16 Accused in this Diocese
Deacon Tom Gordon
Status: Reinstated
Diocese: Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee FL
Deacon at Little Flower Catholic Church in Pensacola. On 2/2/2023 the diocese received complaints about Gordon by three Little Flower Catholic School students. Gordon was suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. In 3/2023 the Diocese announced that there was no evidence that the alleged touching was lewd or lascivious. Gordon was returned to ministry.
Sources:
Fr. Arthur Terminello
Status: Accused
Diocese: Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee FL
Named publicly as credibly accused by the Pensacola-Tallahassee diocese on its list in 2020. Died in 1962. (Arrested in 1946 for disorderly conduct after giving a speech in Chicago against Jews, the Roosevelts, Communists and others, resulting in a riot. Convicted. Conviction was overturned in 1949.)
Fr. David McCreanor
From Ireland. Ordained for the Diocese of St. Augustine. Accused in 10/1997 by three sisters of 'seducing' them in the 1980s when they were teenagers. The sisters claimed they came forward to his current Diocese at least 14 months prior to the time they went to the newspapers. McCreanor was not removed from his parish until they went public. Per the Diocese, at least five more women have come forward to claim that he had made sexual overtures toward them. He denied all allegations. No charges filed. Included on the St. Augustine Diocese's list 11/6/2020, abuse noted to have occurred 1973-1975. Included on the Pensacola-Tallahassee Diocese's list of credibly accused. Permanently removed in 1997.
Assignments:
Sources:
Fr. Edward T. Jones
Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Crawfordville and Sacred Heart in Lanark when removed in 8/2018 due to allegation of 'inappropriate contact' with an underage girl in 2004, while assigned to Blessed Sacrament in Tallahassee. State's Attorney was to investigate. Included in 2020 on the diocese's list of credibly accused (first name 'Eddie'). Permanently removed from ministry in 2018.
Fr. James J. Flaherty
Monsignor. Parish priest, Judicial Vicar, Director of the Office of the Tribunal, Director of lay formation and priestly formation. Asked to "step down" for "non-specific concerns" in 2018. Report to police and the Diocese in 2023 that Flaherty sexually abused a boy, age 12 or 13 to 14, beginning in 2011. Flaherty was pastor at the time at St. John the Evangelist and the boy was a student at the parish school. No criminal prosecution due to the statute of limitations. Reportedly in 3/2025, the case was settled. Flaherty's accuser signed a non-disclosure agreement.
Fr. James K. Bluett
From Ireland, where he was ordained. Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list in 2020. Permanently removed from ministry in 2008.
Fr. Louis J. Reczek
Priest of the LaSalette Province of Mary, Mother of the Americas Missionaries. Permanently removed by the Order in 1974. Assigned in Peoria IL early career, including as a hospital chaplain. Active priest in FL 1970s and 1980s until his death. Died in 1986, age 57. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Pensacola-Tallahassee diocese on its list in 2020.
Fr. Michael A. Cherup, Jr.
The Diocese learned on 7/19/2013 of an allegation that Cherup sexually abused a 15-year-old boy in 8/1993, while assigned to Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pensacola. His conduct was described as lewd and lascivious in nature, like "groping." The Diocesan Review Board found the allegation credible. Removed without privileges from St. Mary's in Fort Walton Beach 8/29/2013. Cherup denied all allegations. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused. Noted to have been permanently removed from ministry in 2013.
Assignments:
Sources:
Fr. Michael Wever
Named publicly as credibly accused by the Pensacola-Tallahassee diocese on its list in 2020. Was withdrawn from ministry in 1983.
Fr. Philip E. Halstead
Parish priest. U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonal, based in England, Puerto Rico, Okinawa, the Philippines, Texas, Georgia, and Florida. President of Pensacola Catholic High School 1984-1986. Died in 2002. Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list in 2020.
Fr. Richard Castillo
Admitted to abusing four boys. Reported to police in 1996. No prosecution due to the statute of limitations. In order for the boys to received therapy, their parents had to file a release saying they would not file suit. Two brothers said they had previously told the Diocese of their abuse but were ignored. Castillo was permanently barred from ministry, sent for treatment, and barred from contact with children. Included on the Diocese's 2021 list of credibly accused.
Fr. Sebastian C. Naslund
Ordained for the Benedictine Order. U.S. Air Force Chaplain. Teacher and chaplain 1975-1977 at St. Martin's College in Olympia WA. Assigned in Panama City FL in 1977. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Pensacola-Tallahassee Diocese on its list in 2020. Permanently removed from ministry in 1997.
Fr. Thomas Anthony Crandall
Assigned to St. Rose of Lima in Milton when arrested in 1/2002 for dealing drugs and taking money from the parish. Sentenced to 51 months in federal prison. Out on probation in 2005 when he was arrested on child pornography charges. Convicted by a jury in 6/2006. Sentenced to 10 years in prison. On the sex offender registry. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused. Permanently removed from ministry in 2002.
Fr. Timothy Pathe
From Ireland. Monsignor. Worked in the Mobile AL diocese until 1942. Army chaplain 1942-1946. Priest of the St. Augustine FL diocese 1967-1974. In Pensacola-Tallahassee 1975-1977. Died 2/11/1977. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Pensacola-Tallahassee diocese on its list in 2020.
Fr. Todd O. Hevia
Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list in 2020. Noted to have been permanently removed from ministry in 1997.
Fr. Vijaya Bhaskar Godugunuru
Status: Convicted
Diocese: Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee FL
From India. Visiting friends in Florida and assisting at a local parish in 6/2006 when accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl. Arrested. Later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. Did not serve prison time. Was forced to return to India as part of a plea deal. Civil suit filed in 2/2008 by the girl's parents. He was working as priest in Sarteano, Italy until 4/18/2010. Included on the Pensacola-Talahassee diocese's list of credibly accused.