37 Accused in This Diocese
- St. Louis Post Dispatch 03.08.02
- Miami Herald 03.09.02
- Boston Globe 04.05.02
- Dallas Morning News 06.12.02
- National Catholic Reporter 05.14.04
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch 11.13.04
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch 11.15.04
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch 11.15.04
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch 11.16.04
- News Tribune 03.09.07
- Diocese of Jefferson City List 11.08.18
- BishopAccountability.org accessed 07.30.25
- Collection of Articles prior to 05.07.12
- Catholic News Service 05.08.12
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch 05.09.12
- SNAP Statement 05.09.12
- National Catholic Reporter 05.11.12
- SNAP Statement 05.17.12
- Post and Courier 04.25.14
- Diocese of Jefferson City List 11.08.18
- News Sentinel 12.31.19
- Chattanooga Free Press 01.17.20
- Diocese of Knoxville List 03.06.20
- Columbia Missourian 09.07.90
- Rolla Daily News 08.02.91
- Columbia Missourian 08.04.91
- Columbia Daily Tribune 08.06.91
- Columbia Missourian 09.06.91
- Columbia Daily Tribune 09.06.91
- Columbia Daily Tribune 09.12.91
- Columbia Daily Tribune 09.19.91
- Columbia Missourian 02.09.92
- Columbia Daily Tribune 02.15.92
- Columbia Missourian 02.17.92
- Post-Dispatch 04.08.02
- NY Times 05.12.02
- Post-Dispatch 05.12.02
- The Pitch 10.16.03
- Journal of Religion & Abuse 06.02.04
- SNAP Statement 09.03.15
- Naples Daily News 09.04.15
- Moberly Monitor-Index 09.11.15
- Seattle Weekly 02.23.16
- KSDK 08.20.18
- Diocese of Jefferson City List 11.08.18
- Riverfront Times 02.12.20
- American Press 10.08.24
- Diocese of Jefferson City 03.17.25
- Chicago Sun-Times 03.21.25
Fr. Hugh Behan
From Ireland. Accused in 1993 of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl in 1983. Also accused of sexual misconduct with an 18-year-old woman. Allowed to continue working until 1999 when a different bishop placed him on leave. In 2002 Behan was working for Disney World in Florida as a greeter. Parishioners from MO saw him and informed the Diocese. Disney World fired him immediately but he claimed he quit for health reasons. Included on the Diocese's list 11/8/2018.
Fr. Geoffrey A. Brooke
Associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Church and School in Jefferson City when placed on leave in 3/2019 due to allegations of "boundary violations with minors." The school community was informed by Bishop McKnight via letter on 3/10/2019. The Diocesan Review Board was to review the allegations. Prior to ordination, Brooke worked at Catholic News Service in Washington DC. First assignments in the diocese were in Sedalia, at Sacred Heart and St. Patrick's. Also worked at the the University of Missouri's Newman Center. Reportedly, in 9/2019 police and civil authorities decided not to pursue charges. Voluntarily laicized in 2014.
Fr. David G. Buescher
Spiritual Director and Faculty Member (religion, music, speech, liturgy) at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Hannibal, 1971-1976. Reported to be on "Special Assignment" for three years, 1985-1988. Retired in 2005. Reportedly, there was one allegation of sex abuse against him. Died 2/3/2013. Included on the diocese's list 11/8/2018.
Fr. Kevin Clohessy
Assigned to the Newman Center at Northeast MO State University in 1993 when a student claimed that Clohessy had sexually abused him. The Diocese substantiated the claim, removed Clohessy from active priesthood, and sent him for treatment. He was reassigned to new parish in 1995. Went on voluntary leave in 2000. A 2003 civil suit alleged the sexual abuse of a minor boy by Clohessy and a second priest. Clohessy allegedly abused the boy 1984-1993. As of 11/2018 Clohessy had not been laicized. Included on the diocese's list 11/8/2018.
Br. Jude Collins
Included on the Diocese of Jefferson City's list 11/8/2018. Noted to have died in 2000.
Fr. John C. Condit
Assigned to the St. Louis area and southern MO parishes until 1953. Navy chaplain 1953-1973. Pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul in Boonville until 1977, when named pastor of St. Francis Xavier in Taos. Died in 1994. In 6/2020 the Archdiocese of St. Louis informed the Jefferson City Diocese that it had substantiated allegations that Condit had engaged in sexual misconduct with minors. The alleged abuse reportedly may have occurred while Condit was a military chaplain. Added to the Jefferson City Diocese's list in 12/2020.
Fr. Manus Daly
From Ireland. Removed from active ministry in 3/2002 due to past allegations that he sexually abused a student in the 1970s at St. Thomas Aquinas minor seminary. Returned to Ireland.The former student said that Daly, dean of students, tried to seduce him once during a trip to Belleville. His accuser complained to the Diocese in 1996 about Daly, Fr. John Fischer, and (later Bishop) Anthony J. O'Connell. The Diocese paid a $125K settlement to the man in 1996. Included on the Diocese's list 11/8/2018.
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Fr. John B. DeAngelis
Ordained in 1944 for the Diocese of Kansas City. Moved to the Diocese of Jefferson City in 1956. Died 2/13/1989. First named publicly as accused of child sexual abuse by the Diocese on its list 11/8/2018.
Fr. John F. Degnan
Ordained for the Diocese of Gallup, where he was assigned until his transfer in 1961 to the Diocese of Jefferson City. Accused in 2001 of abusing a MO boy in the 1960s. Additional allegations in 2002 and 2005. At least 17 and up to 50 alleged victims. One accuser received a $60K confidential settlement in 2005. Pastor of St. Joseph Church, Westphalia, 1961-1962 and 1971-1974; Immaculate Conception, Montgomery City, 1982-1987. Also assigned to Pilot Grove, Boonville, Linn, Gravois Mills, Versailles, St. Elizabeth, Dixon, and Chouteau Springs. Lived in supervised residential treatment center in Missouri. Died 12/09/2010. Included on the Gallup dioces's list of credibly accused. On Jefferson City diocese's list 11/8/2018.
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Fr. Louis E. Dorn
Placed on leave in 4/2006 after an allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor, occurring several years prior. Reportedly in 12/2006 the Diocese's review board determined that the allegation was unsubstantiated and Dorn was returned to active ministry.
Fr. Brendan Doyle
Assigned to Helias High School when placed on temporary leave in 11/2011 after a computer technician found "inappropriate images." Doyle's computer was sent for further examination. He remained in residence at Immaculate Conception Parish as of 12/2/2011, but was not allowed to perform his duties as associate pastor. A "whistleblower" sent a letter to SNAP in 12/2011 advising of prior knowledge of Doyle's inappropriate actions in 2008 by the Diocese. The Review Board recommended continued suspension in 3/2012. Doyle's name was included on the Diocese's list of accused 11/8/2018. He died in 8/2024.
Fr. Robert W. Duesdieker
Suspended on 12/28/2016 during an investigation by the Diocese and law enforcement of a report of inappropriate conduct with minors occurring 25 years prior. Incidents were said to have occurred while Duesdieker was assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish in Owensville. He denied the allegations. Added to the Diocese's list of accused 12/16/2018, after the Diocesan Review Board deemed the allegations credible. Laicization announced in 7/2020.
Fr. Thomas J. Duggan
From Ireland. First named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/8/2018. Died in 2009. Named in a lawsuit filed 9/12/2024. The suit was dismissed in 12/2024 "due to a lack of action by the plaintiffs."
Fr. Stephen L. Faletti
In 2002 a youth worker (later fired by the Diocese) reported complaints about Faletti's and another priest's conduct at St. Thomas Aquinas High School Seminary in 1991. Per the Diocese, Faletti was removed from active ministry in the mid-1990s after credible allegations that he had molested children. He died 1/21/2017. Included on the Diocese's list of accused 11/8/2018.
Fr. John H. Fischer
Reportedly in 3/2002, a man alleged in 1996 that he had been molested as a boy by Fischer at a Catholic school. The man said that when he was 11 Fischer pulled him over and kissed him on the lips during confession, and that Fischer continued to molest him for two more years. The Diocese gave the accuser a settlement of $125K for claims against Fischer, Fr. Manus Daly and (future) Bishop Anthony J. O'Connell. Fischer was removed from the priesthood in 1993 after allegations involving other children. His name was included on the Diocese's list 11/8/2018. Fischer died in 2023.
Fr. Francis G. Gillgannon
Monsignor. Died in 6/2004. Accused in a lawsuit filed 9/12/2024 of sexually abusing a boy, along with a "Fr. Dave," in the 1970s. The boy was ages 9-11 at the time of the alleged abuse, and a student at the St. Joseph Cathedral School. The suit was dismissed in 12/2024 "due to a lack of action by the plaintiffs."
Fr. Donald F. Greene
From Ireland. Arrived in the U.S. in 1959 to complete studies for the priesthood. Ordained for the Diocese of Jefferson City in 1963. Died 1/23/1985. First named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list updated 12/16/2018.
Fr. Melvin J. Lahr
Added to the diocese's 12/16/2018 updated list of credibly accused. Removed from ministry. Lahr was absent on sick leave 1988-1989 and 1990-1991. He was assigned 1989-1990 to a parish in Salisbury MO. He appears to have not been in ministry after 1990. Also accused of the sexual abuse of a married woman who had gone to him for counseling. She sued and received a settlement. Laicization announced in 7/2020. Criminally charged in 3/2024 with promoting and possessing child pornography. Admitted to accessing images online for about 30 years, to taking photos of two 14-year-old girls, and to sexual activity with a minor 20 years prior.
Fr. Severin Lamping
Priest of Order of St. Francis, Province of St. John the Baptist. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Jefferson City diocese on its list updated 10/12/2020. Retired in 1973. Died 4/13/1986. (Twin of accused Franciscan Fr. Steven Lamping.) Included on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's list in 2/2022. Noted to have left the order and been secularized. Added in 6/2022 to the Peoria diocese's list. Also on the St. John the Baptist Franciscans list in 6/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.
Fr. John Long
From Ireland, where he attended seminary. Ordained in 1961 for the Diocese of Jefferson City. Parish priest, high school drama teacher. Reportedly in 2002 Long was retired and living in Ireland. First named publicly as accused of child sexual abuse by the Diocese on its list 11/8/2018. Removed from ministry.
Fr. Patrick J. McMyler
From Ireland, where he was ordained for the Diocese of Jefferson City. First named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 11/8/2018. McMyler died in 1985.
Fr. James P. McNally
McNally, a 1980 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School Seminary, was on staff there in 1986 when he befriended a 16-year-old student and became a favorite with the boy's family. McNally reportedly sexually abused the boy for eight years on trips, at the boy's home, and at rectories. The alleged victim told Bishop McAuliffe in 1996 and McNally was sent for therapy. There were possibly two other victims from the high school seminary. The public was not informed of McNally's behavior until the publication of a 2004 news article. McNally left the priesthood, was laicized and married. Included on the Diocese's list of accused 11/8/2018.
Fr. James J. Mohan
From Ireland. Parish priest, U.S. Air Force chaplain. On leave "for reasons of health," per a 1973 news article. Accused of the sexual molestation of at least two teenage boys. Removed suddenly from his last assignment at Visitation Parish in Vienna, MO. An arrest warrant may have been issued for him. Reportedly the Diocese pulled Mohan from the parish in the middle of the night and put him on a plane to England. The Official Catholic Directory shows him as on duty outside the diocese for much of the 1980s. Died 3/17/1990. Included on the Diocese's list of accused 11/8/2018.
Fr. Deusdedit Mulokozi
"Fr. Deo." From Tanzania. Arrived in MO in 2014 from Tanzania. Assigned 2014-2015 to the parishes of Sacred Heart and St. Patrick in Sedalia and St. John the Evangelist in Bahner. First named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Jefferson City on its list 11/8/2018. In 5/2015 a 15-year-old girl reported to police that Mulokozi gave her a "dirty hug" after a counseling session at Sacred Heart. Detectives requested he be charged with third-degree assault; prosecutors chose not to pursue. The Diocesan Review Board found Mulokozi guilty of boundary violations. He was sent to Liberty, then to a Houston treatment center for evaluation. Expelled from the diocese. Returned by his Order to ministry in Tanzania. Per its website in 2/2019, Mulokozi was an active priest in a Numbyani, Kenya parish.
Fr. Silas Musholt
Died in 1999. First named publicly as accused on the Diocese of Jefferson City's list 11/8/2018. Included as of 1/2024 on the Franciscans' Our Lady of Guadalupe Province list. (Member of the Sacred Heart Province.)
Br. Dominic Nixon
Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Jefferson City on its list 11/8/2018. Noted to have been removed from ministry in the diocese.
Bishop Anthony J. O’Connell
19Bishop of Knoxville 1988-98. Bishop of Palm Beach 1998-2002. Resigned in 3/2002 after admitting to inappropriate behavior with minors in MO decades prior. Two claims settled in 2004 for $5K each, paid by O'Connell, and more from the Jefferson City diocese. There were numerous other claims from MO. None known from the Palm Beach diocese. There were new accusers in MO in 5/2012, shortly after O'Connell's death 5/4/2012. Included on the Jefferson City diocese's list of accused 11/8/2018. A lawsuit in 7/2019 claimed the sexual abuse, along with Rev. Xavier Mankel, of a boy in the 1990s. It settled in 12/2019. On the Knoxville diocese's list 3/6/2020.
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Fr. Charles H. Patterson
Monsignor. Rector of the newly established St. Thomas Aquinas Preparatory Seminary in Hannibal, MO from 1957 to the early 1960s. Held many different positions within the Jefferson City Diocese. Retired in 2005 and died 5/6/2010 at age 86. Accused publicly in 5/2012 of sexually abusing minors.
Fr. Gary W. Pool
In 2003 a man filed a lawsuit claiming sexual abuse by Pool beginning when he was age 8 in 1979 and continuing until 1984. Pool was a deacon when the alleged abuse started. Pool went on leave of absence in 1987. (His accuser said that he went to another priest for counseling and that the other priest sexually abused him 1984-1993.) Pool denied the allegations. He was laicized in 1993 and later married. His name was included on the Jefferson City diocese's list of accused 11/8/2018.
Fr. Eric A. Schlachter
First named publicly as accused of child sexual abuse by the Diocese on its list 12/6/2018. Noted to have been removed from ministry. Schlachter was on sick leave in 1985, continuing in active ministry after his return until about 2002.
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Fr. John Joseph Schutty
Schutty was a De La Salle Christian Brother for 31 years prior to his ordination to the priesthood in 1983 at age 51. As a Christian brother Schutty taught in numerous locations, including Kansas City, Minneapolis, Chicago, Santa Fe, New Orleans, St. Louis and St. Joseph MO. He was pastor of St. Cecilia's in Meta, MO when placed on leave 3/29/2006 due to an allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor, occurring over 20 years prior. The Diocese announced in 12/2006 that its review board found the allegations to be credible. Schutty was then removed from ministry. His name was included on the Diocese's list of accused 11/8/2018.
Fr. Robert G. Scobee
Scobee's first assignment was at Immaculate Conception Parish (which later became St. Pius X), in Moberly, MO. He was on leave of absence at a Paraclete facility in Jemez Springs NM 1970-1972, then reassigned to a parish 1973-1974. No assignment in 1975. Retired in 1976. Died 4/30/1979. Included on the Diocese's list of accused 11/8/2018. On the Diocese of Superior's list in 11/2022, where he worked at some point in Lake Tomahawk and Rhinelander. Noted to have a single allegation against him, of child sexual abuse occurring outside of the diocese.
Fr. Thomas J. Seifner
Pastor of parishes in Loose Creek and Bonnots Mill beginning 7/2009. Removed in 12/2009 after allegations that he had engaged in "inappropriate electronic communication" with a minor male five years previously. The Diocesan Review Board found his actions to be true sexual abuse of a minor. Included on the Diocese's list of accused 11/8/2018.
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Fr. Sean J. Smyth
From Ireland. Ordained for the Diocese of Jefferson City. Msgr. Gregory Higley recieved a report in the late 1990s that Smyth sexually abused a 5-year-old girl in about 1959. Smyth died 8/17/1990. His name was included on the Diocese's list 11/8/2018.
Fr. Timothy Tatro
First named publicly as accused of child sexual abuse by the Diocese on its list 11/8/2018. Removed from ministry.
Fr. Donald L. Wallace
The parents of four boys accused Wallace in 1997 of "boundary violations" or inappropriate behavior. Wallace underwent treatment and was assigned to hospital ministry in 1998, under supervision. He was reassigned to parish work in 2000. He retired in 2002 rather than undergo "further evaluation." Included on the Diocese's list of accused 11/8/2018. Noted to have been removed from ministry.
Fr. John J. Whiteley
Accused in a 1991 lawsuit of sexually abusing David Clohessy 1969-1973, beginning when the boy was age 11. The abuse included touching the boy's genitals and lying on top of him during trips, some of them out-of-state. Whiteley allegedly abused others including Clohessy's brother Kevin, later a priest and himself accused of abuse. Whiteley was a college chaplain from 1983; Army reserve chaplain by 1990; chancery job in 1991; resigned and disappeared in 1992. Case dismissed in 1992 after a MO Supreme Court decision on a new statute of limitations law. Whiteley later reportedly became a flight attendant. He was last known to be living in Naples FL, and possibly moved to the Miami area. The Diocese gave David Clohessy a $40,000 settlement 8/19/2015. Clohessy asked the Diocese to post names of proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesting clerics on parish websites and to warn FL Catholics about Whiteley; the Diocese did not meet that request. As of 11/2018 Whiteley had not been laicized. Included on the Diocese's list 11/8/2018. Laicization announced by the Diocese 3/17/2025.