Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

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Terry McKiernan February 26, 2021

44 Accused in This Diocese

Br. Berthold Ascher

Order: OFM Cap
Status: Accused

Died: 05/20/1967
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Capuchin Brother. Assigned in Marathon WI, Huntington IN, Detroit MI and the Indian Missions in MT. Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on its list 8/21/2018. Died in 5/1967. Per his obituary, the Cheyenne children of the St. Labre Mission and the Crow children at St. Xavier Mission called him "Brother Candy" because he always carried candy in his pocket to give to them. Included on the St. Joseph Province Capuchins' list of those with substantiated allegations against them.

Assignments:

Capuchin Friars St. Joseph Province List 08.19.21

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Fr. Anthony M. Brown

Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Died: 11/3/2010
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Monsignor. Priest of the Diocese of Helena. Superintendent of Helena diocesan Schools; President of Carroll College in Helena; Vice President of St. Thomas College in St. Paul, MN for one year; President of the College of Great Falls; mental health counselor at St. James Hospital in Butte. Named publicly as accused by the Great Falls-Billings diocese on its list 8/21/2018. Died in 2010, age 90.

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Fr. John Joseph Brown

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 08/26/1987
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

As part of Section 13.1, Non-Monetary Commitments, of the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, Reorganization Plan (dated 7/18/2011) the Province agreed to post on its website the names of all members of the province who are identified as perpetrators of sexual abuse in proofs of claims filed in the bankruptcy, and who have not denied the allegation. Brown's name is included on this list without any additional information on claims against him. Native American. Worked in San Francisco, Seattle, Spokane, Baker, Boise City, Helena, and Great Falls dioceses, primarily in Native American mission schools and parishes. Per the Jesuits West list 12/7/2018, alleged abuse of a minor 1953-1959, reported in 2009. Died 8/26/1987. On the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings list 8/21/2018.

Assignments:

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Fr. Martin J. Burke

Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Died: 01/11/1993
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

From Ireland, where he was ordained in 1947 for the Diocese of Great Falls. Parish priest, pastor; vice-chancellor, chancellor; Presbyteral Council moderator; Diocesan Consultor; Diocesan Financial Council member. Died in 1993. (Burke's uncle of the same name was a priest of the Diocese of Helena who died in 1938.) Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 8/21/2018.

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Fr. William M. Cawley

Ordained: 1973
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Harrisburg PA priest working in the Great Falls-Billings diocese. Included on the Harrisburg diocese's list of accused released 8/1/2018. Accused in a lawsuit filed in WY in 2012 of the sexual abuse of a child in MT starting in the early 1970s. Taught at York Catholic High School in Harrisburg PA 1988-2012. On the Great Falls-Billings diocese's list 8/21/2018. The Great Falls-Billings chancellor said in 3/2019 that the allegation was not credible, per an independent investigation.

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Fr. Arnold L. Custer

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 03/2/1969
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Named publicly as accused by the Great Falls-Billings diocese on its list 8/21/2018. Included on the Jesuits West list 12/7/2018. Died 3/2/1969.

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Fr. Dennis Druggan

Order: OFM Cap
Ordained: 1984
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Removed as president and rector of St. Lawrence Seminary High School in Mt. Calvary, WI 7/2012 after an allegation in 6/2012 that he had sexually assaulted a minor at St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, MT in mid- to late-1980s. He was at the school 1984-1991. Druggan denied the allegations. He had worked with St. Lawrence since 1993. No criminal charges due to the statute of limitations. A second complaint was received. The Order found the allegations credible and permanently removed Druggan's privileges. Prayer and penance suggested by the Order. Included on the Great Falls-Billings list in 8/21/2018. On the Capuchins St. Joseph Province list of those with substantiated allegations. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, last name spelled Drugan.

Assignments:

Capuchins St. Joseph Province List 08.19.21

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Fr. O’Reilly

Donate Photo

Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

One male plaintiff in a civil suit filed by 10 accusers in 2/2012 alleged abuse as a minor by O'Reilly when he was attending St. Xavier's Mission and Bellarmine Prep School. (Possibly is accused priest Rev. Patrick J. O'Reilly, S.J.)

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Br. James Anthony Gleason

Donate Photo

Order: OFM Cap
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

"Jim." Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on its list 8/21/2018. Reportedly in 6/1982, Gleason was granted a sabbatical for studies. Included on the St. Joseph (Midwest) Province Capuchin Franciscans list of credibly accused 8/6/2025. Per the list, Gleason was at Servants of the Paraclete in Jemez Springs NM, which is a treatment center for Catholic priests and religious brothers on two occasions: 11/1988-6/1989; 9/15/1995-6/11/1996 and once with the Paracletes in St. Louis: 5/1/1998, 9/1/1998. Further, he was on leave of absence 9/1/1998-8/21/2000 and dispensed from his vows 8/21/2000.

Assignments:

St. Joseph Province Capuchins List 08.06.25

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Fr. Charles Gorman

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 03/29/2020
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 8/21/2018. Ordained in his native Ireland, arrived in the Great Falls-Billings diocese the same year, where he spent his career. Did some "circuit-riding" in AK, after which he visited often and worked as a fill-in priest. Died 3/29/2020.

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Fr. John Haligowski

Ordained: 1932
Status: Accused

Died: 04/1/1988
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

From Poland. Arrived in MT in 1949. Retired in 1978. Moved to CA then San Antonio TX, where he died. Longtime pastor of St. Joseph's in Big Timber. Died in 1988. Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 8/21/2018.

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Fr. Joseph S. Heretick

Ordained: 1947
Status: Settled

Died: 01/16/1999
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

A female plaintiff in a civil suit filed by 10 accusers in 2/2012 alleged sexual abuse by Heretick in the mid-1980s when he was assigned to St. Michael's in Absarokee, MT and she was a minor. Also, a man claimed abuse beginning when he was age 8 by Heretick and a Fr. Cawley 1974-1980. Heretick was sent to treatment in the 1980s. The bishop is alleged to have ignored a recommendation that he not be placed back in ministry. Heretick died 1/16/1999. In 4/2018 the Diocese agreed to a $20M settlement of 86 claims of child sexual abuse occurring during the 1940s-1990s, including those against Heretick. The Diocese filed for bankruptcy in 3/2017, just before jury trials were to begin. Heretick's name was included 8/21/2018 on the Diocese's list of accused.

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Sr. Sigfrieda Hettinger

Order: SSSF
Status: Accused

Died: 01/24/2016
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Member of the School Sisters of St. Francis (SSSF) of St. Joseph Convent. Professed final vows in 1955. Taught in IA, NE, MT, MN, WI and IL. Died 1/24/2016, age 87. Named publicly as accused by the Great Falls-Billings diocese on its list 8/21/2018.

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Fr. Emmett Hoffmann

Order: OFM Cap
Ordained: 1953
Status: Sued

Died: 02/1/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Accused in a 12/30/2011 civil lawsuit filed against the Diocese and Order. Plaintiff (a member of the Cheyenne tribe) alleged that Hoffman molested and raped her between 1955 and 1962 when she was a minor and he was assigned to St. Labre Mission School in Ashland. He started at the school in 1954. The girl was a boarding student. He left the Capuchin order and became a Diocesan priest. He retired from the mission in 1993 and lived in a retirement community on the reservation until his death 2/1/2013. Per a 2017 news report, five former St. Labre Indian School students accused Hoffman of having molested them between 1955 and 1984. Included on the Diocese's list 8/21/2018 (as "Emmitt Hoffman.") Also on the Capuchins St. Joseph Province list of those with substantiated allegations against them.

Assignments:

Capuchin Friars St. Joseph Province List 08.19.21

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Fr. William A. Hogan

Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Ordained in Ireland in 1966. Parish priest, pastor. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 8/21/2018.

Sources:

Diocese of Great Falls-Billings List 08.21.18

Fr. Leo F. Janson

Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 10/8/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 8/21/2018. (Name misspelled Jansen). Died in 2006.

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Fr. John Patrick Kendrigan

Ordained: 1946
Status: Accused

Died: 12/10/1967
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Named publicly as accused on the Diocese's list 8/21/2018. Worked in Glendive, Jordan, Poplar and Great Falls. Died 12/10/1967 at age 50.

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Fr. Leonard A. Kohlman

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Died: 09/24/1972
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Died 9/24/1972 in an accident at age 51. As part of Section 13.1, Non-Monetary Commitments, of the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, Reorganization Plan (dated 7/18/2011) the Province agreed to post on its website the names of all members of the province who are identified as perpetrators of sexual abuse in proofs of claims filed in the bankruptcy case, and who have not denied the allegation. Kohlman's name is included on this list. Included on the Jesuits West Province list 12/7/2018, which notes reports in 2009 of abuse 1958-1967, 1962-1976 and 1965-1969.

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Sr. Giswalda Kramer

Status: Accused

Died: 11/27/1988
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

First named publicly as accused by the Great Falls-Billings Diocese on its list 8/21/2018. Born 3/25/1903; entered the School Sisters of St Francis (SSSF/OSF) of St. Joseph Convent in 1921. Began teaching in Nebraska and was sent in 1933 with 5 other nuns to teach at the St. Labre Mission on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana. In 1936 she was sent as superior and principal of St. Paul's Mission School on the Fort Belknap Reservation. She brought the grammar school up to state standard and founded St. Paul's Mission High School. Adopted into the Gros Ventre tribe in 1951, given the name Pipe Woman. Earned a Masters of Education from Montana State University in 1955. Principal of the Year in 1987 (1 of 20 in the US). Died 11/27/1988.

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Fr. Lothar Konrad Krauth

Ordained: 1973
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

From Germany. Arrived in the U.S. in 1978 to work in the Great Falls-Billings diocese. Became a U.S. citizen in 1986. Assigned 1989-2014 to Our Lady of Lourdes in Great Falls. Retired. Found by Great Falls police on 10/26/2018 to have a large amount of child sexual abuse images on his computer. Some images were of children as young as ages two or three years. Pleaded guilty in 4/2019 to one count of the receipt of child pornography. Sentenced in 10/2019 to five years in prison, then five years supervised release. No longer in custody as of 2/29/2024. Per the MT sex offender registry in 1/2025, Krauth was living in Green Bay and working at an auto parts store.

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Fr. Harvey D. Livix

Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 09/26/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 8/21/2018. Was College of Great Falls assistant to the president 1966-1969. Left to pursue his doctorate in higher education and gerontology at Michigan State. Left the priesthood. Married in 1970, settled with his wife in Arizona. Died 9/26/2007.

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Fr. Kevin J. Malee

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1978
Status: Charged

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Priest of the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, ordained in 1978. In 1981 Malee reportedly went on leave of absence to work in the Diocese of Phoenix. He returned to Great-Falls Billings and later moved to the Diocese of San Diego.In 11/1987 he was criminally charged with two counts of deviant sexual conduct, accused of assaulting a 15-year-old boy for 1985-1986 at a rectory, church, family home and while on vacation with the teen's family. The case was dismissed after Malee's accuser would not agree to a psychological evaluation for the defense; he had already undergone three such evaluations for the prosecution. The family sued in 1988; Malee countersued. The Helena Diocese had one archival file and the Great Falls Diocese has two secret archives files. In 1990 a judge denied the plaintiff's request for discovery of these files. Included 08/21/2018 on the Diocese's list of accused.

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Fr. Thomas McTague

Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Died: 04/27/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

From Ireland. Joined the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in Belgium in 1937, and made perpetual vows 1942. Left the Sacred Heart Brothers in 1946 to study for the priesthood at St. Thomas College in St. Paul, MN. Ordained in 1957 for the Diocese of Great Falls. Parish priest. Died 4/27/2008. Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 8/21/2018.

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Fr. Joseph Mikulich

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1922
Status: Accused

Died: 03/15/2000
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

From Croatia. A woman from Great Falls reported in 1985 that Mikulich sexually abused her when she was ages 12-21 in the 1970s. He would visit the family in Great Falls. Mikulich worked in the Archdiocese of Portland 1962-1982, retired, and during 1983-1985 was at the Croatian Center in San Francisco, CA. He returned to Croatia in 1986. The Archdiocese refused any assistance to the young woman and did not tell Mikulich (then age 87) of the allegations. He died in 2000 at age 101. Included on the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans list 5/31/2019.

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Br. Clarence Moreau

Donate Photo

Order: SJ
Status: Sued

Died: 03/21/1971
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Given name "Clarence Talks Different." Grew up on Fort Belknap Reservation. Changed his name to Clarence Moreau when he became a Jesuit brother working on the reservation. In 2009 a man alleged abuse by Moreau at age 11 in the early 1960s. He said Moreau would take him and other youths to movies and on overnight trips and would give them alcohol and cigarettes. Moreau died by suicide 3/21/1971 at age 36. As of 4/2011, the Diocese had denied that he was a Jesuit brother or that he completed training in any order. Named in an amended lawsuit filed in 6/2012. Named in a 2017 suit against the Diocese as having sexually abused 4 children at St. Paul in Hays 1959-1971.

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Fr. Kirk C. Morgan

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Died: 10/6/2024
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Accused in two separate lawsuits in early 1999 of sexually abusing teenage boys. One plaintiff reportedly had developmental disabilities. Both claimed the abuse started in 1996. At least one of the suits settled out of court in 2000. Included on the Diocese's list of accused by the Diocese on its list 8/21/2018. Died 10/6/2024.

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Fr. Emmett Neville

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1937
Status: Accused

Died: 06/4/1964
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Ordained for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1937. Sent the same year as a missioner to South Africa. Returned to Montana and by 1954 was assigned to Little Flower Parish in Billings, where he became pastor. Died at age 52 in 1964. Named publicly as accused by the Great Falls-Billings diocese on its list 8/21/2018.

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Fr. Joseph T. Papes

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 10/26/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 8/21/2018. Died 10/26/2006 in Michigan. Per his obituary, Papes was ordained for the Diocese of Great Falls where he worked in parishes as an assistant and pastor. At some point he returned to his native Michigan, working in the Diocese of Lansing.

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Fr. Carl Pulvermacher

Order: OFM Cap
Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 05/29/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on its list 8/21/2018. Died 5/29/2006.

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Fr. James J. Reilly

Donate Photo

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1944
Status: Accused

Died: 07/4/1990
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Named publicly as accused by the Great Falls-Billings diocese on its list 8/21/2018. Included on the Fargo diocese's list 1/2/2020. Allegations substantiated. Died in 1990. Per his obituary, Reilly went to Via Caeli [sic]monastery in NM 1955-1968; Via Coeli was a Servants of the Paraclete treatment facility for troubled priests, including alcoholics and pedophiles. Reilly was assigned to parishes in the Dioceses of Bismarck and Billings-Great Falls.

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Fr. James Reynolds

Ordained: 1961
Status: Sued

Died: 07/3/2019
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Parish priest and school teacher. Left the priesthood in 1989 and married in 1992. Worked as a counselor. One female plaintiff in a civil suit filed by 10 accusers in 2/2012 alleged sexual abuse by Robinson when she was a minor and he was assigned to Wolf Point, MT. His name is included on the Diocese's list 8/21/2018. He died 7/3/2019.

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Fr. Edmund J. Robinson

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1955
Status: Sued

Died: 05/22/2014
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

"Father Eddy." At least one of the plaintiffs in a civil suit filed by 10 accusers in 2/2012 alleged abuse by Robinson when he was assigned to St. Paul's Mission in Hays, MT. Also accused of abuse of at least one girl in 1963 at St. Ignatius Mission in the Helena diocese. Sent to Servants of the Paraclete in NM for treatment in the early 1980s. Last known to have lived at Regis Community in Spokane, WA. Died 5/22/2014. Included on the Helena diocese's list posted to its website 4/29/2015 in compliance with the non-monetary terms of the 3/5/2015 bankruptcy settlement. By 2017 Robinson had been accused in lawsuits of the sexual abuse, including rape, of 9 children - boys and girls - on Indian reservations in the 1950s and 1960s. Included on the Great Falls-Billings diocese's list 8/21/2018. On the Jesuit West list 12/7/2018.

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Br. John I. Ryan

Donate Photo

Order: SJ
Status: Sued

Died: 08/3/1986
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Named in a lawsuit against the diocese in 2017 as sexual abusing minors 1955-1966 at St. Paul Mission in Hays, on the Fort Belknap Indian reservation. Included on the Great Falls-Billings diocese's list 8/21/2018 and on the Jesuits West list 12/7/2018. Died 8/3/1986.

Assignments:

Jesuits West Province List 12.07.18

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Sr. Mary Barbara Sabel

Donate Photo

Order: OSF
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Sister of St. Francis of Oldenburg, IN. Died 7/20/1980. Named publicly as accused by the Great Falls-Billings diocese on its list 8/21/2018.

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Fr. Patrick F. Savage

Ordained: 1923
Status: Accused

Died: 09/15/1965
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on its list 8/21/2018. Included on the Jesuits West list 12/7/2018. Died 9/15/1965.

Assignments:

Jesuits West Province List 12.07.18

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Fr. Frederick Simoneau

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1941
Status: Sued

Died: 04/21/1984
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Named in a lawsuit against the diocese in 2017 by five plaintiffs as having repeatedly abused them as children during 1955-1974 at St. Paul Mission in Hays, on the Fort Belknap Indian reservation. Born 1/21/1908. Died 4/21/1984. Buried in Mt. St. Michael Cemetery in Spokane WA. Included on the Great Falls-Billings diocese's list 8/21/2018. On the Jesuits West list 12/7/2018.

Assignments:

Jesuits West Province List 12.07.18

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Sister Benno

Order: SSSF
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

School Sister of St. Francis (SSSF/OSF) of St. Joseph Convent. Named publicly as accused by the Great Falls-Billings diocese on its list 8/21/2018.

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Sister Charissma

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Order: SSSF
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

School Sister of St. Francis (SSSF/OSF) of St. Joseph Convent. Named publicly as accused by the Great Falls-Billings diocese on its list 8/21/2018.

Sources:

Diocese of Great Falls-Billings List 08.21.18

Sister Christine

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Order: SSSF
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

School Sister of St. Francis (SSSF/OSF) of St. Joseph Convent. Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on its list 8/21/2018.

Sources:

Diocese of Great Falls-Billings List 08.21.18

Sr. Mary

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Order: SSSF
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

School Sister of St. Francis (SSSF/OSF) of St. Joseph Convent. Named publicly as accused by the Great Falls-Billings diocese on its list 8/21/2018.

Sources:

Diocese of Great Falls-Billings List 08.21.18

Sister Regina

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Order: CSAC
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

School Sister of St. Francis (SSSF/OSF) of St. Joseph Convent. Named publicly as accused by the Great Falls-Billings diocese on its list 8/21/2018.

Sources:

Diocese of Great Falls-Billings List 08.21.18

Sister Vonnie

Donate Photo

Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

School Sister of St. Francis (SSSF/OSF) of St. Joseph Convent. Named publicly as accused by the Great Falls-Billings diocese on its list 8/21/2018.

Sources:

Diocese of Great Falls-Billings List 08.21.18

Fr. Theodore F. Szudera

Ordained: 1977
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

One of the plaintiffs in a civil suit filed by 10 accusers 2/2012 alleged that Szudera sexually abused him in 1978 and 1979 while Szudera was a priest in Livingston. The alleged victim said he reported the abuse in 2006 but nothing was done. An independent investigator deemed the allegation unfounded. Szudera was at one time a member of the Diocese's Independent Review Board. Remained in active ministry until he took leave as of 1/1/2012.

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Fr. Andrew J. Zarek

Ordained: 1936
Status: Accused

Died: 12/30/1988
Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 8/21/2018. Retired in 1982. Died 12/30/1988.

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