Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

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Terry McKiernan February 26, 2021

21 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Thomas Adamson

Ordained: 1958
Status: Settled

Died: 02/25/2019
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Reportedly 100+ victims. At least 12 lawsuits filed the late 1980s-early 1990s. Permanently removed from ministry in 1984. Trial in one suit with major verdict for plaintiff in 12/1990. Civil suit filed in 4/2006. Adamson abused in Winona prior to his 1975 transfer to the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese. All settlements estimated at over $6M. One 2006 case dismissed in 2010 was reinstated by Court of Appeals in 6/2011; rejected by MN Supreme Court in 7/2012. Was living in Rochester MN. Banned from church property. New suits 5/30/2013 and 8/28/2013 under a new MN law. Laicized in 2009. Deposition in 5/2006 released 6/11/2014. Adamson was to draw a monthly pension with medical and dental coverage for the rest of his life. Judge ruled for plaintiff 9/03/2014. Included in 10/2014 on the St. Paul and Minneapolis archdiocese's list of accused. New suit filed 4/17/2016. Suit filed 5/23/2016 claimed abuse of a fourth-grade boy at the Cathedral 1969-1972. Named in a 10/2018 suit by four men against the Vatican. Died 2/25/2019. Reportedly in 5/2019, another victim joined the suit against the Vatican. Dismissed by a federal judge in 8/2023.

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Fr. Sylvester F. Brown

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 01/6/2010
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Following a recent court order, on 12/16/2013 Bishop Quinn released a list of 13 names of priests who had credible allegations against them of abuse involving minors. Brown's inclusion on this list is the first public notice that he had been accused of abuse. The list updated 6/23/2014 shows that there were at least two allegations against him known by Diocese as early as 1985. He asked a minor male and an adult male to expose genitals under the pretext of checking their development. Similar allegations were made in 1992, 2003 and 2013 of abuse 1963-1971. Added to the Stockton diocese's list in 11/20, where he had faculties 10/1/2008-10/6/2008. Brown died 1/6/2010.

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Fr. Joseph C. Cashman

Ordained: 1960
Status: Settled

Died: 07/4/2018
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Following a recent court order, on 12/16/2013 Bishop Quinn released a list of 13 names of priests who had credible allegations of abuse involving minors against them. Cashman's inclusion on this list is the first public notice that he had been accused of abuse. Further information released by the Diocese 6/23/2014. Accused of making sexual advances toward several minor males prior to 1986, and of actual sexual contact with minor students and some seminarians. Sent to St. Luke's Institute. Cashman's privileges were suspended in 9/1992. Laicization pending as of 6/2014. Living at the time in Dallas, TX. Died in 2018. Accused in a 7/2023 lawsuit against Lourdes High School, Rochester Catholic Schools and the Diocese of Winona of sexually abusing a male Lourdes High School student, ages 14-16, in the early 1970s. Cashman worked at the school 1970-1977. The high school and Rochester Catholic Schools settled; the suit against the diocese was to continue, with a trial date of 7/22/2023.

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Diocese of Winona Assignment Record

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Fr. Louis G. Cook

Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 11/26/2004
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Following a recent court order, on 12/16/2013 Bishop Quinn released a list of 13 names of priests who had credible allegations against them of abuse involving minors. Cook's inclusion on this list is the first public notice that he had been accused of abuse. Further information released by the Diocese 06/23/2014. Complaint received in 10/2097 of the sexual abuse of a minor female. In 6/2014, the Diocese reported that the complainant withdrew the allegation approximately four days later. Cook retired 07/01/1998. Died 11/26/2004. No further allegations found in his file.

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Diocese of Winona Assignment Record

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Fr. William D. Curtis

Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Died: 04/10/2001
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Following a recent court order, on 12/16/2013 Bishop Quinn released a list of 13 names of priests who had credible allegations against them of abuse involving minors. Curtis's inclusion on this list is the first public notice that he had been accused of abuse. The Diocese updated his information 6/23/2014. Complaints of child sexual abuse were made against Curtis in 10/1988 and 6/1990. Sent to St. Luke Institute for treatment 7/1990. Ministerial privileges suspended in 1/1991 while at St. Luke's. Died 4/10/2001.

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Diocese of Winona Assignment Record

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Fr. Thomas E. Duane

Ordained: 1938
Status: Accused

Died: 04/28/1993
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

In a 4/2002 letter to Bishop Harrington a woman complained that Duane sexually abused her as a girl in the late 1940s, while assigned to St. Ignatius in Spring Valley MN. Duane was there 6/3/1947-6/20/1954. He retired in 1979 and died 4/28/1993. Included on the diocese's list of names of credibly accused priests released per court order 4/13/2015.

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Fr. John Richard Feiten

Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 07/9/2001
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Following a recent court order, on 12/16/2013 Bishop Quinn released a list of 13 names of priests who had credible allegations against them of abuse involving minors. Feiten's inclusion on this list is the first public notice that he had been accused of abuse. He retired from active ministry in 6/2000 and died 7/9/2001. After his death, two separate complaints of abuse of minor boys were received against Feiten. Abuse in 1969 was reported in 2002 and a second, undated complaint was made in 4/2006.

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Diocese of Winona Assignment Sheet

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Fr. Joseph C. Haley

Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Named publicly as accused by the Winona-Rochester diocese on its list 9/26/2019. Went on leave of absence in 7/1974; did not return to ministry. Laicized in 3/2016.

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Diocese of Winona-Rochester Assignments

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Diocese of Winona-Rochester List accessed 02.27.24

Fr. Richard H. Hatch

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 10/15/2005
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Following a court order, on 12/16/2013 Bishop Quinn released a list of 13 names of priests with credible allegations against them. This was the first public accusation against Hatch. The Diocese updated its list 6/23/2014. Hatch voluntarily ceased ministry and permanently left the diocese in 1963 after being removed for personal financial mismanagement and ignoring the Bishop's directives on same. Died 10/15/2005. The Diocese updated list 6/23/14, noting that it received complaint in 1996 that Hatch molested two boys and took pornographic pictures of a third. In 5/2013, the Diocese also received a complaint of child sex abuse 1959-1962. Accused in a 12/1205 lawsuit of abuse of a boy, ages 13-14, in 1962.

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Diocese of Winona Assignment Record

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Seminarian Eugene H. Hubert

Order: SSCC
Status: Sued

Died: 08/31/1997
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Accused publicly in 5/2019 of sexually abusing at least five boys when a Fathers of the Sacred Hearts seminarian and St. Mary's College student in Winona, MN 1968-1971. Claims were filed by three brothers against the Winona-Rochester diocese. Left MN, went on to work as a janitor for 30 years in Catholic and public schools in Albany, NY. Worked at summer camps in at least three states, drove school buses, volunteered for youth organizations. Accusations public in 12/2018 of the rape of at least two boys in the late 1970s when janitor at St. Teresa of Avila school in Albany. Died in 1997. Lawsuit filed in 8/2019 with Albany claims.

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Fr. Ferdinand Lloyd Kaiser

Ordained: 1937
Status: Convicted

Died: 01/3/1973
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Following a recent court order, on 12/16/2013 Bishop Quinn released a list of 13 names of priests who had credible allegations against them of abuse involving minors. Kaiser's inclusion on this list is the first public notice that he had been accused of abuse. Voluntarily resigned in 3/1968. Died 1/3/1973. The Diocese updated its list 6/23/1914 with additional information. Criminally charged in 5/1968 with the sexual abuse of a minor boy (sodomy). Pleaded guilty the same month and was sentenced 7/11/1968. In 1/1993, the Diocese received allegations that he abused a boy and a girl after his 1968 resignation. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list 5/19/2021, where he spent time at Via Coeli in Jemez Springs, Las Vegas, Alamogordo, Santa Fe, and Corrales.

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Diocese of Winona Assignment Record

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Fr. Leo Charles Koppala

Ordained: 1994
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Priest of the Nellore Diocese, India. Arrived in the US in 10/2008. Assigned to Ss. Peter and Paul in Blue Earth MN in 8/2009. Accused in 6/2013 of kissing and fondling an 11-year-old girl. Arrested 6/8/2013. Charged with second degree criminal sexual conduct. Released on bail 7/11/2013. Put on administrative leave without privileges. Admitted everything but fondling the girl's breasts. Pleaded guilty in 3/2014 to criminal sexual misconduct. Included on the Diocese's 12/16/2013 list. Sentenced to 25 years probation 3/31/2014 but was to be deported to India instead. Deported and handed over to Indian authorities 5/14/2014. The Diocese's information on Koppala was updated 6/23/2014.

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Diocese of Winona Assignment Record

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Fr. Jack L. Krough

Ordained: 1975
Status: Accused

Died: 10/12/2014
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Following a recent court order, on 12/16/2013 Bishop Quinn released a list of 13 names of priests who had credible allegations against them of abuse involving minors. Krough's inclusion on this list is the first public notice that he had been accused of abuse. The Diocese updated the list 6/23/2014 with additional information. Ministerial privileges indefinitely suspended in 6/2002 and he left active ministry. The Diocese reports he was confronted in 1993 with a naked picture of a 16-year-old boy taken in about 1978. Sent to St. Luke Institute for treatment and reinstated. Removed by the Diocese again in 1997 after an allegation of abuse 1969-1971. Sent again to St. Luke's. Assigned as chaplain for the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi in 1999. Ministerial privileges indefinitely suspended in 6/2002. Left active ministry after another allegation involving an adult male. Last known to be living in Barron WI. Died 10/12/2014. Laicization had been pending.

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Fr. Michael J. Kuisle

Ordained: 1940
Status: Accused

Died: 12/21/1971
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Following a recent court order, on 12/16/2013 Bishop Quinn released a list of 13 names of priests who had credible allegations against them of abuse involving minors. Kuisle's inclusion on this list is the first public notice that he had been accused of abuse. The Diocese updated information on its list 6/23/2014. Voluntarily resigned in 9/1971. Died 12/21/1971. Separate complaints made to the Diocese in 1994 and in 1999 by two female students who said he sexually molested them in the 1960s.

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Diocese of Winona Assignment Record

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Fr. James W. Lennon

Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Died: 08/8/2000
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Following a recent court order, on 12/16/2013 Bishop Quinn released a list of 13 names of priests who had credible allegations against them of abuse involving minors. Lennon's inclusion on this list is the first public notice that he had been accused of abuse. Voluntarily left active ministry in 6/1984. The Diocese updated information on its list 6/23/2014, noting he was laicized. Had relationships with two adult women after leaving ministry. Admitted to the Diocese that he had sexually abused a 17-year-old girl for several years but denied abusing any other person. Died 8/8/2000.

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Diocese of Winona Assignment Record

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Fr. Gerald A. Mahon

Ordained: 1971
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Vicar General and former director of Vocations for Diocese. Accused of improprieties by two seminarians in cases that were never publicized and were settled out of court and sealed in the early 1990s. Both settlements involved under $100K, mostly for counseling. One involved a seminarian who also implicated priests in 2-3 other dioceses. Other involved seminarian's allegations against Mahon, three other bishop and another vicar general. This was resolved by offer of counseling and career training.

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Fr. Harold B. Mountain

Ordained: 1942
Status: Accused

Died: 11/12/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

In a 2011 letter to the Winona diocese, a man said Mountain fondled him when he was a second or third grader after forcing him to pull down his pants. The man said he was sent to Mountain at school for discipline. Time frame not made public. Among numerous others, Mountain's assignments included Christ the King Parish in Medford and Corpus Christi 1/30/1952- 8/5/1968; Sacred Heart in Hayfield 9/1//1947-6/15/1950. Retired in 1989. Died 11/12/2006. Name included on the diocese's list of names of credibly accused priests released per court order 4/13/2015.

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Fr. Joseph Mountain

Ordained: 1952
Status: Sued

Died: 03/14/2019
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Monsignor. Accused in a lawsuit in 4/2016 of child sexual abuse 1988-1995. Per the 1994 Official Catholic Directory, Mountain was assigned at the time to Sacred Heart in Waseca. The Diocese stated in 2016 that he was no longer in ministry. Died 3/14/2019. Per his obituary, Mountain had been living at Madonna Towers senior facility in Rochester, MN since 2008.

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Fr. Leland J. Smith

Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Following a recent court order, on 12/16/2013 Bishop Quinn released a list of 13 names of priests who had credible allegations against them of abuse involving minors. Smith's inclusion on this list is the first public notice that he had been accused of abuse. Diocese updated information on its list 6/23/2014. Ministerial privileges indefinitely suspended in 1994 after the Diocese received several complaints that he molested minor males. Completed treatment and was allowed to minister to elderly adults until a new allegation was received in 2002. All of his privileges were again removed. Laicized 4/11/2014. Named in lawsuit(s) filed in 8/2023.

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Diocese of Winona Assignment Record

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Sr. Georgene Stuppy

Order: OSF
Status: Settled

Died: 05/23/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Accused in a 1992 lawsuit of sexually abusing a girl, ages 13-17, at a parish school 1978-1981. Stuppy did not deny the physical relationship but said she did not see it as sexual. Settled in 1993. Stuppy spent the last 20 years of her career working in various capacities at Assisi Heights in Rochester, MN (the Order's main headquarters). She died 5/23/2009 at age 70.

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Fr. Robert H. Taylor

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 05/10/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester MN

Following a recent court order, on 12/16/2013 Bishop Quinn released a list of 13 names of priests who had credible allegations against them of abuse involving minors. Taylor's inclusion on this list is the first public notice that he had been accused of abuse. The Diocese updated the information on its list 6/23/2014. It received an allegation in 8/1994 that he had sexually abused a minor male in 1983. Taylor was asked to go to treatment but refused. He was then suspended from ministry in 2/1995. Died 5/10/2012.

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Diocese of Winona Assignment Record

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