62 Accused in This Diocese
- BA.org Assignment Record
- Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19
- Diocese of Covington List 07.31.20
- Newsweek 03.20.24
- Cincinnati Enquirer 12.12.92
- Cincinnati Enquirer 02.23.93
- Cincinnati Enquirer 02.27.93
- Courier Journal 04.01.93
- Cincinnati Enquirer 05.05.93
- United Press International 06.24.93
- Courier Journal 06.24.93
- Times-Picayune 07.03.93
- Cincinnati Enquirer 11.10.95
- Cincinnati Enquirer 11.18.95
- Cincinnati Enquirer 11.22.95
- Santa Fe New Mexican 01.11.96
- Cincinnati CityBeat 08.15.02
- Cincinnati Enquirer 02.28.03
- Cincinnati Enquirer 09.20.03
- Cincinnati Post 10.13.03
- Kentucky Post 06.14.05
- Lexington Herald-Leader 06.16.05
- Cincinnati CityBeat 07.20.05
- Cincinnati Enquirer 07.28.06
- Lorenz Testimony 03.01.07
- Albuquerque Journal 05.12.16
- Archdiocese of Santa Fe list 09.12.17
- Taos News 11.15.18
- Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19
- Evansville Courier & Press 04.18.19
- WJLA TV 07.12.19
- Diocese of Covington List 07.31.20
- Capital Gazette 03.07.21
- Cincinnati Enquirer 06.15.02
- Cincinnati Enquirer 07.10.02
- Cincinnati Enquirer 01.23.03
- Cincinnati Enquirer 02.13.03
- Cincinnati Post 02.27.03
- Cincinnati Enquirer 02.28.03
- Kentucky Post 03.13.03
- Cincinnati Enquirer 04.23.03
- Kentucky Post 04.23.03
- Cincinnati Enquirer 08.13.03
- Kentucky Post 05.22.04
- Cincinnati Post 11.24.04
- Diocese of Covington List 07.31.20
- Lexington Herald-Leader 07.12.09
- WTVQ 07.12.09
- State Journal 10.22.09
- State Journal 11.14.09
- State Journal 03.19.10
- Lexington Herald-Leader 03.22.10
- Catholic Culture 03.23.10
- Lexington Herald-Leader 03.23.10
- State Journal 05.20.10
- Lexington Herald-Leader 05.21.10
- WYKT 05.21.10
- WKYT 09.23.10
- WKYT 10.01.10
- WCPO TV 11.18.19
- Covington Diocese List 07.31.20
- Lexington Herald Leader 08.15.20
- Diocese of Lexington List 08.17.20
Fr. James Edward Fritsch
"Edward." Accused in a 2002 lawsuit of raping a girl, age 13, in 1966. The complainaint demanded release of Fritsch's diocesan file. A settlement in 12/2004 revealed that the Covington Diocese had hospitalized Fritsch in 1965 after he had "contact with about 9 to 10 girls," one age 15. He was assigned in 1965 to St. William's in Lancaster, KY. The behavior continued during treatment. Fritsch was returned to work, then suspended. Sent to the Owensboro diocese. The complainant alleges abuse there and in the Evansville IN diocese. Fritsch left the priesthood and married in 1969. He went on to work in NJ as a clinical social worker and on a school board. Included on the Diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). On the Lexington Diocese's list in 8/2020.
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Fr. Paul Marion Arbogast
Removed in 9/2003 from Covington Latin School, where he was a teacher, after allegations of abuse. He was headmaster of the school 1968-1973. Left the priesthood in the 1980s. Laicized and married in 1993. Returned to Covington Latin in 2002 as a lay teacher. Identified as "Priest 32" in pending litigation. Named in pleadings in other pending litigation against the Covington and Lexington dioceses, which say he was part of a ring of priests in the 1970s who held parties to which they brought boys as their dates. Sent for treatment in the 1970s. Died 10/16/2013. Included on the diocese's 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). On the Lexington diocese's list in 8/2020, where he worked at Lexington Catholic High School 1981-1986.
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Fr. Frederick Gervais Bamberger
Named publicly by the diocese on its 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 12/1/1971.
Fr. Robert Alan Berberich
Named publicly by the diocese on its 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Left ministry in 1991.
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Sr. Marlene Bertke
A former student nun filed a lawsuit in 10/2002 alleging that she was abused in 1959 in her first year at St. Walburg Convent by Sister Christopher, whose given name is Marlene Bertke. The student was 18 at the time. In the same suit, the woman also alleged that she had been previously abused at Villa Madonna Academy (a girls' school) by another nun and that a third nun also fondled her. Bertke transferred in 1974 from KY to the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, PA.
Fr. Earl Charles Bierman
First complaints received in 1961. May have abused 100s of boys. Long time Covington Latin School faculty member; Diocese knew when he arrived at the school in 1968 that he had abused at least 50 boys. In and out of treatment, including Jemez Springs, NM in the Santa Fe diocese, where he was allowed to work at a parish and minor seminary. Assigned 1975-1976 to St. Francis Seminary in the Altoona-Johnstown, PA diocese. Faculties removed 7/9/1992. Arrested in 11/1992, charged with sodomizing a boy, age 15, in 1974. Allowed to live at the Diocese's Catholic Center until arrested in 2/1993 for threatening to kill a journalist who was a former student. Convicted in 1993 of abuse of six boys; received a 20-year sentence. Died in prison 6/13/2005. Sued in KY and NM. One case in 1995 went to a jury verdict of $700K in punitive damages after the Diocese was accused of failing to reveal abuse of other victims. Another suit settled in 2003. Suit filed in Albuquerque in 5/2016 claiming abuse in 1963-1964 of a 15-year-old boy. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese list 9/12/2017. On the Covington diocese's 7/31/2020 list.
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Sr. Mary Justa Birochik
Entered the Convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame (S.N.D.) in 1939. Included on the Diocese of Covington's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Worked at St. Joseph Orphanage 1950-1952. Per her obituary, Birochik "shared her culinary skills" in the Dioceses of Covington, Lexington and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. She died 5/23/2002.
Fr. Joseph L. Bradley
Status: Accused
Diocese: Diocese of Covington KY
From the Diocese of Salford, Manchester, England. Worked in the Diocese of Covington 1964-1966. Included on the Diocese of Covington's 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s).
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Fr. Raymond Leo Broering
Included on the Covington diocese's 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Retired 8/1/1995. Administrative leave 11/10/2004. Died 3/12/2013. Included on the Lexington diocese's list in 8/2020, with one known credible allegation of abuse, occurring at Sacred Heart in Corbin in 1982.
Fr. Joseph Aloysius Browne
Also referred to as "James Aloysius" or "Jay" Browne. Sued in 2003. Accused of rape of a girl, ages 13-16, who was a resident of Diocesan Children's Home in Fort Mitchell 1963-1966. He allegedly gave her alcohol, impregnated her and and forced an abortion. He left the priesthood in 1969, married, and moved to Canada. Laicized 11/3/1973. Died 1/13/2013. Included on the diocese's 7/3/2020 of those with substantiated allegationa(s).
Br. Thomas Bryan
Included on the Diocese of Covington's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Assigned to Newport Catholic High School 1964-1965. Died 4/16/2020.
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Fr. Raymond Chappa
Included on the Diocese of Covington's 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Assigned 1984-1986 to Our Lady of Good Counsel in Hazard, KY. Married in 1995. Laicized 1/29/1996. Included on the Lexington diocese's list in 8/2020. One known victim, abused 1984-1986, in Hazard. Settlement with the Order in 12/2008. Added to the New Orleans archdiocese's list in 12/2020. Included on the Cincinnati archdiocese's list 2/14/2022. Included in 6/2022 on the St. John the Baptist Franciscans list. Chappa died in 1/2021.
Fr. Paul Peter Ciangetti
Died 6/19/1995. Named in a 2002 employment suit by a father and son. The son alleged that, as an altar boy, he was physically and sexually abused in 1971-1972 by Ciangetti and that, as an adult, he was abused by Rev. J. Kendrick Williams, who later became bishop. Suit settled in 2003. Diocese paid $50K for the abuse claim. Accused of abuse in two additional suits filed in 2003. One accuser said the abuse occurred when he was an altar boy, ages 7-13, at Mary Queen of Heaven in Erlanger. Another claimed abuse at the same parish, 1967-1969, starting at age 12. Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s).
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Fr. Louis Henry Dickmann
"Lou." Included on the diocese's 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Suspended 3/24/2014. Died 10/6/2021.
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Fr. Charles Anthony Donovan
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 10/21/1990.
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Fr. Gerald M. Fitzgerald
Name included on the diocese's 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 3/13/1985.
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Fr. Douglas F. Fortner
Placed on leave in 11/2006 due to a credible allegation of the sexual abuse of a child dating back at least 25 years. "Charter suspension" in 2/2009. Laicized 1/27/2010. Died 1/30/2015. Per his obituary, Fortner was a retired priest of the diocese. Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s).
Fr. Richard Frazier
Worked at Camp Marydale and the Campbell Lodge Boys Home as a lay person. Removed from ministry in 1/2006 after allegations of abuse in the late 1970s-early 1980s, prior to ordination. Also accused of abuse of a child in the late 1990s, while a priest. Allegations were made as part of a settlement of a class action suit against the diocese. Frazier denied abuse. Laicized 10/11/2010. Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegations. Died 9/16/2020.
Fr. Bernard John Gieske
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Left ministry in 1974. Laicized 1/4/1975.
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Fr. John Wiley Goeke
"Jack." Arraigned 8/1994 on charges of the sexual abuse of two girls in the early 1960s; removed by the Diocese. Criminal charges were dropped when the women did not want to pursue them. A third woman filed a civil suit which claimed Goeke took advantage of her when she sought marriage counseling. This suit settled in 1997. Permanently removed in 2002 after the Dallas Bishops Conference. Two women filed complaints in 12/2004 as part of a class action, alleging abuse in 1963 and 1971 when they were ages 11 and 15. Honored at an event in 6/2018 by a housing non-profit in Northern KY, where he had been involved for 25 years. On the non-profit's board was another diocesan priest, who emceed the event. Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 6/7/2023.
Fr. Robert Louis Gruber
Retired in 1998. Died 2/3/2003. Name included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s).
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Fr. Ralph Clarence Hartman
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). "Charter Suspension" 9/9/2002 noted. Died 7/9/2020.
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Fr. Henry Charles Hils
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 1/3/1982.
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Fr. Louis Joseph Holtz
A man told the Diocese in 1995 that Holtz sexually abused him as a boy 1974-1975. Claims were settled in 1997 and Holtz agreed to be laicized. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 12/2002 of abusing a boy in 1970. One plaintiff alleging abuse by Holtz joined a 2003 class action suit against the Diocese, but later withdrew and settled. Laicization announced 8/12/2003. Died 10/27/2014. Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). (Brother of accused priest Raymond Holtz.)
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Fr. Raymond Charles Holtz
Retired 7/1/2001. Died 11/27/2003. Named included on diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). (Brother of accused priest Louis Holtz.)
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Sr. Mary Eugene Imbus
Given name Rosemary Imbus. Included on the Diocese of Covington's list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Worked at Villa Madonna Academy 1955-1958. Dispensed from vows 6/3/1966. Went on to marry. Died 4/15/2005.
Fr. Herman Bernard Kamlage
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegations. Ministry restricted 10/9/1994. Retired 4/28/1995. "Charter Suspension" 9/13/2002. Died 12/01/2018. Reportedly, court records show accusations against Kamlage of the abuse of at least six boys, ages 5-18, during visits to the priest's cabin at Lake Carnico. Journals kept by Kamlage 1981-1985 surfaced in 7/2020, in which he asked God for forgiveness for "carnal" behavior, and said of a boy's pending visit, "What fantasies and anticipation."
Fr. Robert Paul Klein
Accused in a 12/2003 civil suit of abusing a youth at Sacred Heart Parish in Bellevue in 1964, three years after Klein was told to investigate allegations against Rev. Earl Bierman. Klein told Bishop Ackerman; nothing else done. Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s) of abuse. Klein retired in 1992. "Charter Suspension" 9/9/2002. Died 6/20/2005. Included on the Lexington diocese's list in 8/2020. It notes the 1964 allegation, deemed credible, and that there is evidence that Klein admitted to the abuse. Also, a lawsuit by a different victim in Boone County settled.
Fr. James Edward Kleman
In 12/2003, a woman joined a class action suit against the diocese, alleging she was abused by Kleman in Northern Kentucky in 1959 when she was 10. She also alleged that Kleman abused her (now) deceased older brother when the boy was 12. Kleman reportedly also abused a teenage boy at least 50 times 1958-1961. This claimant was also included in the settlement. Kleman died 3/9/1974.
Fr. Daniel Michael Lally
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Retired in 1986. Died 12/13/1991.
Fr. Larry Bruce Leslie
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s) of abuse. Parish priest in KY, military chaplain in Japan, CA, SC. Permission to serve in Navy rescinded by diocese 9/30/2002. "Charter Suspension" 10/3/2002. Last known to be living in CA.
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Fr. Thomas Victor Lloyd
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Suspended in 1993.
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Fr. David Mark MacPherson
In 2003 two women settled claims with the Covington diocese over allegations that MacPherson molested them in the 1960s at St. Patrick's in Maysville. The diocese paid a total of $750K to the two women and to a man who alleged abuse by Fr. Earl Bierman. Both women were part of a class action suit filed against the Diocese of Covington. MacPherson left active ministry in 1978 and was laicized 1/20/1984. Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s).
Fr. Raymond Anthony McClanahan
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 12/1/1978.
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Fr. William Henry Mertes
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Retired in 1981. Died 4/22/2003.
Deacon David Meyer
Ordained a permanent deacon in 1999. Placed on leave 2/23/2007 from his assignment at Blessed Sacrament in Fort Mitchell after an allegation of abuse of a public school student thirty years prior. Included on the diocese's 7/2020 list of those with substantiated allegations. It notes that Meyer worked 1977-1979 at Third District Elementary School in Covington.
Fr. Norbert Henry Middendorf
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 5/7/1970.
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Fr. Gary Albert Miller
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). "Charter Suspension" 9/10/2002. Died 7/28/2016.
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Fr. Reuben Thomas Moscowitz
Included on the Covington diocese's 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Per news articles from the time, Moscowitz was charged in 1952 with transporting a 14-year-old Newport girl from KY to Washington DC for "immoral purposes." His first trial, in 12/1952, failed due to "jury disagreement." An FBI agent testified that Moscowitz "broke down and cried" and said the priest "regretted having brought disgrace to himself and the girl." Moscowitz had been sent to DC by the diocese after the girl's parents complained about his behavior with their daughter. Moscowitz bought the girl an airline ticket so she could join him in DC. Retried and convicted in 3/1953. Sentenced to two years in prison. Left the diocese in 1956. Died 5/25/1974.
Fr. Joseph Nicholas Muench
Ordained for the Diocese of Covington. Incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington when it was created in 1988. In 3/2009 three men told the Lexington diocese that Muench abused them in the 1980s, while assigned to Good Shepherd in Frankfort. Suspended in 7/2009. Indicted in 10/2009 for the abuse of two of the accusers 1980-1981 and 1984-1985. Named in a 11/2009 civil suit by a victim in a criminal case. Entered Alford Plea in 3/2010. Sentenced to two one-year terms in prison, to run concurrently. Released 9/30/2010. Living in 2019 in Independence, KY. Included on the Covington diocese's 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). On the Lexington diocese's list in 8/2020. It notes five known victims in the 1980s in Frankfort. Case sent to the Vatican.
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Fr. William Charles Neuroth
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Laicized 12/18/1970. Became an Anglican Catholic priest in 1980. Died 5/4/2018.
Fr. Raymond Lawrence Nieman
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Retired in 1981. Died 1/7/2002.
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Fr. John Albert Osterhage
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 4/27/1973, age 40.
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Fr. Michael David Ott
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Left active ministry in 1988.
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Fr. Gerald L. Reinersman
Reinersman, the Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese and former Moderator of the Curia, was placed on leave in 5/2004 after a man alleged that Reinersman molested him repeatedly as a young boy in 1979, at Mary Queen of Holy Rosary in Lexington. Reinersman denied all allegations. A special civilian review board handled review of this case. Reinersman was cleared and reinstated as an active priest in 2/2005. The board said that "it couldn't rule out that his accuser simply accused the wrong priest."
Fr. Emmeran Rettger
Named publicly as accused by the St. Vincent Abbey Benedictines in 8/2018. Multiple allegations of abuse dating to his time at St. Benedict's in Covington, KY 1965-1967. Per the Archabbey, the allegations were received in 1993, and Rettger was removed from active ministry. Included on the Diocese of Covington's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 6/10/1999.
Fr. George Joseph Schumacher
Permanently removed in 1/2003 due to a 1983 allegation that he plied a 13-year-old boy with alcohol, then sexually molested him during a campout. The boy was a resident of Campbell Lodge Boys Home (for troubled boys), run by Schumacher. The alleged victim reported the abuse to police in 1983 and Schumacher was removed. By 1986 Schumacher was back at Campbell Lodge and in 1996 he was given a parish assignment. Included on the Diocese of Covington's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). It notes a "Charter Suspension" 9/13/2002.
Fr. John Stanley Schutzman
Included on the Covington diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Retired in 1990. Died 11/26/1996.
Sister Julia
Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd (R.G.S.). Worked at the Good Shepherd Home 1950-1951.
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Sister Michael
Name included on the Diocese of Covington's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Worked at Good Shepherd Home 1950-1951.
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Sister Reparata
Member of the Sisters of Divine Providence (C.D.P.). Name included on the Covington diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Worked at St. Bernard Elementary School 1958-1966. Died 3/16/1987.
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Sister Terrance
In 10/2002 a former student nun filed a lawsuit alleging that she was fondled in 1959 or 1960 at St. Walburg Convent by a Sister Terrance, whose given name was unknown. In the same suit, the woman also alleges that she had been previously abused at Villa Madonna Academy (a girls' school) by another nun and that a third nun also fondled her during her first year at St. Walburg Monastery. The plaintiff left the convent in 1971.
Fr. Mark A. Steidle
Removed 4/20/2004 after allegations that he had inappropriately touched a minor in the fall of 1994 at Marydale Retreat Center, where he was chaplain. He denied all allegations. Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Noted to have been a resident of RECON/Wounded Brothers Proect, a facility for troubled priests near St. Louis, MO as of 7/2/2000. Died in 2009.
Br. Richard Strathern
Name included on the Diocese of Covington's list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Assigned to Covington Catholic High School 1966-1972. Withdrew from the Order 4/16/1973.
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Fr. Leo Francis Trimbur
Ordained for the Diocese of Covington. Incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington when it was created in 1988. Included on the Covington diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 2/23/2004.
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Fr. Robert Anthony Wendeln
Included on the Diocese of Covington's 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Left the diocese in 1968. Died 1/1/1987.
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Fr. Paul Volk Wethington
Ordained for the Diocese of Covington. Incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington when it was created in 1988. Included on the Covington diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 5/6/1998.
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Br. Joseph Wilhelm
Entered the De La Salle Christian Brothers in 1942. Took final vows in 1948. Name included on the Diocese of Covington's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Assigned to Newport Catholic High School 1963-1977. Also taught in Chicago IL, St. Paul MN, Jefferson City MO, Memphis TN, Santa Fe NM, Cincinnati OH. Died 9/6/2011.
Fr. George Robert Witt
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Parish priest, teacher, Navy chaplain. Retired to Palm Beach FL 7/1/1988. Died 5/25/2004.
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Fr. Paul Aloysius Wolfzorn
Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 8/31/1988.
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Fr. Irwin Charles Wolke
Included on the Covington diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 12/14/1978. On the Lexington diocese's list in 8/2020, where he was assigned 1960-1965.
Fr. David Harry Zaumeyer
Parish priest, teacher, KY state police chaplain. Included on the diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Left active ministry in 1973. Married. Died 5/1/1983.