Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

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Terry McKiernan February 26, 2021

27 Accused in this Diocese

Fr. Amel A. Shibley

Ordained: 1962
Status: Accused

Died: 9/13/2002
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Accused in 1993 and 1995 of sexually abusing two boys in the 1980s. There was reportedly an investigation in the 1980s. Allowed in 1997 to return to ministry part-time as administrator at another parish, with restrictions. Placed on leave again in 3/2002, faculties permanently removed. Died 9/13/2002. Included on the diocese's 11/19/2018 list of credibly accused.

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Fr. Bernard Vedder

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Died: 5/30/2024
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

"Bernie." Named publicly as accused by the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese on its list updated 4/1/2019, which notes alleged abuse occurring in the 1960s, reported in 1995. (The list erroneously notes that Vedder died in 1993.) Its 2021 list shows that he was laicized in 1995. He died 5/30/2024. Per his obituary, Vedder married in 1984. In retirement Vedder drove a school bus in MN then in WI, and "...made a great effort to know the names of the children on his bus... ."

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Fr. Edgar Probstfield

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 2/11/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Given name was Victor David Probstfield. Reportedly was assigned early in his priesthood to Elkhorn NE, to many parishes in MO, and to the Indian Mission at Fort Yates ND. He was the Conception Abbey business manager 1970-1976. Probstfield died 2/11/2007. He was named publicly as accused by the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese on its list updated 4/1/2019. The list notes that abuse by Probstfield allegedly occurring in the 1970s was reported in 2014. His name was included on the Conception Abbey Benedictines' 8/5/2019 list of credibly accused. (Brother of accused priest Regis Probstfield, O.S.B.)

Assignments:

Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau List updated 04.13.21

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Fr. Ernest Marquart

Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list updated 3/15/2019. The list notes a review of Marquart's file yielded an allegation in 2003 that Marquart took inappropriate photos of youths swimming in the 1980s. His ministry was restricted.

Assignments:

Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau 03.18.19

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Fr. Eugene Deragowski

Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 8/23/1981
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Ordained for the Diocese of Kansas City, MO, prior to the creation of the Springfield Cape-Girardeau diocese in 1956. The Diocese announced in 12/2006 that in 10/2006 it had received a complaint that Deragowski sexually abused a minor in the 1960s. Deragowski died in 1981. A second allegation of abuse in the 1960s was made in 1/2007. Deragowski's name was included 11/19/2018 Diocese's list of credibly accused. Included on the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese's list 9/5/2019.

Assignments:

Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau List 11.19.18

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Fr. Frederick J. Lutz

Ordained: 1973
Status: Charged

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

First named publicly by the Diocese in 10/2018 as accused. Lutz allegedly sexually abused a minor in the early 1970s. In 2006 a man told the Diocese that Lutz abused him at age 17 in 1972 at St. Mary's in Cape Girardeau. Lutz was on leave 1981-1987 and in 2009. He retired in 2011. After an investigation by the Missouri Attorney General, Lutz was arrested and charged 2/18/2020 with multiple counts of child sex abuse, including forcible sodomy, of a 17-year-old boy in 2000, in the rectory of St. Joseph's in Advance. A Catholic school teacher was reportedly told about the abuse a few days after it allegedly occurred, and Lutz apologized to the boy's father. The Diocese admitted in 2/2020 that it knew in 2002 of the allegations. Lutz pleaded not guilty.

Assignments:

Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau 10.08.18

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Fr. Gary M. Carr

Ordained: 1982
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

In 4/2020 the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau announced that its review board had determined that there was a "semblance of truth" to a recent allegation that Carr engaged in inappropriate contact with a boy, ages 10-13, thirty years prior. Carr had been placed on leave with restricted ministry in 2008 due to "boundary violations." Reportedly, parents reported to church authorities for years behavior including Carr's parading around in a makeshift diaper at a grade school Mardi Gras party and wrestling shirtless with 5th grade boys. He retired in 11/2019, a month after an allegation was reported. By 7/2020 there were new credible allegations by three men that Carr sexually abused them as children in the 1980s and 1990s. In 7/2020 Carr was living in St. Louis. Included on the Diocese of Little Rock's list in 12/2020, where he filled-in 10/2020-10/2030 at St. John the Baptist Latin Mass Community. Included on the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese's 4/13/2021 list of accused. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list 6/19/2021, where he was assigned 1/2006-11/2006 and assisting while on health leave 8/10/2006-7/11/2008. Added to the Phoenix diocese's list in 2/2026; worked in the diocese 6/2025-8/2025.

Assignments:

KY3 TV 04.27.20

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Fr. John A. Brath

Ordained: 1968
Status: Accused

Died: 6/25/2014
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

First named publicly as accused by the Diocese in 10/2018. Parish priest. Air Force chaplain 1971-1974. Retired in 2007. Died 6/25/2014. Allegedly sexually abused a minor in the 1970s.

Assignments:

Buffalo Reflex 10.10.18

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Fr. John E. Wells

Ordained: 1950
Status: Accused

Died: 12/28/1972
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Ordained for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Incardinated 1964 into the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Died 12/28/1972. The Diocese announced in 2/19/2018 that it had received an allegation that Wells sexually abused a minor in the late 1960s. He was assigned during that time as pastor of St. Joseph's in Advance and St. Anthony Mission in Glennon.

Assignments:

Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau 02.19.18

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Fr. John H. Westhues

Ordained: 1948
Status: Sued

Died: 1/18/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Monsignor. Died 1/18/2008. Accused in a federal lawsuit filed in 9/2024 of sexually abusing an altar boy on multiple occasions while assigned to St. Mary's in Joplin. Westhues was assigned to the parish 8/1/1977-8/16/1990.

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Fr. John J. Rynish

Ordained: 1943
Status: Accused

Died: 9/23/2001
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Ordained for the Diocese of Kansas City MO. Incardinated into the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese when it was formed in 1956. Monsignor. Retired in 1993. Died 9/23/2001. First named publicly as accused by the Diocese in 10/2018; included on its list of credibly accused. Rynish allegedly sexually abused a minor in the early 1970s. Included on the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese's list 9/7/2019.

Assignments:

Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau 10.08.18

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Fr. John M. Harth

Ordained: 1987
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Parish priest, police chaplain. Worked in radio broadcasting prior to entering seminary at age 31. Accused in a federal lawsuit filed in 9/2024 of sexually abusing a girl for three years, beginning when the girl was age 9 or 10 in the late 1980s. Per the suit, the girl told her mother in 2019, who told the Diocese; the Diocese did not respond.

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Fr. Lawrence E. Gregovich

Ordained: 1972
Status: Accused

Died: 2/2/2017
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Gregovich was forced to retire in 1992 over allegations that he sexually abused at least three boys 1982-1985, while pastor of Immaculate Conception in New Madrid. The parents of one boy came forward in 1992. Gregovich died 2/2/2017. A new complaint of abuse occurring in the late 1970s-early 1980s was announced by the Diocese in 5/2017. Included on the Diocese's list 11/19/2017.

Assignments:

Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau 05.01.17

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Fr. Leonard R. Chambers

Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Bernard Law, then Bishop of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese, responded to a 1981 allegation against Chambers by sending him for extended treatment and then reassigning him to two other parishes. Chambers was placed on restrictions in the mid-1990s by Bishop Leibrecht. Permanently removed from ministry in 1998 after violating the order forbidding him to be alone with any child. He had worked in a total of 22 parishes. Not indexed in the Official Catholic Directory after 2002, and is last known to have been living in Joplin. Per the Diocese's list in 11/2018, Chambers was laicized in 2006. Its updated list in 4/2021 shows his laicization to have been on 12/9/2005. Named in a federal lawsuit in 9/2024.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Louis J. Wyrsch

Ordained: 1964
Status: Accused

Died: 1/7/1997
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

The Diocese announced in 12/2007 that it had recently received a credible allegation against Wyrsch involving the sexual abuse of a minor about 40 years prior. Wyrsch worked in Poplar Bluff and Joplin before taking leaving in 1969. He returned as a chaplain at SW Missouri State College in 1970. In 1973 he again left active ministry, was laicized in 1989, and died in 1997. His name was included on the Diocese's list 11/19/2018.

Assignments:

KY3.com 12.28.07

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Fr. Mark C. Ernstmann

Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Died: 8/7/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 11/19/2018. Alleged to have had "sexual interactions" with a 17-year-old in the early 1970s. It was first reported to the Diocese in 2002, and again in 2018. Ernstmann retired in 2004 and died 8/7/2013. Included on the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph's 9/5/2019 list of those with substantiate allegations against them.

Assignments:

Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau 11.19.18

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Fr. Mark Santo

Order: OSM
Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Died: 5/3/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Given name Charles Edward Santo. Worked in a number of dioceses and archdioceses including Chicago, Winona, Lansing, Miami, Los Angeles. Assignments included parishes, schools, and prison ministry. Left the order in 1988. Incardinated into the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, reportedly transferred to Los Angeles after a short time. Died 5/3/2008 in Canada. Named publicly as accused by the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese on its list updated 4/1/2019 (with a wrong death date). Alleged abuse in the 1960s reported in 2018.

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Fr. Michael V. McDevitt

Ordained: 1971
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Accused in a 9/2024 federal lawsuit of sexually abusing a girl under age 10 in the late 1990s, while assigned to Sacred Heart in Poplar Bluff.

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Fr. Paul McHugh

Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Died: 6/4/1983
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

In 10/2002 a man alleged abuse by McHugh as a boy in 1982. Bernard Law was bishop of the diocese at the time of the alleged abuse. The man said he told Bishop Law on two occasions (once was before McHugh's death) but Law did not want to hear the details and told him not to tell anyone. McHugh died 6/4/1983 at age 40. Bishop Law presided at weekend masses in the parish for two months. The man said that he approached the Bishop for the second time then. McHugh's name was included on the diocese's list of accused 11/19/2018.

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Fr. Stephen A. Juda

Order: CR
Ordained: 1942
Status: Accused

Died: 10/10/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Named publicly as accused by the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese on its list updated 4/1/2019. It notes an incident in 1972, reported in 2004. Included on the Resurrectionists' list in 10/2021. Included in 10/2022 on the Chicago archdiocese's list of credibly accused. Named in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. Juda died in 2006, age 91.

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Fr. Stephen A. Schneider

Ordained: 1972
Status: Accused

Died: 3/3/2016
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Monsignor. Assigned to St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Joplin when removed in 2/2006 after allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor, which were made in 12/2005. Schneider died in 2016.

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Fr. Thomas E. Reidy

Ordained: 1967
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Monsignor. Pastor of Immaculate Conception in Springfield when accused in a federal lawsuit in 9/2024 of sexually abusing a boy, along with another priest, while assigned to St. Canera in Neosho. The abuse allegedly went on for two years, when the boy was ages 9-12. Placed on leave.

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Fr. Wallace G. Ellinger

Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Died: 2/14/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list updated 3/15/2019. Allegedly abused a minor in the 1960s. Ellinger was laicized in 1976. He went on to marry a woman with many children and settled in Austin, TX. He died in 2007.

Assignments:

Diocese of Springfield Cape-Girardeau 03.18.19

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Fr. Walter G. J. Craig

Ordained: 1923
Status: Accused

Died: 12/16/1971
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Ordained for the Archdiocese of St. Louis; became a priest of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese when it was established in 1956. In late 2012, the Diocese announced it had received a credible complaint that Craig sexually abused a boy in the mid-1960s. Craig was assigned to Immaculate Conception in New Madrid at that time. Reportedly in 1952, a 14-year-old boy, who was a student at St. Matthew's Elementary School, told police he bought an obscene magazine for Fr. Craig, who wanted to support his complaint to police that the store was selling indecent literature. Craig was pastor of St. Matthew Parish. The store's proprietor was arrested. Craig died 12/16/1971. Included on the Springfield-Cape Girardeau's list 11/19/2018. On the St. Louis archdiocese's list 7/26/2019.

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Fr. Wayne J. Barron

Order: CMF
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 5/29/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Named publicly as accused by the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese on its list updated 4/1/2019. It notes alleged abused in 1972, reported in 2003. Removed from ministry in the 1990s. Died 5/29/2011. Included in 10/2022 on the Chicago archdiocese's list. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. William E. Donovan

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 2/9/1975
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Died 2/9/1975 at age 45. Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list updated 3/15/2019. Allegedly sexually abused a minor in 1968. In 11/2019 the Diocese announced that it had received a second allegation, of abuse 1968-1972.

Assignments:

Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau 03.18.19

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Rev. Val H. Reker

Ordained: 1941
Status: Sued

Died: 2/23/1987
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Accused in a federal lawsuit filed on 9/13/2024 of child sexual abuse (name sometimes misspelled "Reeker.")

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