Diocese of Grand Rapids MI - BishopAccountability.org

15 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Daniel C. Aerts

Ordained: 1977
Status: Accused

In 4/02 Aerts admitted to sexual misconduct with a teen in 1979 while assiged to St. Thomas and Holy Spirit parishes in Grand Rapids. Apparently the victim sent him a letter in 2002 and he forwarded it to the Diocese. He resigned from his position. The bishop said there was no prior knowledge of abuse.

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Fr. Eugene F. Alvesteffer

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Alvesteffer's name appeared on list of priests from the Grand Rapids diocese in 5/02. There apparently was a single allegation while Alvesteffer was working in Ludington in the 1970s. Per the 1988 Catholic Directory he was "on special assignment." Died 1/18/98.

Sources:

Findagrave 01.18.98
Grand Rapids Press 05.17.02

Fr. Charles Antekeier

Ordained: 1962
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Retired in 2000. Alleged to have sexually abused a minor 1984-85 while pastor of St. James in Grand Rapids. Permanently removed from ministry in 8/15, ordered to lead a 'life of prayer and penance." Per 8/15 news report, also accused of abuse, including rape, of a prepubescent St. James altar boy in the early 1970s. 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.

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Diocese of Grand Rapids 08.14.15
WZZM 08.15.15

Fr. Louis Baudone

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Allegations deemed substantiated that Baudone molested two children in 1981 in Muskegon County. He "retired" from his duties in 1993 when allegations first surfaced. Privileges not removed until 2002. Additional allegations of old abuse became public in 3/08.

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Fr. Shamaun Beas

Ordained: 1994
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Extern priest from Pakistan. Arrested in 5/04 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 3/06. Later sentenced to 1 year for abuse of a girl. Withdrew guilty plea to additional charges in another county in 7/08. The girl's sister also alleged abuse. Sentenced to another 16-24 months in 10/08 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 4/02 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. Apparently Bryce admitted to the abuse, which occurred in another (unspecified) state. Reportedly in 2007 he was still an ordained priest. 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. Included on the Chicago archdiocese's list in 10/22.

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Fr. Stanislaus Bur

Ordained: 1950
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Accused in 1992 of molesting an Ionia altar boy in 1958. Grand Rapids diocese found 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, assigned to life of prayer and penance in 11/05. Additional allegations of old abuse were made public in 3/08. Died 2/1/09.

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Fr. Lawrence N. Hartwig

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1967
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Reportedly in 5/02, 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. 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 1987-90; chaplain at St. Mary Hospital in Springfield, MA 1990-91; Director of Pastoral Ministry fo Santa Rosa Health Care in San Antonio, TX 1991-94.His whereabouts 1994-98 are unclear. Hartwig died 9/21/98.

Sources:

Grand Rapids Press 05.17.02

Fr. Donald J. Heydens

Ordained: 1970
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

In the early 1990s, the diocese substantiated four allegations of abuse involving young girls in the early 1970s. The diocese made out of court settlements in 1989 and 1994. Heydens remained active as a priest until he was removed from position as of 8

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Fr. Richard J. Host

Ordained: 1974
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

In a civil suit filed in 11/88 a woman accused Host and her ex-husband of molesting her four- and six-year-old boys over a two-year period. The suit also included claims against the USCC and NCCB (catholic conferences). Host was still an active parish priest per 2002 Catholic Directory and the Diocesan website accessed on 5/28/04.

Fr. Joseph W. Kenshol

Ordained: 1973
Status: Settled

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. Still active as of 1/11, per Grand Rapids website.

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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 5/21, 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 '95, 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.

Assignments:

WZZM. 05.07.21

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Fr. David E. LeBlanc

Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

LeBlanc resigned from his parish in 1/07 after admitting to Bishop Hurley that he had 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. Matter brought to light in 1/07 when the bishop reviewed personnel files. In 4/19 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.

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Fr. Michael McKenna

Ordained: 1973
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Permanently removed from all ministry in 12/06 after allegations he abused a child in the 1970s. Took sabbatical in 2002. Placed on medical leave in 2003 before allegations arose. Diocese deemed accusations credible. Multiple transfers throughout his career. Apparently there are "several" victims per the bishop. Prosecutors said evidence shows abuse but statute of limitations prohibits criminal prosecution. Additional allegations of old abuse became public in 3/08.

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Fr. Dennis A. Wagner

Ordained: 1978
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Grand Rapids MI

Pled 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 SOL. Diocese gave the man money for therapy. Wagner was allowed to work as a canon lawyer in Diocesan Tribunal Office. Suspended in 5/02. Diocese received six substantiated allegations. Agreed to ask for laicization.

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