Diocese of Duluth MN - BishopAccountability.org

22 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Roland Joseph Antus

Ordained: 1962
Status: Accused

Diocese announced in 8/18 that Antus had credible allegations against him of having sexually abused a child in the 1980s at St. James parish in Duluth. Per the diocese's list 11/26/19, Antus was removed from ministry 5/16/16 and his faculties revoked. Died 6/21/20.

Assignments:

Diocese of Duluth List updated 11.26.19

Sources:

Duluth News Tribune 08.05.18
Diocese of Duluth List updated 11.26.19
Nelson Funeral Care Obituary accessed 11.12.20

Fr. Kirby Blanchard

Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

On 12/31/13, the diocese released its list of 17 clergy, including Blanchard, who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of young persons while serving in the diocese and another five who had been accused while residing in the diocese at some time. Served 40 years in churches in Duluth, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes and beyond, including 17 years as a chaplain at St. Joseph's Hospital in Brainerd. Retired 12/5/93 and removed from ministry 12/27/95. Died 8/11/06. No further information revealed.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Louis Brouillard

Ordained: 1948
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

Extern from Agana, Guam diocese. Admitted to sex abuse of many boys on Guam as priest and scoutmaster; active there 1940s-1981. Duluth diocese released list 12/31/13. Worked in the diocese 7/81 to 11/12/85 before removal from ministry. No faculties. Living in Pine City MN in 12/13. Named in about 200 lawsuits. Complaints mostly of abuse of boys, including boys scouts and altar boys, and of at least 2 girls. Scoutmaster. Said to have taken nude photos of children, raped 10 boys each night in the '70s at a boy scout jamboree on Guam, engaged in group sex with children, took several altar boys to MN and Canada where he sexually abused them. Deposed age 96 10/31/17-11/3/17. Died 10/10/18.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Victor Lucien Chateauvert

Donate Photo

Order: MSF
Ordained: 1973
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

Accused of molesting two boys over a three-year period at a Bull Dog Lake parish. Boys were 14 and 19 when Chateauvert was arrested in 12/92. Immediately removed from ministry and returned to Order. Sentenced to 6 months in jail in 2/93. Also worked in Ottawa, Ontario Canada at Our Lady of the Visitation from 1974 to 1978 and again in 1982. Died in 3/99. Name included on diocese's 12/31/13 list of 17 clergy who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of young persons while serving in the diocese.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Leonard Colston

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Ordained: 1980
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

On 12/31/13, the diocese released its list of 17 clergy, including Colston, who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of young persons while serving in the diocese and another five who had been accused while residing in the diocese at some time. Ordained at 55, Colston served only 6 years before being removed 9/6/86 and resigning from diocese. Died 11/4/04.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Raymond Cossette

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

On 12/31/13, the diocese released its list of 17 clergy, including Cossette, who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of young persons while serving in the diocese and another five who had been accused while residing in the diocese at some time. Retired 1/1/95. Worked in High Schools and as diocesan Superintendent of Schools. Diocese began new investigation of allegations when name released. Died in Brainerd 6/25/16.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Frederick Fox

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Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

On 12/31/13, the diocese released its list of 17 clergy, including Fox, who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of young persons while serving in the diocese and another five who had been accused while residing in the diocese at some time. Fox spent the last 16-17 years of career on leave to work with the Family Services-Duluth Drug Abuse Program. Retired in 6/1/87. Removed from ministry 1/28/88. Died 6/17/99.

Sources:

Fr. John Golobich

Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

Included on Duluth diocese's 12/31/13 list of 17 clergy who were credibly accused of sexual abuse of young persons. Reprimanded for inappropriate behavior involving hugging and kissing. No time frame given. Served as pastor in Hibbing, Kerrick, Lakewood, Gnesen, Tower, Silver Bay and Duluth. Retired 7/14/93. Died 6/5/11.

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Fr. Ralph Goniea

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1963
Status: Accused

Died: 03/24/2003
Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

Name included on 12/31/13 list released by diocese of 17 clergy who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of young persons while serving in the diocese, and another five who had been accused while residing in the diocese at some time. Assistant Pastor of St. Jean's in Duluth 9/1/65 - 12/22/66. He was no longer working in the diocese when the allegation was received. No comments on what Order did or when complaint received. Name included in 10/14 on the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis list. Died 3/24/03.

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Fr. William C. Graham

Ordained: 1976
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

Pastor of St. Michael's in Duluth when placed on leave 5/23/2016 after accused in a lawsuit of sex abuse of a boy, ages 15-16, in 1977-1978. The boy was a student at Cathedral High, where Graham worked variously as principal, chaplain, religious studies department head and teacher. Per the suit, the accuser's father told the diocese of the alleged abuse in 2010. Graham denied the accusation and filed suit 7/2016 against his accuser. Diocese announced in 8/2018 that the allegations against Graham were credible. Jury trial for Graham's suit against his accuser 8/21/2018. Jury said accuser interfered with Graham's contractual duties when he filed claims in 5/2016, but did not intentionally inflict distress on him. Accuser ordered to pay Graham $13,500 in damages. Graham permanently removed from ministry. Added in 12/2019 to the Diocese of Joliet's list. Included in 10/2022 on the Chicago archdiocese's list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Diocese of Duluth List updated 11.26.19

Sources:

Fr. Cornelius Kelleher

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

From Ireland. Retired in 7/12 after spending his entire career in the Duluth diocese. The diocese announced in 10/13 that over a year earlier, in 9/12, it had received a credible allegation that Kelleher had sexually abused a minor female during his time as pastor of St. Joseph Church in Chisholm from 1975 to 1986. His privileges as a retired priest were removed in 10/12.

Fr. Robert William Klein

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Ordained: 1956
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

Arrested in 9/87 and removed from ministry. Charged with four counts of criminal sexual misconduct with three boys, ages 15, 13 and 12 and one, girl age 10, between 1985-1987. Police found 700 photos in his residence, including children in bondage. He was without assignment at the time of his arrest, working as a fill-in. Pled not guilty in 12/87. Found guilty 12/18/87. Named in at least four civil suits. Died 2/16/00. New suit filed 12/09/13 claimed abuse in the early 1970s. Named on the diocese's list of accused priests 12/31/13. Jury trial related to civil case filed in 2013 to begin in 8/16.

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Fr. Brian M. Lederer

Ordained: 2012
Status: Charges Dropped

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

Arrested 5/15, held on suspicion of sexual misconduct with minor. Released after posting bond. Associate pastor, Blessed Sacrament in Hibbing. Charged 8/27/15 with criminal sexual conduct with a fourth minor. All four were girls, ages 10-14, two of them sisters. Incidents said to have occurred during 2014-15. Lederer also charged with possession of child porn. A boy under age 10 told police Lederer showed him videos of nude people in a computer class; police found 5 images of suspected child porn on the priest's computer. Jury trial 6/16; acquitted of abuse of the girls. Child porn charge dropped 10/16 for "insufficient evidence" that he viewed the child porn intentionally.

Fr. Mark J. Makowski

Ordained: 1987
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

Charged 1/95 with molesting a 16-year-old boy in the rectory after giving the boy alcohol. Removed 1/12/95 without privileges. In a plea bargain on 3/29/95, pled guilty to fourth-degree misconduct. Sentenced to six months in jail and seven years' probation. Later became affiliated with the MN Episcopal Diocese (not as priest) and arrangements were in place to monitor him while on church property. Named on 12/31/13 Duluth list of priests with credible allegations. Last known to be living in Sun City, AZ.

Assignments:

Detailed BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Thomas Gregory Manning

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1944
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

On 12/31/13, the diocese released its list of 17 clergy, including Manning, who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of young persons while working in the diocese and another five who had been accused while residing in the diocese at some time. Worked in the diocese 1944-57. Removed from ministry 10/16/57; left the diocese in 12/1/57. Died 8/15/79.

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Fr. John Nicholson

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Ordained: 1948
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

Settlement in 1995 with a man claiming abuse as a boy by Nicholson. At least 11 known victims. Nicholson died 12/6/88. Another man filed suit against the diocese in 4/03 alleging abuse beginning in 1965 when he was age 12. Suit settled in 9/06 for $250K. In 6/13 a man named Nicholson as an abuser in a first civil suit filed in St. Louis County under a new MN law suspending civil SOL for people alleging they were sexually abused as children. Included on 12/31/13 Duluth list of priests with credible allegations.

Sources:

Fr. Dennis Puhl

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1974
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

Convicted in 1980 of fourth degree sexual assault of a boy, age 15. Received 21 month sentence (probated) and treatment. On sick leave 11/8/80. A 1983 suit claimed the diocese knew he had received treatment in 1977 for sexual problems before abuse. He admitted in deposition he had homosexual contacts with several youths in 1977 and that he received treatment then. Suit settled in 1984. Resigned from ministry and diocese 7/15/86. Died 12/11/95. Named on 12/31/13 Duluth list of priests with credible allegations.

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Fr. Robert Reitmeier

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1971
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list updated in 12/15. Assigned to Sts. Jean and Clement in Duluth 6/22/71-9/1/75. Also worked in Sisseton SD, St. Paul MN, St. Louis MO and Chicago IL. Left the Order in 1992. Laicized 9/8/07. Name included in 10/22 on the Chicago archdiocese's list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Jeff Anderson & Associates Assignment History

Sources:

Fr. Thomas Stack

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Ordained: 1944
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

On 12/31/13, the diocese released its list of 17 clergy, including Stack, who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of young persons while serving in the diocese and another five who had been accused while residing in the diocese at some time. Last assignment ended 2/13/87. Died 02/24/87. Allegation against him received after his death but no date given for when it was received or when abuse was alleged to have occurred. In 3/16 the sister of a man who died an alcoholic at age 42 in 1986 said her brother told her in the '60s that Stack sexually abused him when he was an altar boy in the 1950s in Hoyt Lakes. She informed Bishop Schnurr in 2002.

Sources:

Fr. Joseph Thibaudeau

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1896
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

On 12/31/13 the diocese released its list of 17 clergy, including Thibaudeau, who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of young persons while serving in the diocese and another five who had been accused while residing in the diocese at some time. He served at St. Jean's in Duluth from 6/1910 to sometime in 1943. Died in 1946 in Manitoba, Canada. Allegation made against him at some point after his death.

Sources:

Fr. Stephen Toporowitz

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Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

On 12/31/13, the diocese released its list of 17 clergy, including Toporowitz, who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of young persons while serving in the diocese and another five who had been accused while residing in the diocese at some time. Served entire career in Duluth diocese. Died 6/16/69 white assigned to St. John's Church in Virginia, MN. Allegation of abuse received at some point after his death. No further information known.

Sources:

Fr. Angelo Zankl

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1926
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

On 12/31/13, the diocese released its list of 17 clergy, including Zankl, who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of young persons while serving in the diocese and another five who had been accused while residing in the diocese at some time. Spent much time at St. John Abbey before and after working in the diocese 1951-87. Left the diocese 5/30/87. Died 07/12/07, age 106. Accusation received shortly before diocese released list.

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Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.