Diocese of Toledo OH

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Terry McKiernan February 26, 2021

43 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Thomas Joseph Beauregard

Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Died: 02/1/2005
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Accused publicly in 2002 of abusing at least three teenage girls 1964-1966, while a religion instructor at Central Catholic High School. He allegedly ordered girls to strip off their clothes during counseling sessions, took pictures of them, and fondled at least one. He also was said to sometimes take off his clothes and lie on top of the girls. Removed in 1994 from his parish assignment after a woman complained. Assigned to the Marriage Tribunal until at least 2002. Barred from public ministry. Allegations deemed substantiated. Died in 2/2005.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Nelson G. Beaver

Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Pastor of Resurrection Parish in Lexington and St. Mary of the Snows in Mansfield since 2010 when suspended in 10/2018 after an allegation he sexually abused a minor more than 25 years prior. Denied the allegation. Had been an ordained Lutheran minister 1969-1972 before converting to Catholicism. Retirement announced by the Diocese 7/1/2019. Still on administrative leave during diocesan investigation. Three more allegations surfaced after the first; the investigation into the first was closed in 3/2019, per the request of the alleged victim. Law enforcement closed their investigations due to the statute of limitations. The Diocese announced in 10/2019 that the review board deemed the allegations credible. Case to be sent to Vatican with recommendation for laicization. In 4/2022 the diocese announced that Beaver was sentenced by the Vatican to a life of prayer and penance.

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Fr. Ronald William Bohl

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1980
Status: Settled

Died: 01/19/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Worked in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the Diocese of Toledo, the Archdiocese of Louisville, and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Accused of a single incident in 1986 of making a sexual advance toward a minor in Carey OH. A 1993 settlement contained a confidentiality agreement. In treatment 1986-1987, then reassigned to parish work. Removed from a Louisville KY parish in 6/2002. Also worked in the Dubuque and Indianapolis archdioceses. Died 1/19/2012 in KY.

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BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Karl L. Burger

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1930
Status: Accused

Died: 09/13/1991
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese in 4/2020. Alleged victim(s) came forward after Burger's death. He died 9/13/1991.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Francis E. Canfield

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1967
Status: Accused

Died: 05/6/2023
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Added in 10/2023 to the Midwest Province Jesuits' list of those with 'established allegations.' A former St. John's High School student told the Province in 2022 that Canfield sexually abused him during 1999-2000. Canfield was a teacher at the school 1990-2005. He died in 5/2023.

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Deacon Bernabe Romo

Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Assigned to St. James in Toledo's South End 1980-2005, then moved to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Worked at St. Mary's in Greensburg IN. Retired in 2006, died in 2019. Name quietly added in 2/2023 to the Toledo diocese's list of those with substantiated allegations, received after his death.

Sources:

Toledo Blade 02.27.23

Fr. Michael J. Doyle

Ordained: 1925
Status: Settled

Died: 03/31/1987
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Monsignor. Director of Toledo Catholic Charities 1935-1974. President of the National Conference of Catholic Charities, elected in 1961. A woman filed suit in 10/2002 claiming Doyle sexually abused her as a child in his office at St. Anthony's Orphanage. She also alleged that at least two other orphans, including one he abused, knew of Doyle's alleged abuses. Doyle's accuser claimed she tried to tell the nuns at the orphanage but was punished and transferred to a residential school for girls for being defiant. She also tried to tell the diocese in 1973 but then-Bishop Donovan rejected her claims. One claim settled in 2004. Doyle died in 1987 at age 88.

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Fr. Albert A. Fate

Ordained: 1913
Status: Accused

Died: 06/16/1963
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese in 4/2020. Alleged victim(s) came forward after Fate's death. He died 6/16/1963.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Philip S. Feltman

Ordained: 1966
Status: Reinstated

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

A woman complained in 2002 that Feltman abused her when she was age 9 in 1972 at St. Thomas Aquinas parish. Diocesan review board found accusations to be credible and Feldman was placed on leave in 1/2003. He denied all charges. A disciplinary panel was scheduled. The woman refused to appear before the local church inquiry board, so the matter was forwarded to the Vatican. In 7/2003 Feltman was returned to ministry after a Vatican council found that there wasn't enough evidence to support the claims. He retired in 5/2009.

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Fr. Robert J. Fisher

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1980
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Convicted of a sexual offense committed against a 14-year-old girl in 1987 (referred to as misdemeanor charges of sexual imposition and contributing to sexual abuse of a minor). He served 30 days in jail in 1988 and underwent four years of therapy, after which he was reinstated. Placed on leave in 7/2002 after the Dallas Bishops' Conference. Permanently removed from public ministry in 2005.

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Fr. John J. Gallen

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1963
Status: Settled

Died: 04/17/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

New York Province Jesuit. Accused publicly in 2004 of abuse of 16-year-old boy in 1980 in Toledo, OH and CA. Jesuit Provincial in NY wrote to the alleged victim in 1993 and enclosed a letter of apology from Gallen. Gallen sent another letter in 1994. Settlement in 1994 for $50K. Gallen remained active until 2003. Died 4/17/2011. On the Jesuits Midwest Province list 12/17/2018. On the Phoenix diocese's list where he was at some point Director of Liturgy. On the Northeast Province Jesuits list 1/15/2019. It notes allegations of abuse of minors 1970s-1980s. "Impeded" in 2001. Added to Baltimore archdiocese's list 4/24/2019. Worked in the archdiocese at Woodstock College 1968-1975. On the Toledo diocese's list. Mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Frederick A. Garand

Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Died: 07/3/1982
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Murdered in 1982 in Florida. Toledo police interviewed two youths at the Child Study Institute who said they were abused by Garand and that there were other victims. As the investigation progressed a man came forward to say that Garand had abused him between 1954 and 1958. A policeman complained in 1958 and Garand was transferred to another parish. In 4/2020 the diocese included Garand on its list of credibly accused priests.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. William Geiger

Order: CSsR
Ordained: 1954
Status: Settled

Died: 06/17/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Suit filed by three men 5/1/2003 against the diocese alleging they were sexually abused as children in the 1970s by Geiger and another Redemptorist priest, at a Lima OH parish. The boys were ages 6-10 at time of alleged abuse. The identity of the second priest is not specified due to confusion as to his identity. When the suit was filed, Geiger was working near Charlotte NC, according to a Redemptorist source; the 2002 Directory shows him assigned to a Pennsylvania church in the Harrisburg diocese. St. James the Greater in Concord NC is a Redemptorist parish near Charlotte to the NE. The suit was settled in 2004. Geiger died 6/17/2007. Geiger's name was included on the Harrisburg diocese's 8/1/2018 list; no known allegations in that diocese.

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Fr. Dennis L. Gray

Ordained: 1974
Status: Sued

Died: 07/9/2019
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Sued in 2002 and 2003. Accused in at least 11 lawsuits of sexually abusing boys 1975-1987. Allegations deemed credible by the Diocese. Left the priesthood in 1987 and was voluntarily laicized in 1994. In 2002 Gray was working for Toledo Public Schools as dean of students at a high school. Surrendered his teaching certificate. As of 4/2012, SNAP reported he may have been attempting to join Blessed John Catholic Church in Perrysburg, OH. Died in 2019.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. John G. Hemstreet

Ordained: 1964
Status: Guilty plea

Died: 10/9/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Left active ministry in 1987. Arrested in 1992 for sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy. The Diocese paid for Hemstreet's treatment at St. Luke Institute. Pleaded guilty. Sentenced to 90 days in jail in 1993. Per the Diocese, Hemstreet left ministry without requesting laicization. Absent on leave per the 1988, 1990 and 1995 Catholic Directories. Died in 2007.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Bernard Kokocinski

Ordained: 1966
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Sued twice in 2002. Accused of raping a boy in 1975 and of abusing the boy's brother. Arrested at least three times for improper sexual activity. Suits settled at mediation in 6/2004. Barred from active ministry as of 2004. Included in the diocese's status report of 2/2005. Teaching certificate revoked in 11/2006. Dismissed from the clerical state in 2007.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Richard S. Liston

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1975
Status: Accused

Died: 01/12/1994
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Accused of raping a teenager in Norwalk in 1978. Diocese quietly transferred him at least twice. Toledo police investigation in 1985 into priest's financial interest in two gay bars uncovered the allegation from his past. Diocese sent him to treatment center in VA; he walked away from the center. Removed from public ministry in 1989. Died in 1/1994. The diocese added his name to its list of credibly accused in 4/2020.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. C. Neil Lucas

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1967
Status: Accused

Died: 11/3/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Placed on leave in 12/2002 after allegations that he sexually abused more than one boy in the mid-1970s. Review board recommended his removal. Lucas did not deny the allegations. Per a 3/2004 report from the diocese, Lucas was one of 10 priests permanently removed from public ministry because of credible or substantiated allegations. Died in 11/2007.

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Fr. John L. McCullen

Ordained: 1944
Status: Accused

Died: 11/24/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Named publicly as accused by the Toledo diocese on its list in 3/2004. Allegations surfaced after McCullen moved to FL in 1960; the abuse apparently occurred in FL. Assigned until 2004 to St. Ambrose Parish in Deefield Beach. Barred from public ministry. Matter sent to Rome. McCullen died 11/24/2013 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Michael P. McLaughlin

Ordained: 1977
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Sued in 2003. Accused of abuse of an 11-year-old boy in 1980 in a church rectory. Another man alleged he was abused by McLaughlin as a child in 1987. McLaughlin worked in four parishes before he was barred from ministry in 1990. A 3/2004 statement from the diocese said McLaughlin and two other accused priests left the ministry without requesting laicization. Allegations against them range from credible to substantiated to admitted. Laicization in process in 2020.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Thomas E. Meiring

Ordained: 1968
Status: Sued

Died: 04/15/2022
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

A man filed a civil suit in 2/2006 alleging abuse by Meiring 1967-1969, when he was age 15 and Meiring was a Toledo priest. Meiring denied the allegations. Asked to be laicized in 1983; not granted until 2016. Worked as a licensed counselor and clinical supervisor with transgender people and youths with gender-identity issues. Case dismissed in 3/2008 due to the statute of limitations, but the diocese and parish remained as defendants. Still licensed and working in 10/2019. Died 4/15/2022.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Richard G. Miller

Ordained: 1950
Status: Sued

Died: 03/30/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Reportedly in 9/2003 a man had recently filed suit alleging that he was molested from ages 8-14, during 1967-1973, by a Father Miller at at SS Peter and Paul in South Toledo. The Catholic Directories show that Rev. Richard G. Miller was pastor of the parish during the time in question. Per a court document, the case was dismissed with prejudice in 4/2004. Miller died 3/30/2009. In 2/2023 his name was quietly added to the diocese's list of those with substantiated allegations; the allegations were noted to have been received after Miller's death.

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Fr. Frank Nieset

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 03/7/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Parish priest, high school teacher. Name quietly added in 2/2023 to the diocese's list of those with substantiated allegations, received after Nieset's death. Nieset went on sick leave in 1982-1983. He went on leave of absence in 1994 and retired in 1995. Per his obituary, during retirement Nieset helped out in parishes in AZ and CA, returning to the Toledo area in 2004. He died in 2015.

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Toledo Blade Obituary 03.23.15
Toledo Blade 02.27.23

Fr. Alexander Pinter

Ordained: 1943
Status: Sued

Died: 11/15/1978
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

From Hungary. First assigned in the Toledo diocese in 1946, where he was incardinated in 1955. Accused of abuse 1956-1960 at St. Stephen's in Toledo. Sent to Canada for treatment and later assigned there. Became parish priest in Louisiana in 1974. Died in New Orleans 11/15/1978. Also worked in the Diocese of Oakland. Included on the Oakland diocese's list in 2019. Accused in a 1/2020 lawsuit filed under the CA Child Victims Act of abusing an altar boy in 1964 at St. Francis in Vista, CA. Included in 4/2020 on the Toledo diocese's list of credibly accused.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Joseph J. Pucci

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1941
Status: Settled

Died: 10/12/2000
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Worked in the Archdioceses of Seattle, Indianapolis and Newark, and the Dioceses of Trenton, Richmond, Youngstown, Toledo and Palm Beach. Accused by two women of molesting them when they were young teenagers in the 1950s. One woman came forward in 2002; Oblate representatives acknowledged the complaints. Per news in 6/2002, a man reported that Pucci molested him as a child in 1980 at a rectory in Palm Beach, FL. He told his family in 1993 and they reported it to Palm Beach Bishop Symons and to police. No record of complaint at either place. Pucci retired in 1994 and died in 2000 in West Palm Beach. (In 1998 Symons resigned after admitting that he abused a boy early in his priesthood; he later admitted to abusing four other boys.) Subject of settlement(s). Included on the Diocese of Richmond's list of those with allegations of abuse occurring in the diocese.

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Garabedian Law Assignment Record

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Fr. Samuel Punnoor

Ordained: 1996
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

From the diocese of Pathanamthitta, India. Placed on leave 5/22/2015 after the Toledo diocese received an allegation against him of child sexual abuse. Punnoor was visiting his native India when the report was made 5/6/2015; suspended upon his return to Ohio. Had been working in the Toledo diocese since 4/2011. Sent to back to his home diocese in 2015. Per Toledo, Punnoor abandoned ministry in 2016.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Herbert M. Richey, Jr.

Ordained: 1978
Status: Settled

Died: 07/21/2020
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Accused of abusing several youths. At least seven known victims in two parishes from the 1980s. Confidential settlements pre-1992. Forced from the priesthood in 1992 and laicized in 1997. Allegations substantiated. Later turned up working as a music director/organist in another Toledo parish. Banned in 2002. Found working in the Detroit area in 1/2011 as a church organist. Removed. Included on the Detroit archdiocese's 6/10/2019 list of credibly accused. Died 7/21/2020.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Gerald J. Robinson

Ordained: 1964
Status: Convicted

Died: 07/4/2014
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Placed on leave 2003 or 2004. Accused in 2003 of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl in 1978 at Mercy Hospital; his accuser claimed ritual abuse by several priests. Accused in 2005 of the ritual abuse of a girl in 1968-1975. Convicted 5/11/2006 of the ritual murder in 1980 of a nun at Mercy Hospital; sentenced to 15 years in prison. Case appealed. Ohio Supreme Court refused to hear appeal in 12/2008. A civil suit claiming abuse was dismissed in 1/2007 due to the statute of limitations. Court reinstated the suit in 10/2007. Dismissed again in 1/2010. Dismissal upheld 12/2010 and 4/2011. Believed to be terminally ill (debilitating heart attack) in prison as of 6/3/2014. Was seeking early release; denied 7/3/2014. Died in prison 7/4/2014. Was to be buried as a priest.

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BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Stephen G. Rogers

Ordained: 1995
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Religion teacher at Central Catholic High School. Placed on leave in 12/2002 after being caught with internet child pornography. Convicted in 2003 and sentenced to 21 months prison. Served 18 months. Diocese paid his salary while he was in prison. Teacher's certificate was been revoked as of 11/2006. Permanently removed from public ministry in 2006. Still a registered sex offender as of 1/2/2010. Not found in the registry in 11/2020.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. James H. Roth

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1995
Status: Accused

Died: 02/11/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

In 1/2015 a man reported to Roth's order sexual abuse multiple times by the priest when he was a 9- or 10-years-old, fourteen years prior. Roth was removed from position on a Toronto school board. Police informed. Roth died 2/11/2015 of suspected suicide; left a note admitting to the abuse. Was an O.S.F.S. brother for about 20 years prior to his 1995 ordination. Worked at St. Francis de Sales High School in Toledo OH 1976-1987, and 1995-2004 as a teacher, guidance counselor and administrator. Filled in at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception parish in Monroe MI. Also assigned to schools in UT and Ontario, Canada. Victim was younger brother of a St. Francis de Sales High student. Included on the Detroit archdiocese's list of credibly accused 6/10/2019.

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East Niagra Post obit 03.26.16

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Fr. Lawrence C. Scharf

Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Placed on leave in 3/2002 after allegations surfaced of sexual misconduct with a minor in 1976. It was later learned that a similar offense occurred in 1981. Scharf admitted the conduct and was placed in inpatient therapy. As of 2004 he was barred from ministry because of credible allegations. Dismissed from the clerical state per 4/2008 status report. Died in 1/2008.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Joseph M. Schmelzer

Ordained: 1977
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

In 2002 a man alleged that Schmelzer abused him as a teenager 1983-1985. He said Schmelzer began touching him when he was 16 and then molested him at age 19 after giving him alcohol. The man complained first in 1993; Schmelzer was counseled and moved. Civil suit filed in 2003. Schmelzer was permanently removed after the Review Board found the claims credible. Teaching certification revoked in 11/2006. Another allegation was reported in 2004, not revealed until 2007. In 11/2018 a man told news outlets that in 2005 he first reported to the diocese that, when he was age 13, Schmelzer fondled, drugged and raped him in the St. Wendelin rectory. He said he got no response. He told the diocese again in 2015. In 12/2017 the Review Board found his allegations "not substantiated."

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. George A. Schmit

Ordained: 1935
Status: Accused

Died: 08/7/1984
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list in 4/2020. Died 8/7/1984. Allegation(s) reported to the diocese after his death.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Toledo Blade 04.29.20

Fr. John C. Shiffler

Ordained: 1978
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

A lawsuit filed in 2002 alleged abuse of a boy by Shiffler in 1987 and by Rev. Dennis Gray 1983-1987. Their accuser complained to the diocese in 1995; Shiffler admitted to abusing him and another youth in the mid-1980s. He was sent for therapy and returned to limited duty as chaplain at a home for the aged in 7/1997 and as administrator of two parishes. Permanently removed from active ministry in 2006 because of credible allegations.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Deacon Glen Shrimplin

Ordained: 1974
Status: Settled

Died: 12/5/2017
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Deacon. Two men filed a civil suit in 10/2003 claiming abuse as boys by Shrimplin in the 1970s. Shrimplin said he left the active diaconate of his own accord in 1987. He denied the allegations. Late Bishop Hoffman acknowledged that Shrimplin was "removed from active diaconal ministry." A third man settled in 2004 and a fourth man filed a civil suit in 2/2008, claiming abuse on trip to Florida in 1975 or 1976. Laicized 11/30/2007. Civil suit dropped in 6/2008 due to the statute of limitations. Shrimplin died in 12/2017.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Robert Ronald Thomas

Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Placed on leave in 7/2002 due to an allegation of abuse of a minor in the Toledo diocese while assigned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help 1982-1984. Admitted the abuse, sent for therapy, reassigned to Holy Trinity in Bucyrus. Status in Toledo was Retired/Senior status in 1986. Moved to the Diocese of Tucson in 1986, where he was in active ministry. Permanently removed from public ministry in 2007. Died in 6/2018.

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Deacon J. Michael Tynan

Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Tynan, a 45-year-old ordained deacon, was two days away from becoming an ordained priest in 6/2004 when he was placed on leave after the Diocese learned that he was being investigated by US Customs for possession of child pornography. His name had appeared on a child porn web site based in a foreign country. The reason he was not ordained for priesthood was not announced until 10/2004, when he was criminally charged. Laicized in 2006. Sentenced to three years in prison. Included on the OH sex offender registry.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Lawrence F. Varney

Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

The Diocese announced in 10/2008 that Varney, who retired in 2002, had been placed on leave and barred from public ministry after the Review Board found credible recent allegations that he had engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor in the late 1970s. Varney was an instructor at Toledo Central Catholic High School at the time of the alleged abuse. He was permanently removed from public ministry in 2009. Matter referred to Rome.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Chester John Warren

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1957
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

"Chet." Accused of abusing more than 10 girls, in what Bishop Blair in 2005 called "grievously sinful and criminal acts." Ritual abuse alleged. Settlements exceed $1.2M. Expelled from order in 1993. Barred from a parish and school by court order in 8/2006 after families complained that he was showing up at all hours, sometimes in clerical garb, despite an agreement to attend at only certain hours. Laicized in 2007. Included on the Detroit archdiocese's list of credibly accused 6/10/2019, where he worked 1974-1978. Reportedly died in 2021.

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Fr. Leo Patrick Welch

Ordained: 1952
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Accused in a 2002 lawsuit of abuse of at least two boys 1959-1961, while assigned to Immaculate Conception in Bellevue. Said to have abused boys at his cabin with a pond in Bono, OH. One victim said Welch abused him when he was ages 12-14, and that when he was 15 he told the pastor. Welch reportedly was transferred after other victims came forward. Left active priesthood in 1965. Became a certified social worker in 1974. Admitted the abuse in 2002. Fired in 2002. Died in 1/2016.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Fr. Stanislaus Wojciechowski

Ordained: 1937
Status: Accused

Died: 11/5/1979
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list in 4/2020. Allegation(s) were reported to the diocese after Wojciechowski's death. He died 11/5/1979.

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Diocese of Toledo Assignments

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Toledo Blade 04.29.20

Fr. Robert J. Yeager

Ordained: 1962
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Reportedly in 2004, attorneys for the diocese reached a settlement with one person alleging abuse. Yeager continued as a major fund-raiser for the diocese. Not placed on leave until 5/2006 when the diocese's investigation was completed and allegations were deemed credible. At least one other alleged victim also came forward. Retired in 2005. Teaching certificate revoked in 11/2006. Permanently removed from public ministry.

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Fr. Michael J. Zacharias

Ordained: 2002
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Pastor of St. Michael's in Findlay when arrested 8/18/2020 by the FBI on multiple charges of sex trafficking. He allegedly "manipulated and coerced drug-addicted boys and men into sex." Per court records, Zacharias made a "confession video" in 2015 in which he performed oral sex on a then-adult victim. He admits to first meeting the victim when he was a seminarian and the boy was in 6th grade St. Catherine's in Toledo. The boy became drug-addicted as a teen, and Zacharias offered him money for sex to feed his habit. A second young man told the FBI he met Zacharias in first grade at St. Catherine's and that the priest began sexually abusing him as a teen, when he was drug-addicted. Zacharias was placed on leave by the Diocese. Convicted 5/12/2023 on charges related to three victims, all of whom he began grooming as young boys for "commercial sex acts." All three developed addictions to opiates; Zacharias waited for them to become destabilized enough to propose the commercial sex involvement for money to purchase drugs. One told his parish pastor of the abuse while in 8th grade in 1999-2000, who told the boy "it was all in your head." Sentenced in 11/2023 to life in prison.

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