Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO - BishopAccountability.org

41 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. James J. Ahern

Ordained: 1930
Status: Accused

Died: 09/14/1970
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Named publicly as accused by the KC-St. Joseph diocese on its list 9/5/2019. It notes a single, substantiated allegation. Ahern died 9/14/1970.

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Fr. John C. Baskett

Ordained: 1945
Status: Settled

Died: 06/23/1995
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Accused in 2007 of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in 1952 after using alcohol to incapacitate her. Lawsuit filed in 3/2008. The abuse included intercourse and continued through 1954. Baskett was then transferred to a parish later located in the Jefferson City, MO diocese. He became an Air Force chaplain in 1955, first as a priest of the Kansas City MO diocese, later as a Springfield-Cape Girardeau priest. Per the Catholic Directories, he had a Kitty Hawk, NC address in the Raleigh diocese 1978-1979. He died 6/23/1995 in Las Vegas. The civil suit settled in an 8/2008 $10M settlement involving 12 priests. Included on the Springfield-Cape Giradeau diocese's list updated 4/1/2019. It notes that Baskett left the priesthood in 1975. On the KC-St. Joseph diocese's list 9/5/2019.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Michael E. Brewer

Ordained: 1986
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Accused in a 1993 lawsuit of allegedly fondling a 17-year-old boy in 1990, during an overnight at the rectory. When informed, the Diocese's answer was "this happens to young men all the time" and that the victim "would get over it." Trial court dismissed 6 of 9 counts against the defendants. The appeals court allowed claims of negligent supervision. In 1997 the MO Supreme Court ruled that judges and juries should not question how the church supervises its clergy. Brewer's name was included on the Diocese's 9/5/2019 list of accused clergy, with multiple substantiated allegations. He denied the allegations. Permanently removed from ministry. Moved to CO in 1995. Became an attorney, involved with a foundation in Boulder with a mission to serve disadvantaged youth and their families.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Robert M. Cameron

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 06/26/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 9/5/2019. It notes a single, substantiated allegation. Cameron died in 2015.

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Fr. Philip J. Coury

Order: CM
Ordained: 1971
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Worked in TX, MO, IL, CO. The Diocese of KC-St. Joseph announced on 4/6/2017 that it had received a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by Coury while he was on staff at St. John Minor Seminary 1975-1978. The Order restricted Coury's public ministry prior to notifying the Diocese. Included on Diocese's list 9/5/2019. Permanently removed from ministry. On the Vincentians list in 2020, which notes abuse in the 1980s reported in 2010, and that he was removed from ministry and living under supervision. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Vincentians Western Province List 12.07.20

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Fr. Thomas Cronin

Ordained: 1969
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

A woman filed suit in 10/2010 in MO alleging she was sexually abused by both Cronin and Fr. John Tulipana at separate times. She told the Diocese in 2009 that in 1979, at age 17, she confessed to Cornin that she was being sexually abused by a relative. She said Cronin molested her on multiple occasions. He left KC in 1996 to work as a hospital chaplain in Reno NV. "Retired" in 2004. Worked as Administrator of St. Mary in the Mountains in NV in 2010, per their bulletin. Removed 10/22/10. Involved with Rachel's Sanctuary (for homeless women) in NV. Included on the KC-St. Joseph diocese's list 9/5/2019, deemed "unsuitable for ministry out of concern for the safety of our youth."

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Robert Noel Deming

Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 06/11/2019
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 9/5/2019. A single substantiated allegation noted. Deming died in 2019.

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Fr. James H. Ford

Ordained: 1973
Status: Settled

Died: 08/19/1992
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

A civil suit filed in 2/2012 alleges that Ford sexually abused a boy in the 1970s. He worked as associate pastor in three parishes in the Kansas City area 1973 - 1983, completed an advanced degree and then worked for a religious training center for adults. He resigned from ministry in 1986 and died in 1992 at age 45, possibly of AIDS. One accuser went to the Diocese in 1995; they accepted counseling and a settlement. Ford's name was included on the Diocese's 9/5/2019 list, with multiple substantiated allegations.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Burton J. Fraser

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1935
Status: Accused

Died: 05/6/1971
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Ordained for the Missouri Province, member of the Wisconsin Province when it was formed in 1955. Educated in MO and KS. Assigned in WI, SD, CO, NE. Studied Spanish 1950-1951 in Coyoacan, Mexico in the Archdiocese of Mexico City. Died 5/6/1971. Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Central Province on its list 12/7/2019. Allegation of abuse in the 1950s reported after his death; unclear as to where the alleged abuse occurred. On the Midwest Province list 12/17/2019. It notes a single allegation reported after his death of abuse while a military chaplain 1953-1957.

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Fr. Martin Henry Froeschl

Ordained: 1949
Status: Settled

Died: 11/5/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Monsignor. Died 11/5/2006. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 12/2013 by a man, age 50, of sexually abusing him as a boy, ages 9-11, while assigned to Guardian Angels in Kansas City. Allegedly, Froeschl gave his accuser and other boys wine, and the abuse included sodomy. Per the Diocese, the Attorney General "determined no substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor." The lawsuit settled in 2014 for $277K.

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Br. Richard Geimer

Order: FSC
Status: Accused

Died: 01/29/2025
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Made perpetual vows in 1960. Taught and administered at De La Salle high schools in IL TX, MO, OH, TN, MO. Terminated from his position at Archbishop O'Hara High School in Kansas City MO in 11/2013 after a student found a "suspicious" photo involving a youth on Geimer's school computer and notified the school administrators in 10/2013. Geimer had been at the school for 28 years. The principal said the photo was disturbing enough to warrant immediate termination, even before the FBI completed its investigation. Geimer died in 1/2025.

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Christian Brothers of the Midwest Obituary 01.30.25

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Fr. John Giacopelli

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 9/5/2019. It notes a single substantiated allegation. Giacopelli died in 2018.

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Bishop Joseph Hubert Hart

Ordained: 1956
Status: Settled

Died: 08/23/2023
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

KC-St. Joseph priest, Cheyenne bishop 1976-2001. Resigned. Two allegations to KC-St. Joseph in 1989 and 1992 of abuse of boys in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Psych eval, returned to ministry in WY. Accused in 2002 of abusing a boy in 1976 in WY. D.A. cleared, accuser discredited. Accused in 2004 suit by three men of abuse as boys. More suits in 2005. Settled in 8/2008. New suit in 11/2011. Settlements in 2014. By 7/2018 named by 10 in lawsuits. Investigation in 2018 after a man alleged abuse as child in WY. Investigator said credible, that the 2002 investigation was flawed and those claims were credible. Report to Vatican in 5/2018. Restrictions on Hart continued; he denied accusations. Investigation reopened in 8/2018. Diocese announced three new credible allegations in 9/2019. WY prosecutors again did not pursue. Per Cheyenne list in 11/2019, there were six male accusers of abuse as teens 1977-1983. "Cleared" in 1/2021 by the Vatican on seven accusations; said five others could not be proven; two of the boys were ages 16 and 17 when abused, so unable to prosecute as not minors, per Church. The diocese reportedly said Hart was accused of the abuse of 11 males and one female. In 10/2022 Hart, age 91, was to return to KC to live in a senior facility. Reportedly in 6/2023, Hart did not relocate to KC after all. Died 8/23/2023.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Alan Hartway

Order: CPPS
Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Died: 07/1/2022
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

The KC-St. Joseph diocese announced on 7/31/2020 that it had received a credible allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor against Hartway. The Order announced the allegation the previous day. The abuse occurred when Hartway was assigned to St. James in Liberty, MO. Hartway was pastor of a Mead, CO parish when removed 11/27/2019, due to the allegation. Included on the Diocese's list of those with substantiated allegations. Permanently removed from ministry. Died in 7/2022.

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Fr. Mark A. Honhart

Ordained: 1980
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Honhart worked in MO 1980-2002 before transferring to PA in 2003. Accused in a 3/2011 civil suit of molesting an 8- to 9-year-old boy at Holy Cross in KC 1985-1986. Settled in 2015. Fr. Hugh Monahan was accused of abusing the same boy when he was 13. The KC -St. Joseph Diocese said there were no complaints made to Honhart's superiors in MO during his ministry. Placed on leave by Scranton diocese 2/2/2011 "for health reasons" after it learned of allegations. Also worked in NM. New suits were filed in 8/2011 and 1120/11. Named in the 8/14/2018 PA Grand Jury Report, in which name misspelled "Honart." Included on the Scranton diocese's list 8/19/2018. On the KC-St. Joseph diocese's list 9/5/2019, with multiple substantiated allegations. Permanently removed from ministry.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Sylvester J. Hoppe

Ordained: 1946
Status: Settled

Died: 11/10/2002
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

A man filed suit in California in 6/2002 alleging sexual abuse by Hoppe for three years, beginning when the man was age 12 in 1951. Per the suit, the abuse took place in MO and at Boy Scout Jamboree in California. Hoppe, age 90, was banned from celebrating mass. His accuser said he told police in 1985; no record of his complaint found. Hoppe died in 11/2002. The suit settled in 9/2003 for $10K. Two more men filed suit in 2005 alleging abuse by Hoppe in the 1950s. Claims settled in 8/2008 as part of a $10M settlement involving 12 priests. In 12/2017 the Diocese confirmed that there was a seventh claim of child sexual abuse against Hoppe, dating to 1953-1956. His name was included on the Diocese's list 9/5/19 of clergy with substantiated allegations.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Joseph Jakubowski

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1940
Status: Accused

Died: 02/16/2005
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

"J.J." Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 9/5/2019. Noted to have multiple substantiated allegations against him. Retired in 1969. Died in 2005.

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Br. Earl Johnson

Donate Photo

Order: OFM Cap
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Accused in a 6/2008 civil suit of abusing a boy at St. Elizabeth's in Kansas City for three years during the 1970s. Per the suit, on one occasion a priest closed a door to the room where the abuse was going on. Johnson left the order at some point and in 2008 was possibly working in Kansas City as a public elementary school teacher. Claim settled in 8/2008 as part of $10M settlement involving 12 priests. Included on the diocese's 9/5/2019 list.

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Fr. James L. Lawbaugh

Order: CM
Ordained: 1966
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Accused in a civil suit filed in 2/2008 of sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy at St. Vincent's in Kansas City in 1968. Left the priesthood in 1969 to marry. Living in FL at the time of the lawsuit. Denied the allegations. The claim settled in 8/2008 as part of a $10M settlement involving 12 priests. Name included on the Kansas CIty-St. Joseph diocese's list 9/5/2019.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Francis E. McGlynn

Ordained: 1954
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Retired in 1992. Privileges removed 2002. Accused in a 2003 lawsuit of sexually abusing a St. Mary's Parish altar boy in 1971 and 1974. Trial was set for 10/2007 but the case settled 9/27/2007 for $225K. Two women also filed separate suits in 2003 and 2004. The 2003 suit was dismissed in 12/2004 due to the statute of limitations. At least one claim settled in an 8/2008 $10M settlement involving 12 priests. A new suit filed by a woman 10/2011 claimed abuse in 1963-1964. McGlynn died in 5/2012. Included on the Diocese's 9/5/2019 list of accused clergy, with multiple substantiated allegations.

Fr. Hugh F. Monahan

Ordained: 1968
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Six men filed five suits in the early 2000s alleging sexual abuse as boys by Monahan in the 1970s to the mid-1980s. One of the plaintiffs was Monahan's nephew, who claimed the abuse began when he was age 11, went on for five years, and included rape. Another said he lived with Monahan for a time and the diocese knew it. Monahan took leave from the priesthood in 1973, then returned. He left again in 1989 and may have moved to Puerto Rico. Claims were settled in 8/2008 as part of a $10M settlement involving 12 priests. Monahan and another priest were named in a new suit filed by a man in 3/2011. He was also named in an 8/2011 suit. Included on the Diocese's 9/5/2019 list, with multiple substantiated allegations. Laicized. He was said in 11/2021 to have married in 2000 and to be living in FL.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Stephen J. Muth

Ordained: 1982
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Ordained in Toronto, Canada. Removed from KC position in 2004 after an allegation surfaced that he abused a 12-year-old boy in 1992 and again later when the accuser was an adult. Member of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma Ohio, administrator of a parish in the KC-St. Joseph diocese. Civil suit filed in 4/2006. Investigated and cleared by the diocese. Civil suit against Muth and Parma dismissed in 4/2009. Per news in 6/2019, Muth was in active ministry in MO, TX and then in Whiting, IN, retiring in 1/2018. Placed on administrative leave by the Eparchy in 10/2018. Included on the Wichita diocese's list 9/20/2019. On KC-St. Joseph diocese's list 9/5/2019.

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Fr. Thomas J. O’Brien

Ordained: 1950
Status: Settled

Died: 10/21/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Monsignor. Multiple allegations of the abuse of minors. Chaplain at a Kansas City MO Hospital until he retired in 4/2002. Often worked in schools. Several plaintiffs filed suit in 1/2004 against O'Brien and two other priests. More suits filed 2004-2005. Settlement of one announced in 4/2007. Some claims settled in 8/2008 as part of a $10M settlement involving 12 priests. Named in new suits in 2/2011, 9/2011 and 11/2011. One was a wrongful death suit in the case of the 1983 suicide of a 14-year-old alleged victim. Named in over two dozen lawsuits. Wrongful death suit settled for $2.25M in 7/2013 during jury selection. Died in 10/2013. Settlement in 2014 for $10M with 31 plaintiffs involving 13 priests, including O'Brien. On the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese's list updated 4/1/2019, which notes allegations of abuse 1950-1954, reported in 2013. On the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph list 9/5/2019.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Thomas Parrott

Order: CM
Ordained: 1950
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Ordained for the Vincentians. Incardinated in 1974 into the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Allegation in 2010 that Parrott molested a boy over two years, beginning when the boy was age 14 in 1966 and a student at St. John's Minor Seminary in Kansas City. Parrott was his spiritual advisor and confessor. Parrott's accuser settled with the Vincentians. Parrott retired from Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese in 1987 and moved to Florida. He died in 1/1996. Included on the Springfield-Cape Girardeau list 4/1/2019. Also on the Vincentians list in 2020, which notes multiple allegations of abuse occurring in the late-1950s to mid-1960s, reported in 2002. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Bede Parry

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1983
Status: Sued

Died: 11/27/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Accused in a 6/2011 lawsuit of sexually abusing a boy in 1987 at a summer choir camp. Parry was at the time a Benedictine priest and boys' choir director at Conception Abbey in northwest MO; he had been affiliated with the abbey since 1973. In 1981 he admitted to the abbott he had been involved in three "inappropriate relationships" 1973-1979. He was dismissed in 2002 and on 10/15/2004 became an Episcopal priest in Las Vegas. After the lawsuit was filed in 2011 he resigned. Parry admitted to the abuse of several. A second suit was filed in 7/2011. Parry died 11/27/2013. His name was included on the Las Vegas diocese's list 4/12/2019. (No known allegations there.) On the Conception Abbey Benedictines' list 8/5/2019. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list 5/19/2021, which notes assignments there in 1978, 1990 and 1992.

Fr. Regis Probstfield

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Died: 11/4/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Named publicly by the Conception Abbey Benedictines on their 8/5/2019 list. Allegedly abused in Missouri in 1976. Probstfield reportedly worked off and on at Conception Abbey before 1981, then became a pastor in Parnel. He also worked on Indian reservations in North Dakota and South Dakota, returning to the Abbey in 1996. He died 11/4/2008. His given name was Vernon Charles Probstfield. Brother of accused priest Edgar Probstfield, O.S.B.

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Fr. Shawn Francis Ratigan

Ordained: 2004
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

In 5/2010 a school principal complained of Ratigan's behavior. He was not removed from St. Patrick until 12/2010, after child pornography was found on his laptop computer. He attempted suicide. Assigned to say mass for nuns. A police report was filed in 5/2011. Ratigan was arrested 5/19/2011. Multiple lawsuits. Some civil suits settled, including one for $1.3M. Two more settled in 2/2014 for $1.8M. In 2013 Ratigan pleaded guilty to federal pornography charges. On 9/11/2013 he was sentenced to 50 years in prison; in 10/2013 he was sentenced on state charges to three 7-year sentences. He was laicized in 1/2014. A Federal Appeals Court upheld the 50-year sentence 07/24/2014. Included on the Diocese's list 9/5/2019.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Thomas M. Reardon

Ordained: 1967
Status: Settled

Died: 01/16/2022
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Accused, along with two other priests, in lawsuits filed in 2004 by six people of sexual abuse at a lake home or at church. The priests allegedly would give the kids drugs and alcohol. Reardon left active ministry in 1989 and resigned from the priesthood. He went on to work as a substance abuse counselor. A suit against Reardon and one other priest settled in 4/2007. Other claims settled in 8/2008 as part of a $10M settlement involving twelve priests. Named in 2/2011, 4/2011 and 11/2011 suits claiming the sexual abuse of boys. There are at least 24 accusers. Another lawsuit was filed in 7/2018. Included on the Diocese's list 9/5/2019, which notes multiple substantiated allegations. Laicized. A credible allegation was announced in 10/2020 of the abuse of a child in 1972 at Camp Little Flower; Reardon was camp director. Settlement in 2021. Reardon died 1/16/2022 at a senior living facility in south Kansas City.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Michael D. Rice

Ordained: 1964
Status: Accused

Died: 02/28/2024
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Included on the Diocese's list 9/5/2019 under the category, "Clergy who have served in Diocese of KCSJ found by the Diocesan Bishop to be unsuitable for ministry out of concern for the safety of our youth." Retired in the early 2000s. Reportedly in 2002, Rice allowed accused priest Thomas Ward to assist at St. Margaret's in Lee Summit, where Rice was pastor. Rice died 2/28/2024.

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Fr. Alexander B. Sinclair

Ordained: 1957
Status: Settled

Died: 09/23/2020
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

"Sandy." Accused in a lawsuit that settled in 2021 for $60K of physically and sexually abusing a minor at St. John's High School Seminary. Sinclair died 9/23/2020 at age 87.

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Bishop Joseph Vincent Sullivan

Ordained: 1945
Status: Settled

Died: 09/4/1982
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Ordained for Diocese of Kansas City, MO. Auxiliary Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese 1967-1974. Bishop of Baton Rouge Diocese 1974-1982. Died 9/4/1982. Accused in a 4/2004 lawsuit of sexualy abusing a 17-year-old boy in 1975. The Baton Rouge diocese's review board deemed the claim "serious and deserving of careful attention." The suit settled in 10/2004; sealed. Named in a 2005 suit in HI dating to time in KC; settled in 2007. A new was suit filed in 2007 in TX; settled in 10/2009 for $225K. Included on the Baton Rouge diocese's list in early 2019, which notes multiple allegations reported in 2004, 2005, 2007, of abuse 1974-1982. On the Corpus Christi diocese's list 1/31/2019. On the KC-St. Joseph diocese's list 9/5/2019.

Fr. Hugh Tasch

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Died: 06/28/2017
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Conception Abbey Benedictines on their list 8/5/2019. Abuse is alleged to have occurred in Missouri. Tasch died 6/28/2017. His given name was Robert Leo Tasch.

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Fr. Michael Tierney

Ordained: 1969
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Accused in a 9/30/2010 lawsuit of fondling a 13-year-old boy in 1971 when the boy was helping move items at Tierney's mother's house. The Diocese learned of allegations in 2008. Tierney was named in two other lawsuits. Retired with privileges. Removed from ministry in 6/2011 due to credible reports of sexual misconduct with minors in the 1970s-1980s. Tierney denied the misconduct. Named in a second suit 6/30/2011 claiming abuse in the 1970s. More suits in 7/2011 and 10/2011. Parts of the original suit were dismissed in 7/2011 and 5/2012. Dismissal upheld by an appeals court in 11/2013. Included in a 2014 massive settlement. Included on the Diocese's 9/5/2019 list, which notes multiple substantiated allegations. Permanently removed from ministry. Died 12/15/2020. Had been laicized 12/11/2020.

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Fr. Isaac True

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1966
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

A man filed suit in 9/2011 alleging sexual abuse by True (a relative) and by Msgr. Thomas O'Brien when the accuser was a 9-year-old altar boy at Nativity Church in Independence in the late 1970s. True would also allegedly abuse him during visits to his home, and on trips. True was President-Rector of Conception Seminary 1973-1988. He also worked at Blessed Sacrament Parish, in Bethany, MO. Lawsuit against the Order settled in 11/2013 for $125K. True was removed from ministry. Included on the Conception Abbey Benedictines list of credibly accused 8/5/2019.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. John Tulipana

Ordained: 1972
Status: Settled

Died: 11/5/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Resigned in 1/1994 after reports that the Diocese paid $150K to a youth in 1989 who had accused Tulipana of sexually abusing him. A second allegation also was settled with a payment. In 1/1994 Tulipana was counseling a victim of earlier abuse by (future) Bishop A. O'Connell when knowledge of this became public. This victim immediately went to the Diocese and disclosed abuse by O'Connell. Bishop Boland reportedly told the victim "...this is the kind of thing we like to keep and need to keep a secret... ." Tulipana was named in a 12/2006 civil lawsuit regarding abuse in TX in 1978. The claims settled in 8/2008. A new suit by a woman was filed in 10/2010. Four brothers filed another suit in 2/2012. Tulipana died 11/5/2012. Included on the Diocese's list 9/5/2019 with multiple substantiated allegations noted. A suit filed in 7/2020 claims abuse in 1977 of a boy, age 13, at Coronation of Our Lady in Grandview. The boy had gone to Tulipana for counseling after his father died of cancer.

Fr. James Urbanic

Order: CPPS
Ordained: 1971
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Removed in 7/2011 after recent allegations of sexual improprieties with two minors in the 1970s, while assigned to St. Francis Xavier Church in St. Joseph. The Diocese's review board deemed allegations credible. Urbanic admitted to the Order that early in his priesthood he acted inappropriately. He had previously served as provincial for the Society. Accused in a civil suit filed 2/8/2012. The plaintiff said the abuse occurred in the mid-1970s at Bishop LeBlond High School. The suit settled in 12/2013 for $130K. Urbanic's name was included on the Diocese's list 9/5/2019, which notes multiple substantiated allegations. Permanently removed from ministry.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Peter Clement Vatter

Ordained: 1916
Status: Accused

Died: 11/29/1950
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

From Bavaria. Arrived in the U.S. in 1907, at age 18. Ordained for the Diocese of St. Joseph in 1916. Died 11/29/1950. In 4/2020 the Diocese announced that it had substantiated an allegation that Vatter sexually abused a child in the late 1940s, while pastor of Immaculate Conception in Moberly. The parish was renamed St. Pius X and became part of the Jefferson City diocese when it was formed in 1956.

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Fr. Thomas J. Ward

Ordained: 1962
Status: Settled

Died: 11/4/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

A 1994 civil suit alleged that Ward sexually abused a boy for 10 years, beginning when the boy was 14. Ward was suspended in 1993 or early 1994 for nine months, then reinstated. When he was reassigned in 1994, the bishop wrote to parishioners that Ward's evaluation "gave no reason to believe that the allegations might be true." The lawsuit settled in 1999 in for $20K. Ward retired in 1996; continued to be active part-time. Claims naming Ward were settled in 8/2008 as part of a $10M settlement involving 12 priests. He died 11/4/2012. His name was included on the Diocese's list 9/5/2019, with multiple substantiated allegations noted.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Thomas J. Waterman

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 04/16/1998
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Parish priest, director of scouting for the Diocese, high school teacher. Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 9/5/2019. It notes one substantiated allegation. Waterman died in 1998.

Sources:

Diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph List 09.05.19

Fr. Jerry Joseph Wegenek

Ordained: 1964
Status: Sued

Died: 02/24/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

In 2012 the Diocese acknowledged that it had removed Wegenek from ministry in 6/1994 after an allegation that he had been involved in sexual misconduct with a teenage boy in the 1970s. A man told the Diocese in 2001 that he had been abused by Wegenek. On 9/13/2012 a man filed a civil suit alleging Wegenek gave him alcohol and repeatedly raped him beginning at age 10 and lasting several years, when Wegenek was assigned to St. Gabriel and St. Patrick parishes in Kansas City, MO in the late 1960s. Wegenek died in 2011. His name was included on the Diocese's list 9/5/2019, which notes multiple substantiated allegations.

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Fr. Stephen Wise

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1979
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 6/2008 of molesting a boy at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception over a four-year period in the late 1970s. Wise left the priesthood in 1986 and later married. At least one claim was included in an 8/2008 $10M settlement involving 12 priests. New civil suit was filed in 10/2011 by a man claiming Wise sexually abused him for two years when he was ages 10-12, and that a bishop knew of allegations against Wise before the abuse. Laicized. Included on the Diocese's list 9/5/2019, with multiple substantiated allegations noted.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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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.