Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

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Terry McKiernan February 26, 2021

16 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Daniel C. Aerts

Ordained: 1977
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

In 4/2002 Aerts admitted to sexual misconduct with a boy, ages 14-16, in the late 1970s while assigned to St. Thomas and Holy Spirit parishes in Grand Rapids. The boy reportedly had gone to Aerts for counseling due to feelings of same sex attraction, and that Aerts and his male lover introduced him to gay sex, including S&M. He said that another boys, age 16, was also involved. Accused also of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy in 1977 at the Holy Spirit rectory. Apparently the victim Aerts a letter in 2002 and he forwarded it to the Diocese. He resigned from his position. Removed permanently from ministry. The bishop said there was no prior knowledge of abuse. Included in the MI Attorney General's 12/15/2025 Grand Rapids Report. No prosecution due to the statute of limitations.

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Fr. Eugene F. Alvesteffer

Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Died: 01/18/1998
Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Died 1/18/1998. The Diocese revealed in 5/2002 that Alvesteffer had a substantiated allegation against him of the sexual abuse of a minor which occurred while he was assigned in Ludington in the 1970s. Included in the MI Attorney General's 12/15/2025 report. In 1984 a woman reported to the Diocese that Advesteffer had sexually abused her son. She died soon thereafter. Alvesteffer denied the allegation. Accused in 12/1992 of abuse of a boy at St. Simon's Parish in 8/1970. In 10/2012 a man reported to the Diocese that Alvesteffer molested him 1970-1978 in the sacristy at St. Bernadette's, beginning when he was age 7. Another alleged victim was noted by the Diocese in 2010 to have been offered counseling. Per the Diocese in 2019, a man alleged sexual abused by Alvesteffer and Fr. Wagner 1978-1980; the Victims' Assistant Coordinator deemed the allegations credible.

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Fr. Charles Antekeier

Ordained: 1962
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Retired in 2000. Suspended from ministry in 2003. Accused of soliciting sex 30-40 times from a married adult male in 1994 and 1995, including during confession. The solicitation started after the man confided that he had been sexually abused as a boy. Permanently restricted from ministry in 2006. Permanently removed from ministry in 8/2015 and ordered to lead a 'life of prayer and penance.' In 2005 Antekeier was accused of the sexual abuse, including rape, of a St. James altar boy, ages 8-15, beginning in 1969. The boy is said to have told the school principal, who said he was lying. Further, some of the abuse occurred at times during confession. The alleged victim's father said that, as a result of the abuse, his son was an alcoholic by age 14, became violent and spent time in prison. When he became sober in his 40s, he told his father of the abuse. The father said he told the D.A. and the church, but nothing happened. In 2011 a man reported to the Diocese that Antekeier had taken advantage of his vulnerability in the early 2000s by initiating a sexual relationship, and that he had done this with others. He warned the Diocese that Antekeier was dangerous. In 2014 the Diocese received a report that Antekeier sexually abused a 4th or 5th-grade boy in 1984-1985 while pastor of St. James in Grand Rapids. This accuser said that three men who had been in spiritual counseling with Antekeier died by suicide. No prosecution due to the statute of limitations. Another man alleged physical abuse by Antekeier and being asked about masturbation during confession. In 2015 a man told the Diocese that Antekeier was sexually abused him as a seventh- or eight-grader at St. Francis Xavier School in 1989-1990. A man in 2020 told an A.G. investigator that Antekeier sexually abused him as a young boy and continuing into his young adulthood. In 1990 he lived in the St. Francis Xavier rectory with the priest. Another man alleged in 2021 sexual abuse 1966-1970 by Antekeier and another priest when he was a St. Mary's and St. James altar boy, ages 10-14. He said the priests plied him with alcohol. Included in the MI Attorney General's 12/15/2025 Diocese of Grand Rapids report.

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Fr. Rock James Badgerow

Ordained: 1979
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Included in the MI Attorney General's 12/15/2025 Diocese of Grand Rapids Report. Accused in 1993 of sexually abusing a boy, age 15, when he was a freshman at Catholic Central High School. The alleged victim said that he was walking home from the school when Badgerow pulled over in his red jeep and offered him a ride home. The priest allegedly feigned car trouble, then took the boy into the school building and forcibly orally copulated him. Badgerow was at the time assigned to St. Thomas Parish and was known as "really young" and "modern." Badgerow said he didn't remember such an incident and that it may have been the young adult man he he had had a sexual encounter with at a rest stop. In 2004 a man told the Diocese that Badgerow had made sexual passes toward him at St. Patrick's rectory. In 2018 a man reported that Badgerow had recently told him he was attracted to a tenth-grade boy at Sacred Heart Academy, saying, "the older I get the younger I like them. I can't help myself." Badgerow was removed from Sacred Heart but allowed to continue in ministry at St. Ann's Home. He was granted senior priest status in 2023.

Sources:

MI A.G. Grand Rapids Report 12.15.25

Fr. Louis Baudone

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 05/18/2024
Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Included in the 12/15/2025 MI Attorney General's Diocese of Grand Rapids Report. In 4/2002 a woman told the Diocese that her brother, who died by suicide in 1992, was sexually by Baudone at Sacred Heart in Muskegon. She contacted the Diocese after a news article reported that clergy sexual abuse had never happened in Muskegon. The Diocese had paid for her some of brother's therapy and for his funeral. Baudone was the subject of allegations deemed substantiated that he sexually abused two children in 1981 in Muskegon Heights. He was removed from his parish in 1993 due to allegations of child sexual abuse occurring in the early 1970s. Baudone's privileges weren't removed until 7/2002. In 6/2002 a woman reported that Baudone sexually abused her son when he was age 10 and Baudone was assigned to a Lake Odessa parish. The alleged victim told the Diocese in 2003 that Baudone abused him from ages 10-13, during 1979-1981. Accused in 8/2003 of sexually abusing a boy 1976-1980 at St. Edward's in Odessa. Baudone moved to the Diocese of Portland ME around 2004; in 9/2004 the Grand Rapids bishop informed the Portland bishop of allegations. Bauadone was ordered to live a life of prayer and penance. In 1/2008 there was a report that Baudone sexually abused an eight-year-old boy at St. Edward's in 1972, including sodomy. A woman told the A.G.'s office in 9/2018 that when her brother was 11 or 12 in the 1970s, she caught Baudone sexually abusing him. Her brother later died by suicide. She said her parents reported the abuse to the Church and were accused of lying. In 6/2021 a man reported that Baudone "accosted" him in the rectory of St. Patrick's Parish in the mid-to-late 1970s. Baudone died 5/18/2024 in West Paris, ME.

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Fr. Shamaun Beas

Ordained: 1994
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Extern priest from Pakistan. Arrested in 5/2004 in an internet sting and charged with soliciting sex over the Internet from someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. Had previously exhibited "questionable behavior" and was sent for therapy. Sentenced to 5 to 20 years in 3/2006. Later sentenced to 1 year for abuse of a girl. Withdrew guilty plea to additional charges in another county in 7/2008. The girl's sister also alleged abuse. Sentenced to another 16-24 months in 10/2008 for abuse of both sisters.

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Fr. Vincent W. Bryce

Order: OP
Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

A man accused Bryce in 4/2002 of abusing him as a boy in about 1977. The complaint was made to the Chicago office of the Dominican Order who notified the Diocese of Grand Rapids, where Bryce was working. Bryce was immediately removed from his assignment and returned to the Order's headquarters. Bryce admitted to the abuse, which occurred in another (unspecified) state. Reported to be living at St. Louis U's Jesuit Hall, but the the Catholic Directories show him to be living at St. Dominic Priory in St. Louis 2003 through at least 2017. Per the Order's St. Albert the Great Province list 4/21/2022, the abuse occurred in the early 1970s at St. Vincent Ferrer in River Forest, IL. Included on the Chicago archdiocese's list in 10/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes one "reported survivor." Died in 2023.

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Fr. Stanislaus Bur

Ordained: 1950
Status: Accused

Died: 02/1/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Accused in 1992 of molesting an Ionia altar boy in 1958. The Grand Rapids Diocese found the accusations credible; paid up to $1,000/month for the victim's therapy for several years. Bur, then in the Saginaw diocese, was removed from active ministry. Permanent suspension, given a life of prayer and penance in 11/2005. Additional allegations of old abuse were made public in 3/2008. Died 2/1/2009.

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Fr. Lawrence N. Hartwig

Ordained: 1967
Status: Guilty plea

Died: 09/21/1998
Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

"Larry." Reportedly in 5/2002, the Grand Rapids Diocese had substantiated allegations against Hartwig and seven other priests. Hartwig was named in single allegation of abuse occurring in Muskegon in 1982. News reports in 1982 show that Hartwig pleaded no contest to sexual assault on a 16-year-old boy. He was ordered to pay $100 in court costs. Per the Official Catholic Directory, Hartwig was "on duty outside the diocese" beginning in 1987. It shows him as: chaplain at St. Francis Hospital/Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT 1987-1990; chaplain at St. Mary Hospital in Springfield, MA 1990-1991; Director of Pastoral Ministry fo Santa Rosa Health Care in San Antonio, TX 1991-1994. His whereabouts 1994-1998 are unclear. Hartwig died 9/21/1998.

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Fr. Donald J. Heydens

Ordained: 1970
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

In the early 1990s the Diocese substantiated allegations that Heydens sexually abused four teenage girls at a parish in the early 1970s. Out of court settlements in 1989 and 1994. Ministry restricted; assignments included the diocese's program for deacons. Removed from all ministry in 7/2002, after the 6/2002 Dallas Bishops Conference. Assigned to a 'life of prayer and penance.'

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Fr. Richard J. Host

Ordained: 1974
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

In a civil suit filed in 11/1988 a woman accused Host and her ex-husband of molesting her boys, ages 4 and 6, over a two-year period. The suit also included claims against the USCC and NCCB (Catholic conferences). Kept in ministry.

Sources:

Niles Daily Star 11.17.88

Fr. Joseph W. Kenshol

Ordained: 1973
Status: Settled

Died: 12/19/2022
Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Accused in a 1995 civil suit of giving adolescent boys full body oil massages in the rectory of Sacred Heart Parish. Claims were later settled for undisclosed amount after underlying suits were dismissed by Court and Appeals Court. Diocese said behavior was "immature and inappropriate, indicating poor judgment but nothing more." He was allowed to return to ministry. Died 12/19/2022.

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Fr. William A. Langlois

Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish pastor 1996 until retirement in 2016. In 2014 he admitted to an inappropriate relationship with a woman and took a 6-month leave. Laicization announced by the diocese in 5/2021, due to an allegation deemed credible that Langlois sexually abused a minor beginning in 1999 and continuing into the victim's adulthood until 2006. He reportedly began grooming the girl when she was 12 or 13 in 1994 or 1995, when she went to him for counseling after her mother died. The Diocese received the allegation in 2018. He was removed from ministry during investigations by the Diocese and MI Attorney General.

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WZZM. 05.07.21

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Fr. David E. LeBlanc

Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Died: 08/20/2019
Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

LeBlanc resigned from his parish in 1/2007 after admitting to Bishop Hurley that he had sexually abused a pre-teen boy in 1971. The accusation was brought to the Diocese in 1993 and LeBlanc admitted it then. Apparently then-Bishop Rose did nothing. The matter was brought to light in 1/2007 when the bishop reviewed personnel files. In 4/2019 a man stated publicly that LeBlanc molested him at a Caledonia parish in 1999, when he was age 12. No prosecution due to the statute of limitations. Died 8/20/2019.

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Fr. Michael McKenna

Ordained: 1973
Status: Accused

Died: 10/26/2023
Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Permanently removed from all ministry in 12/2006 after credible allegations that he sexually abused a child in the 1970s. Took sabbatical in 2002. Placed on medical leave in the 2003 before the allegations arose. Multiple transfers throughout his career. Apparently there are "several" victims per the bishop. Prosecutors said evidence shows abuse but the statute of limitations prohibits criminal prosecution. Additional allegations of old abuse became public in 3/2008. McKenna died 10/26/2023.

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Fr. Dennis A. Wagner

Ordained: 1978
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Pleaded guilty in 1983 to assault and battery of a 13-year-old boy during a tubing trip. Given two years probation and received counseling. Apparently admitted in 1983 that he had molested more than one boy. A man told the diocese in the early 1990 that Wagner raped him in a lake in 1985. No criminal charges due to the statute of limitations. Diocese gave the man money for therapy. Wagner was allowed to work as a canon lawyer in the Diocesan Tribunal Office. Suspended in 5/2002. Diocese received six substantiated allegations. Wagner agreed to ask for laicization.

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