:

Archdiocese of Washington DC list 10.15.18

Br. John J. Shea

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Order: CFX
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Br. Jeron. Joined the Xaverians in 1953. Left in 1970. Named publicly by the Order as accused on its list 7/12/2019. Allegation reported in 2004 of abuse in Leonardtown in the late 1960s. Deceased.

Assignments:

Xaverian Brothers List 07.12.19

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Xaverian Brothers List 07.12.19

Seminarian Joseph Skelton, Jr.

Ordained: 2001
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Accused in a 2008 civil suit, along with Fr. George Stallings, of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy in the summer of 1984. Skelton was a seminarian at the time. The boy was helping Stallings remodel the St. Teresa of Avila rectory and was and staying in the rectory's attic to avoid a long commute. Case settled in 10/2009 for $125K. Skelton resigned from the seminary in MI in 1988 after pleading guilty to abusing a 15-year-old boy in a seminary room. Ordained for the Tagbilaran diocese in the Philippines. Included on the Detroit archdiocese's 6/10/2019 list of credibly accused. Still in ministry on the island of Bohol in 2024.

Fr. Timothy Slevin

Ordained: 1965
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

In 1972 Slevin underwent treatment for fondling children. "Formally separated" from the priesthood in 1974 after allegations. Laicized in 1978. In 1986 Slevin, then basketball coach at Sacred Heart Catholic School, admitted to police that he abused six boys more than 50 times in six years. Charges relating to these acts were dropped in exchange for a guilty plea on four counts of abusing another boy 1983-1986. Sentenced to 3-12 years prison. A 1986 lawsuit settled out of court. Included on the archdiocese's 10/15/2018 list.

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Fr. Alphonsus M. Smith

Ordained: 1956
Status: Guilty plea

Died: 11/28/2005
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

In 1995 Smith admitted an 'affair' with a youth 1988-1993. A civil suit filed in 1995 was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Sentenced in 1995 to 16 years in prison for abuse of five. A judge reduced the sentence to five years supervised probation in 1996. Sent to live at St. John Vianney treatment center in St. Louis. Died in 2005. At least one claim was included in a $1.3M settlement with the Archdiocese in 12/2006. Included on the Archdiocese's list 10/15/2018.

Assignments:

Washington Post 02.11.95

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Br. Philip Spoelker

Order: CFX
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Brother Jude. Joined the Xaverians in 1960. Named publicly as accused by the Order on its list 7/12/2019. Accused in 1982 of abuse of a minor in Leonardtown, MD; sent to the Paracletes in NM for treatment, then returned to ministry. Placed on a safety plan in 2003. Pleaded guilty in 2007 to abusing a male student at Ryken High School in 1978; sentenced to 18 months in prison. Served a year in jail, then paroled. As of 12/2009 he was to move to the Xaverian Brothers in Venice FL where he was to be monitored. Accused in 2009 of abuse in the late 1980s in Birmingham, AL. In 11/2022 he is shown as living as a registered sex offender at the Vianney Renewal Center in Dittmer, MO.

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Sources:

Xaverian Brothers List 07.12.19

Sr. Margaret Daley

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Order: RSCJ
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

In 3/2024 a woman told a news reporter that Daley sexually abused her in the early 1970s when she was a sophomore at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, MD. The abuse allegedly occurred in an office. The woman said she immediately told other teachers, friends and her sister; neither her parents nor police were informed and the sisters were asked to leave the school. The woman, who filed a lawsuit in 2023, said that Daley left the order in 1980 and died in 2015.

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Fr. George A. Stallings, Jr.

Ordained: 1974
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Accused in 1989 of past abuse of a 16-year-old boy. Another person had allegedly reported abuse by Stallings to the Cardinal in 1986. A third man claimed Stallings abused him 1976-1984. Cardinal Hickey ordered Stallings to treatment in 1989 but Stallings refused, then formed his own breakaway congregation as a Black Catholic church. He was ater excommunicated but claims he left because of racism. One man filed suit in 2008 which settled in 10/2009 for $125K.

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Fr. William McSherry Stock

Ordained: 1969
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Stock left the priesthood in 1985. In 3/2006 a man reported he was sexually assaulted by Stock at age 17 in 1980. Stock was assigned to St. Peter's in Olney at the time in question; the boy had gone to him for counseling. Stock was arrested and charged in 5/2006. Arrested again 9/2006 and charged with abusing a 14-year-old boy in the late 1970s. Pleaded guilty to the abuse of both boys. Sentenced n 11/2007 to 19 months in prison. Included on the Archdiocese's list 10/15/2018.

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Fr. Paul T. Twiddy

Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 07/2/2009
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

First named publicly as accused by the WDC Archdiocese on its 10/15/18 list, which notes a first report of abuse in 1965. Twiddy was removed, sent for evaluation and treatment, and returned to ministry in 1968. Worked in the Diocese of Monterey 1968-1971. Accused of abuse in CA 1971-1979. Sent to treatment, returned to limited ministry in 1980. In residence in a WDC parish 1980-1986, in out-patient treatment. Retired in 1986. Died 7/2/2009.

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Fr. Urbano Vazquez-Ortega

Order: OFM Cap
Ordained: 2014
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Accused of molesting a 13-year-old girl at Sacred Heart Shrine in Columbia Heights in 5/2015. The girl's mother reportedly informed Rev. Mosis Villalta, OFM.Cap. in 2015; police were not notified until 10/26/2018, after Villalta told a visiting priest about the situation. Arrested 11/7/2018, charged with second-degree child abuse. Also accused of kissing a 16-year-old girl in 2015, and of rubbing a 15-year-old girl's leg during confession the same year. Archdiocese suspended Vazquez after notified by Order of allegations 10/26/2018. Removed as pastor. Parish's child protection coordinator placed on leave. Arrested on new allegations 12/11/2018, of abuse of a girl starting when she was age 9. On the Baltimore archdiocese's list 12/14/2018. Indicted in 5/2019 on seven counts of sex abuse of two children and a woman. Convicted in 8/2019. Motion for a new trial in 9/2019; denied. Sentenced in 11/2019 to 15 years in prison. Found guilty in 11/2021 of abuse, which occurred during confession, of the young woman. Sentenced to 180 days in prison, to be added to the 15-year sentence. Mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report (name spelled Vasquez-Ortega). Included on the Washington archdiocese's list.

Fr. William J. Walsh

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 12/28/2018
Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

In 1996 five of Walsh's nieces told the Jesuits that Walsh sexually abused them hundreds of times as children in the 1940s-1960s, when they were ages 5-14. Walsh was teaching in China in 1996. He was recalled, assigned to the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University, and sent to St. Luke institute for treatment. The women made their allegations public in 1998 because the Order had not removed their uncle. Placed on leave. Per the Order's MD Province, there were credible allegations against Walsh of abuse occurring in the 1950s -1980s. After his removal in 1998, he lived until 2010 at Ferdinand Wheeler House in Baltimore, then the Colombiere Jesuit Community until his death at age 95 in 12/2018. Included on the Province's list 12/17/2018 which notes reports of sexual abuse in PA, MD and DC. Added to the Baltimore Archdiocese's list in 2/2019. Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. William C. Wert

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1986
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Assigned in Ontario Canada, Milwaukee WI, Middletown NY, Houston TX, Washington DC, Encino CA, Joliet and Chicago IL. Charged in 2007 in D.C. with the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old boy. Convicted in 9/2007 of simple assault; sentenced to 180 days in jail and 5 years' probation. Living at Order's retirement home in FL when arrested in Venice FL 2/1/2011; accused of sexually abusing another 14-year-old boy between 9/2010 and 1/2011. The boy's father contacted police after finding improper messages on the boy's phone. Civil suit filed in 3/2011. Order paid $1.75M to settle in 7/15/2011. Criminal trial held in 2/2013. Convicted 3/1/2013. Sentenced to life in prison 5/2013. Laicized in 3/2015. Included in 2020 on the Los Angeles archdiocese's list and in 11/22/20 on the Carmelites' list. Added in 2/2021 to the Joliet diocese's list. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Fr. Miguel Umana Zelaya

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1996
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

First named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 10/15/2018. Removed from ministry in 2000 after a report of abuse. Laicized in 2003.

Sources:

Archdiocese of Washington DC list 10.15.18

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