23 Accused in This Diocese
- Catholic News Agency 11.25.20
- KOTA TV 10.02.18
- Rapid City Journal 10.03.18
- KFGO TV 11.07.18
- KOTA TV 11.09.18
- Associated Press 11.12.18
- Rapid City Journal 11.16.18
- Rapid City Journal 12.20.18
- Associated Press 12.21.18
- Rapid City Journal 01.22.19
- NBC News 02.05.19
- Diocese of Rapid City List 03.21.19
- New Indian Express 03.30.19
- Rapid City Journal 11.12.20
- Diocese of Rapid City List 03.21.19
- Diocese of Rapid City List 03.21.19
- Minnesota Public Radio (with documents) 11.11.13
- Minnesota Public Radio 11.11.13
- Star Tribune 11.11.13
- ValleyNewsLive 11.11.13
- SNAP Statement 11.11.13
- Open Letter from Archbishop Nienstedt 11.11.13
- SD SNAP Statement 11.11.13
- Pioneer Press 11.11.13
- SNAP Statement 11.12.13
- KARE 11.12.13
- Minnesota Public Radio 11.12.13
- Faribault County Register 11.12.13
- MinnPost 11.15.13
- SNAP Statement 11.18.13
- Star Tribune 12.02.13
- My Fox 9 12.04.13
- Catholic Spirit 12.05.13
- St. Paul & Minneapolis List of Credibly Accused Priests released 12.05.13
- Star Tribune 12.05.13
- Hastings Star Gazette 12.05.13
- Shakopee Valley News 12.05.13
- Le Center Leader 12.06.13
- Star Tribune 12.06.13
- Waseca County News 12.06.13
- Post Review 12.11.13
- Union-Bulletin 01.25.14
- Minnesota Public Radio 07.21.14
- Jeff Anderson & Associates 11.05.14
Fr. Cletus Adams
Member of T.O.R community in Hollidaysburg PA. Per PA Grand Jury Presentment 3/15/16, accused of molesting a little girl 1972-80 in Rapid City, SD. Bishop Dimmerling moved him to another parish due to the accusation and released him from diocese 1984. Adams worked in PA 1941-68, VA 1968-70, SD 1972-83. Returned to PA 1971-72, then 1984. In 1993 wanted to teach children piano lessons. T.O.R Provincial Giles Schinelli denied the request after reviewing Adams' file, writing "it is best he is now on our list of retired friars." Adams died 12/31/96. On Rapid City diocese's list in 3/19.
Fr. Francis Bell
Named publicly as accused by the Rapid CIty diocese on its list in 3/19. It notes the diocese received an allegation in 1993 of abuse 1965/67. Bell was a priest of the Diocese of Albany who worked in Glencross, SD 1965-67. He died 9/29/67.
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Fr. John J. Corry
From Ireland. Retired in 1992. Admitted in 2002 to sexually abusing a boy, ages 10-14, in the 1960s. The bishop forced him to move from the monastery where he had lived for ten years because it housed a child day-care center. A second person made similar allegations. Laicized in 2004. Died 7/11/18. Included on the Rapid City diocese's list in 3/19, which notes the diocese first received an allegation in 1970, and that the first reported abuse occurred in 1953, the last in 1979.
Fr. Bernard D. Fagan
Named publicly as accused on the Midwest Province Jesuits' list 12/17/18. Accused in a lawsuit of abuse at St. Francis Mission, where he worked 1954-76. Died 11/30/97. On the Rapid City diocese's list in 3/19.
Fr. Marcin Garbacz
From Poland. Chaplain and Catholic school teacher 2012-18. Convicted in 3/20 of stealing over $250K from parishes and sentenced in 11/20 to nearly 8 years in federal prison. Arrested at Seattle's airport in 2019, trying to flee to Poland. In 11/20, Marcin was also facing federal charges of child sexual abuse and child porn possession. Indicted. Allegedly had sexual contact with a male minor while traveling in a foreign country 2011, and had child abuse images on his thumb drive.
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Fr. Joseph C. Gill
Accused in 2003 by a man who said he was abused as a child by Gill and other Jesuit priests and brothers in the 1960s at St. Francis Indian School on the Rosebud Reservation. Gill was accused of beating boys and of talking "about Jesus Christ while his hand was down the kid's pants fondling him." He was principal 1961-72 and was still at the reservation in 2003. Died 12/9/12 at age 86. On Midwest Province Jesuits list 12/17/19. On Rapid City diocese's list in 3/19.
Fr. Thomas Gorman
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list in 3/19. It notes a single allegation of abuse in 1957/58, reported 8/24/11. Gorman died 3/24/87.
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Fr. Albert A. Janka
Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/18. Accused in a lawsuit of abuse at St. Francis Mission on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, where he worked 1969-86. Died 1/15/86. On the Rapid City diocese's list in 3/19.
Fr. William Lambert
Accused in 1991 by a man of sexual abuse for almost 20 years, including rape, beginning when the alleged victim was an altar boy, age 12. Lambert was said to have plied the boy with alcohol and given him money. Further, Lambert allegedly handcuffed and tied the boy with a rope the first time he raped him. The boy blamed himself and said Lambert made him confess to various priests after each incident, none of whom intervened. Lambert was sent to treatment, then put back in ministry. Suit filed in 1992. Jury awarded man $242K, to be paid by Lambert. Diocese later settled. A second man sued Lambert and won an out of court settlement. As of 2002, the original plaintiff said he knew of 23 other accusers. Lambert died 11/21/05. On diocese's list in 3/19. It notes first allegation received in 1991. Earliest known abuse 1958, last in 1984.
Fr. James M. McDonough
Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Western Province on its list 12/07/18. On Rapid City diocese's list in 3/19. Noted to have a single allegation against him. Worked in the diocese 1978-83. Died 12/19/06.
Fr. Thomas S. McShane
Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/19. On the Rapid City diocese's list in 3/19. Noted to have a single allegation against him. Worked at the St. Francis Mission on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in the 1950s, where abuse is said to have occurred. Died 10/16/18.
Fr. Michel Mulloy
Ordained for the Diocese of Sioux Falls. Incardinated into the Diocese of Rapid City in 1986. Accused in 9/2020 of the sexual abuse of a minor in the early 1980s in Faith, SD. In 6/2020 Mulloy had been appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Duluth and was to be ordained for that position in 10/2020. He resigned due to the allegation. In 3/2023 the diocese announced that its investigation had ended and the allegation could not be proven. Also, Mulloy was to "remain out of public ministry."
Fr. Donald Murray
Founder and director of Sky Ranch for ['delinquent'] Boys. Called "the flying padre," Murray would teach boys to fly an airplane as part of their 'therapy.' He would take boys with him on fundraising trips, provide alcohol and abuse them and other residents. Murray and one youth died in a 1975 plane crash. Murray was legally drunk and lost control of the plane, per FAA representative. Suit filed in 1995 by Rev. Tom Economus, President of LINKUP, and his brother, alleging Murray abused both at Sky Ranch in the 1970s. The suit alleged Sky Ranch officials knew of alcoholism and sexual abuse and told boys not to talk of it. Suit was settled in 8/97. More suits filed in 3/02 and 11/04. On diocese's list in 3/19.
Seminarian Eugene E. Parshall
Scholastic, never ordained. Entered the Jesuits in 1955. Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/18. Abuse alleged in 1964 at Holy Rosary Mission/Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Dismissed from the Order 5/7/64.
Fr. George M. Pieper
Died 1/26/98. Named publicly as accused on the Jesuits Central and Southern Province list 12/7/18. Multiple allegations after his death of abuse, occurring in the 1970s. Unclear as to where. Also on Midwest Province Jesuits list 12/17/18. On the Rapid City diocese's list in 3/19. Accused in a lawsuit of abuse at St. Francis Mission on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, where he worked 1950-57.
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Fr. John Praveen
From India. Full name John Praveen Kumar Itukulapat. Member of Order of the Apostolic Life Community of Priests in the Opus Spiritus Sancti (ALCP/OSS). Arrived in SD 11/17, assigned to Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. Transferred to Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rapid City summer 2018. Arrested in 10/18 on charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl 9/3 and 9/28/18. Pled not guilty in 11/18. Released on bond 12/20/18. Pled guilty 2/5/19 to one count in plea deal. Sentenced to six years in prison, less 178 days of time served. Eligible for parole after three years. On Rapid City diocese's list in 3/19. Laicized 3/26/20.
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Fr. Dennis R. Riss
In 5/02 Bishop announced he had removed Riss from his assignment at St. Mary's in Lemmon after Riss admitted that he had sexually abused a 17-year-old boy in the early 1980s, prior to entering the seminary. Review board had not yet evaluated the case as of 2/03. Laicize 5/7/04. Died 5/30/09. On diocese's list in 3/19. It notes multiple allegations, the first received by diocese in 1984. Reported abuse occurred 1980 and 1990.
Fr. James F. Sheehan
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list in 3/19. It notes a single allegation of abuse, occurring in 1977, reported to the diocese 11/12/04. Sheehan died 3/7/91.
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Fr. Gilbert Stack
Accused in 1992 of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy in Sturgis, SD 1951/1952. Stack denied the allegations. He had been living in retirement at Conception Abbey in MO for many years. Bishop said the allegations were credible. No criminal charges or litigation filed. Stack died 9/30/07. Name included on the Rapid City diocese's list in 3/19. On the Conception Abbey Benedictines' list of credibly accused 8/5/19, noting alleged incident(s) 1949-53, in South Dakota.
Fr. William F. Stolzman
Ordained for the Jesuits. Worked on Native American missions in SD 1973-88. Left the Order. Incardinated into the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese 1994. Investigated 1997 for possible child porn. Assessed at Vianney Hospital in PA. "Cleared." Report to archdiocese in 3/08 of abuse of a boy in the early to mid-1970s. Stolzman denied the accusation. Placed on leave. Retired. Case "closed" in 4/10; allowed ministry. File released as part of settlement in 1/15; case reopened. Again placed on leave. Had been involved in Correctional Ministries and at least one parish.
Fr. Francis Vallo
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list in 3/19. It notes multiple allegations of abuse received in 1992, of abuse in the late 1970s. Retired 1987. Died 3/9/92.
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Fr. Clarence J. Vavra
Per admission by Archbishop Nienstedt of St. Paul-Minneapolis on 11/11/13, Vavra admitted in 1995 that he sexually abused young boys and a teen in 1975 while assigned to Rosebud Indian Reservation in SD. Also admitted sex with adult men. Received in-patient and out-patient treatment 1996-97; allowed to return to ministry in 1998 until his removal in 2003. He received an extra stipend every month until 2012. No publicity at all until 11/13. Last known to be living in New Prague, MN. Included in 12/13 on the archdiocese's list of credibly accused.
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Fr. Kenneth T. Walleman
Accused in a 2003 civil suit of abuse of at least one student at St. Francis Mission, a Jesuit boarding school. Former administrator at the school. School's principal said Walleman had had a mental breakdown at another school and was sent to St. Francis, where he would have less stress. Walleman was at St. Francis Mission 1963-91 and 1992-97. Per the 2002 Official Catholic Directory, he was living in a Jesuit Community at St. Camillus in Wauwatosa, WI (Milwaukee archdiocese). Remained there until his death 9/15/14. On Jesuits Midwest list 12/17/18. On Rapid City diocese's list in 3/19 (it erroneously shows ordination year as 1940.)