Diocese of Dallas TX - BishopAccountability.org

34 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Matthew Bagert

Ordained: 1997
Status: Convicted

Arrested 2005 on charges of possessing child porn on his computer. Trial set for 6/06. Charges dismissed just prior to trial after judge said evidence of the porn was obtained illegally by a deacon and another priest. Case referred to Feds for prosecution. Left priesthood and married. In 11/08 Bagert pled not guilty to federal indictment of child porn. In 4/09 he changed plea to guilty. Sentenced 12/1/09 to 4 years 3 months in prison. On diocese's list 1/31/19. Noted to be laicized.

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Dallas Diocese Priest Details

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Fr. Peter Barusseau

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Ordained: 1936
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

From France. Born in 1909. Named publicly as accused by the Dallas diocese in 7/19. Barusseau was a fill-in priest 1960-61 in Denton, Dallas and Shermon. The alleged abuse occurred in 1960. Deceased.

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Diocese of Dallas Priest Details

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Morning News 07.02.19

Fr. Thomas Behnke

Order: OCD
Ordained: 1949
Status: Settled

Died: 11/9/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Full name Richard Thomas Behnke. Accused of sexually abusing at least six boys in several dioceses, all beginning when the boys were in about the sixth grade. There were at least two formal complaints to religious authorities, one in 1959 and another in 1963. The abuse is said to have occurred in parish rectories and on trips. Behnke organized religious retreats for boys under the age of 15 to Mexico, Japan, Ireland, Greece, and France. A suit filed in 10/2002 by a Dallas-area man alleged Behnke abused him as a boy at St. Mary of Carmel in Oak Cliff 1978-1980; Behnke denied charges. Per 2003 news, he was living at the Servants of the Paraclete treatment facility in Jemez Springs, NM. The Dallas Diocese denied sending him there and the Order wouldn't comment. Five more plaintiffs joined the suit. Settled for $4.65M 10/2009. All but $500K of the settlement came from the Order. Also worked in OK. Died 11/9/2008. On the Dallas Diocese and San Antonio Archdiocese's lists 1/31/2019. Accused in 2017 of abuse of a San Antonio boy in the 1970s. On Oklahoma City Archdiocese's list 10/3/2019.

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Fr. Richard Thomas Brown

Ordained: 1980
Status: Arrested

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Accused of molesting a teenage girl in 1981. Police notified. Transferred to parishes without notice to pastors. Rumors of behavior with 7th-8th grade boys. Removed from active ministry 1993. Per diocese in 2002, Brown was living "as a hermit in a New York monastery." Allegation 10/18 of abuse of a girl in the 1980s. Accuser said she told diocese in 2004. Report not in pages of Brown's file initially turned over to detectives; some info in pages later turned over. Also revealed Brown admitted to touching two juveniles in DC and TX. On diocese's list 1/31/19. Noted to be absent on leave. Diocesan headquarters raided by Dallas police in 5/19 related to this case and four others. Found by detectives in Pecos, NM; admitted to sexually abusing up to 50 children. Arrested 1/29/20 at the Vianney Renewal Center in Dittmer, MO, on charges he molested a girl 7/5/89 in Irving, TX.

Fr. Alejandro Buitrago

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Ordained: 1967
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Removed in 2018. Named by diocese as credibly accused on its list 1/31/19. Noted to be retired with faculties suspended. Report 2/3/19 to police from a woman who said Buitrago abused her when she was ages 5-7. She said she contacted the diocesan chancellor in 2015, but did not hear back. Diocesan headquarters were raided by Dallas police in 5/19 related to Buitrago and four other cases.

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Diocese of Dallas Priest Details

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Fr. Peter J. Callery

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1972
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 10/19 of abuse of a Jesuit College Prep student in the early 1980s. The plaintiff also claimed abuse by former Jesuit Prep president Rev. Patrick Koch. Callery was the boy's teacher and wrestling coach. The abuse is said to have occurred in a hotel room during a team trip to a match. In 10/19 Callery was living and working at Manresa House of Retreats in Convent, LA. The Jesuits stated that Callery would be suspended from public ministry "until this matter is resolved." Another former Prep student joined a suit filed in in 8/19 against the school and diocese, alleging abuse there by Callory and Rev. Vincent Malatesta. It settled in 3/22.

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Fr. Robert R. Crisp

Ordained: 1975
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

In 4/10 Crisp told Sacred Heart in Rowlett parishioners via letter that the diocese had granted his request for a 6-month leave of absence. A week later the bishop told parishioners he had removed Crisp because several women, including 2 teens, complained of inappropriate and unwanted touching. Privileges removed. Pled no contest 3/11. Sentenced to 6 months deferred adjudication and $650 fine. In 7/14 it was learned that Bishop Farrell had reassigned Crisp to prison ministry. He may also have been ministering at St. Joseph Village, a retirement home, in Coppell, TX. On diocese's list 1/31/19. Noted to be retired with faculties suspended. Accused in a suit filed by multiple plaintiffs in 8/19 regarding multiple priests of abusing a boy in the 1980s at St. Pius X School. The suit settled in 3/22.

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Diocese of Dallas Priest Details

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Deacon Narciso Marquez Custodio

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Status: Convicted

Died: 06/30/2003
Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Custodio, a deacon at St. Paul the Apostle in Richardson, was arrested in 6/1984 and charged with aggravated sexual assault of an 11-year-old boy. Sentenced in 4/1985 to 8 years in jail. A civil suit was filed in 1986 against the parish, the Dallas Diocese, the San Antonio Archdiocese, and Custodio. It settled at some point.

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San Antonio Light 06.21.86

Fr. Paul Detzel

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Ordained: 1973
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 1/31/19. Removed in 1977. Laicized.

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Diocese of Dallas Priest Details

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Diocese of Dallas List 01.31.19

Fr. John B. Duesman

Ordained: 1939
Status: Accused

Died: 11/12/1984
Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Dallas on its list 1/31/2019. Retired in 1975. Died in 1984. Included on the Diocese of Tyler's list in 4/2019.

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Fr. Michael T. Flanagan

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Ordained: 1961
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Removed and retired in 1999 after accusations that he had been arrested on charges of public lewdness involving adults in 1993 and 1997. Suspended by Dallas diocese in 5/02 after an accusation of sexual misconduct involving a minor in the early 1980s. By 5/03, three to four men had alleged that they were abused as minors by Flanagan. One claim was settled out of court. Flanagan died in 2008. On diocese's list 1/31/19.

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Fr. Ricardo Reyes Mata

Ordained: 2022
Status: Charged

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Assigned to the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Dallas when arrested 5/7/2024, on charges that he inappropriately touched two young girls at a home in Garland several days prior. The alleged abuse occurred the previous month.

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Deacon Ronald Gonzalez

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Ordained: 1987
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Gonzales, ordained deacon for the Dallas diocese, was removed 8/13 without privileges from position in Phoenix diocese after allegations became known of past abuse in Texas and in Pennsylvania. He had worked at St. Thomas More in Glendale since 2003. He retired as supervisory chaplain with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 2011. While in Dallas, he was assigned to parish in Coppell, TX. Included on the Diocese of Phoenix list. Name included on Harrisburg diocese's list released 8/1/18.

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Fr. Timothy J. Heines

Ordained: 1994
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Per news in 1/19, a 33-year-old man said Heines sexually abused him as a minor. He met Heines when he was age 12, after his parents separated and his mother had him get involved in church. He said the priest bought him dinners, haircuts and expensive clothes during high school and got him to pose for sexually suggestive photos. Also, he said Heines massaged him with oil, touching his penis, and showed him porn. He said that after high school Heines sexually assaulted him. Heines' accuser reportedly went to the diocese in 2015 and was told he was a 'consenting adult', despite showing them photos Heines took of him when he was a minor. The diocese said in 1/19 that Heines had been removed from ministry and was in the process of being laicized. On diocese's list 1/31/19.

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Diocese of Dallas Priest Details

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Fr. William J. Hughes

Ordained: 1982
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Accused in a 1994 civil suit of molesting a 13-year-old girl 1983-84. Her parents found letters from him and told another priest. Hughes admitted his behavior. Transferred. Diocese destroyed the letters. Suit settled 1998 as part of of $5M settlement, which also included claims against Robert Peebles. Hughes left active priesthood in 1992. On diocese's list 1/31/19. Noted to have been removed 1989, and laicized. Dallas police raided diocesan headquarters in 5/19 related to the Hughes case and four others.

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Diocese of Dallas Priest Details

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Fr. Richard E. Johnson

Ordained: 1960
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Placed on leave 5/06 after allegations he abused an altar boy for several years in the 1980s. Diocese investigated, verified allegations and placed Johnson on permanent leave 6/06. Diocese admitted it knew of an allegation in 2001 but kept Johnson in ministry. Civil suit filed 5/07 by three men claiming Johnson abused them at various times between 1963 and 1984. One plaintiff withdrew but a fourth man joined the suit. All claims settled 9/09. Laicization requested. Death announced 9/13/16. On diocese's list 1/31/19.

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Fr. Rudolph Kos

Ordained: 1981
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Removed in 1992. Sued in 1993-94 by eleven victims. Abuse occurred before ordination, during priesthood, and while he was on leave from treatment at the Servants of the Paracletes facility in Jemez Springs, NM. $119M civil jury verdict for plaintiffs 7/97, reduced to $30.9M in 1998 after negotiated settlement. Convicted in 1998 of criminal abuse of four of the plaintiffs. Received three life and other sentences. Laicization announced 7/98. Several later lawsuits and claims also filed and settled. On Dallas diocese's list 1/31/19.

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Fr. Francis M. Landwermeyer

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Died: 09/5/2018
Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Central and Southern Province on its list 12/7/18. Accused of abuse in the 1960s and 1970s. First assignment was Jesuit College Prep in Dallas. Also worked in Shreveport LA, New Orleans, Tampa FL, Milwaukee WI, Biloxi MS, Charleston Heights SC, Saginaw MI, Columbia SC, and San Antonio TX. Removed from ministry in 2010. Died 9/5/18 in TX. On Charleston diocese's list 3/29/19. On Saginaw's list 4/10/19.

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Fr. William Lane

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Ordained: 1933
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Ordained for the Archdiocese of Port of Spain (Trinidad). Incardinated into the Diocese of Dallas in 1958. Died in 1968. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 6/4/19.

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Diocese of Dallas Priest Details

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Diocese of Dallas List 01.31.19

Fr. Justin Joseph Lucio

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Ordained: 1972
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Accused in 1989 of abuse of two immigrant youths in the late 1980s, and financial misconduct. Lucio denied the allegations. Removed from parish ministry by Bishop Grahmann and assigned, unsupervised, to Casita Maria, an organization whose mission was to help undocumented migrants. Bishop told Lucio to retire after the allegations were publicized in 2003, but he kept working. Died 11/06.

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Diocese of Dallas Priest Details

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Fr. Patrick J. Lynch

Ordained: 1959
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

The Dallas Diocese knew in 1966 that Lynch sexually abused a student at St. Pius X Church in Dallas. It settled with one victim in 1995; a third victim came forward in 1995. Lynch retired in 1995 due to allegations and moved to England. Other allegations in 1997; privileges removed. Died in 2014. Several settlements. On the Diocese's list 1/31/2019. Included in 4/2019 on the Diocese of Tyler's list.

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Fr. Vincent R. Malatesta

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1961
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Ordained for the Diocese of Paterson NJ in 1961, entered the Society of Jesus in 1979. Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Central and Southern Province on its list 12/7/2018. Allegation to the Order in 1999 that Malatesta sexually abused a Dallas Jesuit College Prep student in the 1980s. Malatesta had been admonished by the Superior for having a student pose nude for a sketching and for swimming nude with students. There were also concerns about Malatesta's relationships with young men, including those he was mentoring. Deemed by Order in 1999 to not be a risk, kept in ministry. Removed from ministry in 2002. Left the Jesuits in 2004. On the Diocese of Dallas list 1/31/2019. On 2/27/2020 the Central and Southern Province Jesuits moved Malatesta's name from the category of those with single allegations against them to those with multiple allegations. Accused in a suit filed by multiple plaintiffs in 8/2019 against Dallas Prep and the Diocese. Abuse alleged of at least two students in the 1980s. One said he reported his abuse to the school in 1981, and nothing was done. The other said he was abused by Malatesta the following year. The suit settled in 3/2022. On the Atlanta archdiocese's list in 11/2020. Included in the GA PAC Report 3/24/2023.

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Fr. Henry McGill

Ordained: 1941
Status: Settled

Died: 12/29/1996
Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Monsignor. From Ireland. Became a U.S. citizen in 1945. Arrived in TX in 1950. Worked in parishes in Ft. Worth, Irving, Denton, Prichard AL, Abiline and Dallas. Also assigned to Dunne Memorial Home for Boys. Died in 1996. Per news in 2005, McGill was accused in civil suits of the sexual abuse of minors. Settled. On diocese's list 1/31/2019. Accused in a 2/2023 lawsuit filed by two men of sexually abusing them as children at Dunne Memorial Home for Boys in the 1960s-early 1970s. The suit was filed against the Dallas diocese and the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, who staffed the facility. Both said a Sr. Mary Bridgette would take each boy to a basement room, give them a cup of alcohol, removed their clothes and leave them alone in the dark before the abuse by McGill. One said Sr. Mary Bridgette would wake him up at night to say he did something wrong and deserved to be punished before leading him to the basement. The suit also names a Mother Ann Catherine.

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Diocese of Dallas Priest Details

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Fr. Oscar Mora

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Ordained: 1998
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Suspended from ministry in 3/20 after an allegation of sexual abuse against him, occurring years prior while working in the Archdiocese of Villavicencio, Colombia. At the time of the allegation Mora had been working in the Diocese of Dallas for four years. Mora denied the allegation.

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Associated Press 04.27.20
Dallas Morning News 04.27.20

Fr. Jeremy Myers

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1984
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Ordained for the Benedictines. Became Dallas diocesan priest in 1996. Removed in 2018. In 10/18 the diocese reported to police an allegation that Myers abused a student in 1986 at Subiaco Catholic School in AR, when Myers was dean of the boy's dorm. The boy was expelled the next year and sent home to Dallas. Myers continued to sexually abuse the boy at the clergy house where he worked in Dallas. The headmaster at the boy's new Catholic school was told of the 'relationship' between the priest and the boy - Myers denied it. Per detectives, Myer's personnel file showed an allegation from a different victim, and no others. On diocese's list 1/31/19. Dallas police raided diocesan headquarters in 5/19, related to the Myers case and four others.

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Diocese of Dallas Priest Details

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Fr. Thomas J. Naughton

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Died: 08/6/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Working as a visiting priest in the Diocese of Orange in 2002 when placed on leave after allegations he molested a teen in 1978 while president of Jesuit Prep in Dallas. There since 1973; left "in a hurry" in 1979. The school's president in 2002 said he had recently learned of two allegations against Naughton made to school officials in 1979. Also tried to grope a young faculty member at the school. Allegations deemed credible. Had also worked at Jesuit High schools in New Orleans, LA; Tampa, FL; El Paso, TX; Houston, TX. Sent in 12/2003 to St. Ignatius Retreat House in Sandy Springs, GA, where he was allowed to reside under restrictions. Dismissed from the Jesuits in 2009. Died in Laguna Woods, CA in 2012. On Jesuit Central and Southern Provinces list 12/7/2018. (Noted to not be Bro. Thomas Naughton, SJ of Missouri Province.) On Baton Rouge diocese's list in early 2019. On Atlanta's list in 2019. Included in the 3/24/2023 GA PAC report.

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Fr. Emeh Nwaogu

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Ordained: 1977
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

From Nigeria. Admitted in 1999 to abuse of girl, age 12. Convicted. Sentenced to five years prison. Named in civil suit by his victim. Diocese previously ignored complaints that he had sexually harassed adult women. May have been paroled in 2003 and sent back to Nigeria. On Dallas diocese's list 1/31/19.

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Diocese of Dallas Priest Details

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Fr. Edmundo Paredes

Ordained: 1985
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Pastor of St. Cecila's in Oak Cliff for 27 years. Member of the Priest Personnel Board per the 2009 Catholic Directory. The Diocese announced in 8/2018 that Paredes was being investigated after allegations in 2/2018 that he had molested three teenage boys over 10 years prior. He was investigated in 2017 after allegations that he stole from the parish; he admitted to financial misconduct and was suspended in 6/2017. Fled at that time, possibly to his native Philippines. An arrest warrant was issued in 1/2019 after a fourth accuser surfaced. Included on the Diocese's list 1/31/2019. In 5/2019 Dallas police raided diocesan headquarters and other church properties; the raid was related to the Paredes case, and four others.

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Diocese of Dallas Priest Details

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Fr. Robert R. Peebles, Jr.

Ordained: 1977
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Accused in 9/3/93 suit of raping a 14-year-old boy in 1984 at Ft. Benning, GA. Peebles was an Army chaplain 1982-84. Settled 2/10/98 in 3 other cases. In 1984 Peebles confessed to the assault and resigned from the military in lieu of prosecution, and was reassigned to a parish by the Dallas diocese. Records show he sexually abused 15-20 boys before, during, and after chaplaincy, starting in 1979. Worked at 5 assignments, twice after the diocese had knowledge. Removed and retired 1986. Laicized 1989. Died 4/04. On diocese's list 1/31/19.

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Diocese of Dallas Priest Details

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Fr. William Richard

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Ordained: 1981
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Several boys at a Catholic high school in Dallas and a Plano church accused Richard of harassment in 1993. Their attorney provided Bishop Grahman with sworn statements. Grahmann reassigned Richard to a Rockwall parish in 1994 but the priest was never reported to police. He resigned from his parish in 2005 after a dispute involving a parish music minister who was on probation for indecent exposure.

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Fr. Kenneth J. Roberts

Ordained: 1966
Status: Settled

Died: 12/20/2018
Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

From England. Author of book "From Playboy to Priest." Well-known conservative multi-media evangelist. First assignment at St. Andrew's in Ft. Worth. Sent to a Dallas parish after the mother of two Ft. Worth boys reportedly told a Monsignor that Roberts abused her sons. Sent to MO treatment center in 1968; allowed to work there on a temporary basis until 1994. Also worked in the Belleville diocese. Lived at some point in the Jefferson City diocese. At one time was national head of Catholic Youth Organizations. Faculties suspended in 1998. Several civil suits filed naming St. Louis and Dallas and/or Belleville Dioceses. At least seven known victims. Some cases settled; one in Peoria. Died in 2018 in Cincinnati OH. On Dallas list 1/31/2019. On St. Louis archdiocese's list 7/26/2019. On Peoria's list by 1/2020. On the Belleville diocese's list 9/20/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Diocese of Dallas Priest Details

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Fr. Jose Mario Saldana

Ordained: 1978
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Accused of abusing a 15-year-old boy in the mid-1980s in Ferris, TX. The boy's mother suspected abuse at the time and told diocesan officials. The boy wouldn't cooperate, so no action. In 1998, the then young adult alleged victim came forward to the diocese. His brother said Saldana would show altar boys sexually explicit films in his rectory bedroom, while lying on his bed in a robe or underwear. Saldana left his parish in Bonham, saying he was going to a clinic for treatment of medical problems. The Diocese later admitted that he was in a treatment center for sexually abusive priests in St. Louis, but that he still retained all his priestly faculties. Worked the Dioceses of Dallas, Ft. Worth and Tyler. Was also a military chaplain. On the Dallas Diocese's list 1/31/2019. Laicization pending. Included in 4/2019 on the Tyler Diocese's list.

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Fr. Raymond John Scott

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Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 1/31/19. Worked in Wichita Falls, Dallas, Ennis, Terrell and Greenville parishes. Retired in 2000. Died in 2012.

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Diocese of Dallas Priest Details

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Diocese of Dallas List 01.31.19

Fr. Benjamin G. Smylie

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1985
Status: Settled

Died: 09/5/2004
Diocese: Diocese of Dallas TX

Named publicly as accused by the Dallas diocese on its list 1/31/2019. Taught at Jesuit College Prep for many years. Included on the Diocese of Tyler's list in 4/2019. Retired in 2002. Died in 2004. Added to the Jesuits Central and Southern Province list 2/27/2020. It notes that the allegations against Smylie were received after his death and that the abuse was said to have occurred in the 1980s. Accused in a lawsuit by multiple former Dallas Prep students, filed in 8/2019, of abuse of students in 1978 while a lay-teacher at Jesuit and in 1981 after taking his vows. The suit settled in 3/2022. While assigned as a teacher to Jesuit, Smylie reportedly also taught a course for other boys at his off campus apartment where they were plied with alcohol and sexually assaulted. One boy reportedly provided copies of a "demand letter" from 2002 requesting Smylie leave the priesthood. Per the lawsuit, when Smylie was Assistant Principal at Jesuit, he plied a boy with alcohol then sexually assaulted him on an overnight at Jesuit's Montserrat Retreat Center. Other documents reportedly show a suit had been filed and settled in East Texas in the 1990s.

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