Diocese of Gallup NM - BishopAccountability.org

28 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Michael J. Aten

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Ordained: 1977
Status: Accused

Professed vows as a Marianist brother in 1964, Province of St. Louis. Worked in MO and WI. Withdrew from the Marianists in 1971. Graduated from Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas. Ordained in 1977. Worked in AZ for many years. Named as abuser by Gallup diocese in 5/93. Incidents occurred in about 1988. Sent for treatment. Multiple allegations. Removed from ministry in 5/91. Died 6/24/01. Included on the Marianists list of accused 6/24/20.

Assignments:

Gallup Diocese List downloaded 02.28.15

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Fr. Michael Baca

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1953
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

On the Gallup diocese's 12/16/14 list. Assigned to St Joseph the Worker in San Fidel NM in 1961. Per the Official Catholic Directory was there as Retreat Director 1961-70. Did 18 years of missionary work throughout the US, and among the Otomi Indians of central Mexico. Also worked in the Peoria IL diocese and the Santa Fe and Louisville archdioceses. Wrote the "Life Is for Living" column for 12 years for the national magazine St. Anthony Messenger. On Gallup diocese's list in 12/18, noted to be deceased. Accused, along with Rev. Conran Runnebaum OFM, in 2009 of abuse of a boy, age 8, in 1961 in NM. Diocese settled. Attorney said there had been previous complaints about both priests. On Wichita diocese's list 9/20/19. On Peoria list by 1/20.

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Fr. George Baz

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Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Name included on Gallup diocese's 12/14 list of credibly accused clerics. Assigned to St. Joseph Parish, Winslow AZ 07/1968-09/1968. Deceased.

Assignments:

Diocese of Gallup LIst downloaded 02.28.15

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Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15

Fr. Ephrem Beltramea

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Order: OFM
Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Name among Franciscan alleged clergy perpetrators of sexual abuse in 12/14 court document related to Gallup NM diocese's bankruptcy case. Assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Parish 6/1970-05/1973. Believed to be deceased. Diocese announced it added Beltramea's name to its list of credibly accused in 5/17.

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Diocese of Gallup Credibly Accused List

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Fr. John Boland

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Ordained: 1975
Status: Charged

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Accused of sexually abusing 14-year-old boy 2/83 in Winslow AZ. Arrested; charged with 4 misdemeanors/1 felony. Plea agreement 6/93; 3 misdemeanors dropped. Sentenced 9/83 to probation on misdemeanor; felony dropped. Boy and family never testified and were never informed of results except that charges were being dismissed and Boland would be transferred. Name given to diocese in 2005 but information "discovered" in 2009 file review. Removed 2/09. Returned to Ireland in 2010. Settlements pending.

Assignments:

Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15

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Fr. Eugene Botello

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Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Name among Franciscan alleged clergy perpetrators of sexual abuse in 12/14 court documents related to Gallup NM diocese's bankruptcy case. Believed to be deceased.

Sources:

Gallup Independent 12.03.14

Fr. James M. Burns

Ordained: 1962
Status: Convicted

Died: 08/6/2010
Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

In 2003 the diocese released names of Burns and four other priests accused of sexual abuse over the previous 20 years. Burns was accused "several times" of sexual abuse, sent for therapy, then reassigned. Another allegation made; removed from ministry and "retired" in 1993. Accused of abuse in AZ and CA by one person in 2003 CA suit. This claim included in 7/07 $660M settlement with L.A. archdiocese. Pleaded guilty in 2004 and received two 1.5 year sentences. Also accused of abuse of a girl. Died 8/6/10 in AZ.

Fr. Crispin Butz

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Order: OFM
Ordained: 1950
Status: Accused

Died: 01/7/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Name among Franciscan alleged clergy perpetrators of sexual abuse in 12/14 court documents related to Gallup NM diocese's bankruptcy case. Early in career worked in Batesville, IN and Louisville, KY; moved to Sacred Heart Parish, Gallup NM 1954. Abuse allegedly during 1960-63, when at St. Francis of Assisi, Gallup. Other assignments: Basilica Cathedral of St. Francis, Santa Fe, rector 1984-94. Pastored parishes in Albuquerque, Bloomfield, Cuba and Grants NM. Last assignment St. Paschal Friary, Santa Fe. Died 11/7/11 at Casa Guadalupe Friary, Albuquerque.

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Fr. Charles Cichanowicz

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1980
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

A man filed suit in 11/07 in Navaho Nation District Court alleging Cichanowicz had given him alcohol and sexually abused him twice 1984-85, when he was teen and Cichanowicz was assigned to Shiprock, NM. Shown in the Lafayette, IN diocese per 1989 OCD. Left Order in 1991; laicized in 1994. Worked as a counselor at Alpine Counseling in Lafayette, IN. Two more suits filed in 2009. Judge dismissed the 2007 suit; Navajo Superior Court reinstated it in 9/11. All Plaintiffs settled in 7/12. Agreed never to work with or around minors. On Lafayette IN list 9/28/18 (name spelled Chichanowicz).

Fr. David Joseph Clark

Order: CMF
Ordained: 1954
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Worked in Los Angeles, CA; Prescott, AZ; Ft. Worth, TX; Yuma, AZ; Alexandria, Monroe, Cottonport and Marksville, LA. Accused in 1994 lawsuit of abusing two brothers in Prescott, AZ in 1959 and 1960. Case dismissed on statute of limitations and affirmed by US Court of Appeals in 12/96. Included on Santa Fe archdiocese list of accused on 9/12/17. On Baton Rouge diocese's list in early 2019. It notes a report to diocese 12/15/18 of abuse 1964-65 while assigned to St. Thomas More. Clark left the diocese in 1965. Died in the 2000s.

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Archdiocese of Santa Fe List 03.08.19

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Fr. Finian Connolly

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Order: OFM
Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Name among Franciscan alleged clergy perpetrators of sexual abuse in a 12/14 court document related to Gallup NM diocese's bankruptcy case. Assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish in Cuba, NM 1960-1963. Believed to be deceased.

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Fr. Joseph Coutu

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Ordained: 1981
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Name included on Gallup diocese's 12/14 list of credibly accused clerics. Assignments include St. Mary's, Farmington NM 05/81 - 12/81; Our Lady of Guadalupe, Holbrook AZ, 12/81 - 83; Sacred Heart Cathedral, Gallup NM 1983 - 06/84.

Assignments:

Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15

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Br. Dennis Duffy

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Order: OSB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Named publicly as accused by the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans on its list in 5/31/19. Added to Gallup NM list in 8/19. First assignment in 1968. Allegations in 1990 of sexual abuse of minors in 1975 in Whiteriver, AZ. Removed from ministry, put on a safety plan. Also on the Oakland diocese's list in 2019. On Stockton diocese's list 11/12/20, which notes he was assigned there 1968-71.

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Fr. Julian Hartig

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Order: OFM
Ordained: 1926
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Originally from Franciscan Province of St. John the Baptist in Cincinnati. Worked in TX, MO, KS, KY and NM. Assigned to China missions 1929-36. In NM worked in Gallup and Lumberton and its missions. Assignments included St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Gallup NM (1955), St. Francis of Assisi Mission, Lumberton NM (1961-1964). Died 10/14/87 in Albuquerque. Accused of abusing a young girl near the Jicarilla Apache Reservation. Accuser was given counseling and matter referred to Review Board. Allegation found to be credible by Diocese and Order. Included on Gallup diocese's 12/14 list of clerics credibly accused of sexual abuse of minor(s).

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Fr. James Lindenmeyer

Ordained: 1948
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Named in 6/13 civil suit by one former student who alleged abuse at St. Joseph's Catholic School in Winslow AZ. Lindenmeyer worked as Vicar General of diocese in 1960s. Retired in 1996; died in 2007. Diocese denies any other allegations against him.H

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Fr. Douglas A. McNeill

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Ordained: 1970
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Entered religious life with Mission of Sacred Heart in 1962. Dispensation granted 1967. Ordained for the Gallup diocese. Assigned to Winslow and Holbrook, AZ and Thoreau, NM. Removed in 3/94 after accused in a civil suit of abusing a youth in 1978 while the youth stayed with him at St. Bonaventure Indian Mission to finish the school year. In 1993 McNeill admitted to the abuse when his accuser confronted him. Offered to pay the man $15K from school funds. Man refused. Suit settled in 9/95 for $135K. Also accused of abuse of two in AZ in 1971. McNeill still "on leave" per 2002 OCD. Deceased, per diocese's list updated 12/10/18.

Assignments:

Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15

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Fr. Rene D. Messier

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Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Name included on Gallup diocese's 12/15/14 list of credibly accused. Assignments included St. Mary Mediatrix of all Graces, Yarnell AZ 1961-1963 and St. Anne, Ashfork AZ 1963. Deceased.

Assignments:

Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15

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Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15
Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15

Fr. John Ambrose Newton

Order: CPPS
Ordained: 1932
Status: Accused

Died: 09/22/1966
Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Name included on Gallup diocese's 12/15/14 list of credibly accused. Assigned to Winslow AZ 1955-1957; Springerville AZ 1957-1959. Died 9/22/66, Detroit MI.

Assignments:

Diocese of Gallup List Downloaded 02.28.15

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Fr. Jose H. Rodriguez

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Ordained: 1975
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

In 2003 the Diocesan Review board said Rodriguez was accused in 1999 of sexual abuse occurring more than 20 years prior. Settlement reached with the alleged victim and Rodriguez. Removed from active ministry in 1999. Had assignments in a number of churches in AZ and NM. Shown as "retired" in 2002 Catholic Directory. Per diocese, was at Assumption parish in Overgaard AZ as of 6/20/05.

Assignments:

Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15

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Fr. Conran Runnebaum

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Order: OFM
Ordained: 1955
Status: Settled

Died: 05/5/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Name included on the Gallup diocese's 12/14 list of credibly accused clerics. Assignments included parishes in Grants, Farmington and San Fidel NM. Accused in 2009 of abuse of 8-year-old boy in 1961 at Sacred Heart in Farmington. Accuser said Rev. Miguel Baca OFM also abused him. Diocese settled. Attorney said there had been previous complaints about both priests. Runnebaum died 5/5/07.

Assignments:

Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15

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Fr. Raul N. Sanchez

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Ordained: 1974
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Named as abuser in court pleadings filed 6/12. More than one accuser. Worked in one parish, Madre de Dios in Winslow, before teaching in a diocesan seminary program in Gallup and then becoming an Air Force chaplain. Gallup Chancellor 1979-11/86. Shown in Catholic Directory as absent in 2012; apparently living in Mexico. Sued 9/12 and 4/13 along with Clement Hageman with claims of abuse in the 1970s in Winslow, AZ. Named in new suit 6/13.

Assignments:

Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15

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Fr. James J Schlaffer

Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Ordained for the Milwaukee archdiocese. A 7/27/04 article in the Gallup Independent related that Schlaffer allegedly 'probed the vaginal area' of an 18-year-old Navajo girl hospitalized and in traction at the Gallup Indian Medical Center 30 years prior. On her first day of work after graduating from high school, the girl had been struck by a car as she walked on the shoulder of a reservation road. The girl ordered Schlaffer from her hospital room, expelled him again when he returned, and requested that the hospital add a note to her record stating that she wanted no visits from him. Subsequently the girl met another injured girl at the hospital, age 17, who said Schlaffer was a 'nasty priest' who had put his hand under her blouse and fondled her. He died on 8/22/98.

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Mark Schornack

Order: OFM
Status: Settled

Died: 01/16/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Accused 5/10/13 complaint of touching &\and penetrating a girl at a Mission in St Michael's AZ in Navajo Nation. Plaintiff on claimants' committee in Gallup bankruptcy; came forward as Prudence Jones. Accused in 2015 complaint of abusing 2nd girl by sexual touching, fondling, frottage, intercrural sex and penetration at St Michael's. Settled 11/17. Worked in Navajo Nation over 20 years as bus driver, helper of poor and children's roller skate teacher. Trained as Maryknoll; no final vows; concerns about vocation. Treated by Servants of the Paraclete in Jemez Springs NM; admitted to Franciscans while in treatment there; solemn vows 8/16/59. Worked at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Fort Defiance AZ and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Kayenta AZ. Later lived at Curia Juan Diego/OFM Friary in Albuquerque, per 2005-12 Directory. Worked at St. Felix Pantry in Rio Rancho NM. Dementia in last years; lived at South Valley Care Center in Albuquerque. Died 1/16/12. On diocesan list as of 4/28/17.

Fr. Lawrence Schreiber

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Name included on the Gallup diocese's 12/14 list of credibly accused clerics. Assigned to numerous parishes in the diocese 1961-91. On the Las Cruces diocese's list 6/24/19, where he was assigned 2002-03.

Assignments:

Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15

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Seminarian Carl Todaro

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Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Name included on the Gallup diocese's 12/14 list of those credibly accused. Seminarian Mount St. Mary's of the West 1951-52.

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Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15

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Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15

Fr. David E. Viramontes

Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Name included on Gallup diocese's list of credibly accused clerics in 1/15. Gallup diocese filed for bankruptcy in 2013 after lawsuit claiming 57 victims. Viramontes assigned to Aragon NM, Flagstaff, Winslow and Holbrook AZ. Died in 1997. On Las Cruces diocese's list 11/8/18. It notes a report received in 2012 of an alleged incident in 1997.

Assignments:

Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15

Sources:

Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15
Arizona Journal 11.21.15
KVIA 11.08.18
Diocese of Las Cruces List 11.08.18

Fr. Samuel J. Wilson

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Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Worked for 33 years in the Gallup diocese. Assigned to 20 rural parishes, mostly in AZ and NM, including on the Navajo and White Mountain Apache reservations and a number of small Hispanic communities. Died in 1986. Named as abuser in court pleadings filed 6/12. More than one accuser.

Assignments:

Diocese of Gallup List downloaded 02.28.15

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Br. Clementine Wottle

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1925
Status: Accused

Died: 08/3/1986
Diocese: Diocese of Gallup NM

Name among Franciscan alleged clergy perpetrators of sexual abuse in 12/14 court document related to Gallup NM diocese's bankruptcy case. Assigned to St. Isabel Mission in Lukachukai AZ in 1965, and Sacred Heart Parish in Waterflow NM 1966-1970. Died 8/03/86 in St. Michael's AZ.

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