Diocese of Burlington VT - BishopAccountability.org

46 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Robert J. Baffa

Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Died: 03/23/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 8/22/2019. Faculties withdrawn and retired 6/19/2002. Died 3/23/2013 in Norristown, PA.

Assignments:

Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. James E. Beauregard

Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Died: 07/28/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019. Retired on 1/11/2002 for health reasons. Faculties revoked 9/11/2003. Died 7/28/2015.

Assignments:

Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Conrad Bessette

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1973
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/2019. Worked in Barre, Springfield, St. Albans, Rutland, Burlington, Newport, Graniteville and Milton. Removed in 1990. Public faculties removed in 2004. Laicized in 2011. Included on the Diocese's list 8/22/2019.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Paul M. Bresnehan

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 07/23/2003
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Monsignor. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019 (misspelled Bresnahan). Retired 5/15/2002. Died 7/23/2003.

Assignments:

Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Donald A. Bruneau

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 06/2/1994
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019. Died 6/2/1994.

Assignments:

Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. James J. Campbell

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1942
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Ordained for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1942. Per the Burlington Diocese on its list of credibly accused in 8/2019, Campbell arrived in the Burlington diocese in 7/1962, was suspended in in 1965 and returned to his order. Left the priesthood, married in 1968. (The list shows Campbell as having been ordained for the Paracletes, which is contradicted by a news report in 1942, and the Official Catholic Directory. James J. not found in the Directories as in MN. He was, however, with his order in Essex NY prior to his arrival in VT.)

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Roger W. Carlin

Ordained: 1959
Status: Settled

Died: 01/16/1980
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly by attorney Mitchell Garabedian in 7/21 as accused in a lawsuit. Carlin allegedly sexually abused an altar boy, age 9, in 1966-67, at St. John Vianney Parish in South Burlington. He died 1/16/80, at age 50. The suit settled in 5/24.

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Fr. Robert E. Devoy

Ordained: 1903
Status: Accused

Died: 03/4/1955
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

From Quebec, Canada. Spent his entire priesthood in VT. Parish priest 1903-1935. Assigned to St. Joseph Orphanage 1935 until his death in 1955. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019. Died 3/4/1955. Allegation received by the Diocese in 1996.

Assignments:

Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. James Dunn

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Ordained: 1964
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named in a 2005 civil suit. Accused of abuse. Dunn was age 76 in 2006. It was believed the suit was still pending in 12/08. The 1966-69 volumes of the Official Catholic Directory (which reflect the years 1966-68), index James Dunn, s.P. (Servants of the Paraclete), and a James J. Dunn in the diocese during the same time period. James, s.P. first appears in the 1965 Directory, in Burlington. Both names disappear from the index after 1969.

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Fr. Joseph Dussault

Ordained: 1934
Status: Settled

Died: 12/11/1987
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Monsignor. A lawsuit settled in 1/2013 with claims that Dussault sexually abused an altar boy 1963-1967 while assigned in Derby Line, along the Canadian border. Dussault retired in 1978 and died 12/11/1987.

Assignments:

Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. John F. Eastman

Ordained: 1946
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Ordained for the Diocese of Burlington in 1946. Suspended in 8/1953, sent to Jemez Springs NM 1953-1955. Assigned to the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno CA 1955-1967. An appeal to return to Burlington was denied in 1989. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese of Burlington on its list 8/22/2019.

Assignments:

Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. James F. Foley

Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Died: 09/27/2002
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019. Retired in 1984. Died 11/27/2002.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Edward C. Foster

Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Died: 04/14/2000
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019. Allegedly sexually abused children at St. Joseph Orphanage, where he was assigned 1955-1958. Faculties revoked 5/11/1994. Retired 6/22/1994. Died 4/14/2000.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. William P. Gallagher

Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Died: 10/13/2003
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019. Placed on leave 5/22/2002, then resigned. Retired 6/19/2002. Died 10/13/2003.

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Fr. Edward J. Gelineau

Ordained: 1942
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Monsignor. Parish priest, Catholic Charities director 1957-1966. Retired in 1990. Died 6/18/2010, age 95. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019.

Assignments:

Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Bishop Louis E. Gelineau

Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Died: 11/7/2024
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Accused in 1997 of taking an 11- or 12-year-old boy at St. Joseph's Orphanage in Burlington VT off by himself and pulling the boy's fly down in 1951. When the boy fled, Gelineau allegedly pursued him and tried to drown him. At the time, Gelineau was a seminarian assigned to the orphanage, scene of much physical and sexual abuse. In a 1997 deposition, Gelineau stated that he remembered the boy at the orphanage. In his deposition, Gelineau also denies having any sexual contact with an altar boy in 1993. Retired in 6/1997. Died in 11/2024, age 96.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. John A. Guichard

Ordained: 1968
Status: Accused

Died: 05/15/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019. Retired in 1991, continued campus ministry work at St. Joseph's College in Rutland. Died 5/15/2007.

Assignments:

Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. John B. Kenney

Ordained: 1957
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

"Jack." Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese in on its list 8/22/2019. Accused in a 2006 lawsuit of sexually abusing a teenage boy while assigned to St. Joseph's Cathedral 1962-1965. Settled. Removed from ministry in 2006. Age 91 and living in West Glover in 8/2019.

Assignments:

Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. John A. Lanoue

Donate Photo

Order: SSE
Ordained: 1940
Status: Sued

Died: 06/16/1980
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as accused by the Edmundites on their list 8/7/19. It notes an allegation received in 1996, of abuse in Vermont in 1954. Taught history at St. Michael's College until 1975. Died 6/16/80. Suit filed in 1997, claiming that in 1955 Lanoue abused a boy who attended Holy Family Parish in Essex Junction. The boy's father allegedly confronted Lanoue in the presence of St. Michael's college president. Rev. Francis Moriarity, and Lanoue admitted the abuse.

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Fr. Michael K. Madden

Ordained: 1970
Status: Convicted

Died: 09/10/2000
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Faculties revoked in 4/1988. Resigned as pastor of St. Paul 's in Barton 7/12/1988. Convicted in 1989 for lewd conduct with a boy. Authorities knew of other victims over a 20-year period. Sentenced to probation for five years. Violated probation at least six times. Ended up serving two years in prison. Civil trial in 1994; ordered to pay victim $175K. A second suit was filed in 2003. Died 9/10/2000, while vacationing in Austria. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused 8/22/2019.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. James J. McShane

Ordained: 1966
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Boy Scouts chaplain 1967-1993. Diocesan Youth Director and Chaplain at Camp Holy Cross 1976-1982. In 1975 or 1976 counselors at Camp Holy Cross found 80 slides of naked boys in McShane's cabin. The camp director and two other men told then-Bishop John Marshall, who basically told them they were in the wrong for having been in the cabin. McShane was placed on leave 2002. Sued. Accused of abuse of several youths, including at least one at the camp. One suit settled for $120,000 in 2004. One was pending 2006. Included on the Diocese's list 8/22/19 list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Brian E. Mead

Ordained: 1969
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

First named publicly as accused in 10/2018 by a news outlet. Per church documents, in 2002 the Attorney General instructed the Diocese to give information about allegations 1950-2000. The Diocese produced 21 names. Mead reportedly could have been charged with multiple counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child, but the Diocese did not act and the statute of limitations expired. In 1996 a man told Bishop Angell that Mead sexually abused him for six years, beginning when he was age 11. Mead was kept in ministry. The man received a settlement with a confidentiality requirement. Mead was placed on leave in 5/2002, resigned in 1/2003. His faculties were revoked in 12/2004. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused 8/22/2019.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. John Milanese

Ordained: 1974
Status: Reinstated

Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Placed on leave in 5/02 after an allegation that he abused an 8-year-old boy in the mid-1980s. Alleged victim was in jail in 5/02. Milanese denied the accusations and passed a polygraph test. Vermont's AG declined to file criminal charges. Church investigated and returned Milanese to active ministry as of 10/28/02. Retired in 9/19.

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Fr. Walter D. Miller

Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Died: 01/12/2014
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Held prominent positions in the diocese, including Chancellor. Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/2019. Resigned and retired 12/17/2004, faculties revoked 1/7/2005. Died 1/2/2014.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Joseph Maxime Mooney

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1916
Status: Accused

Died: 12/31/1965
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019. Retired 3/9/1956. Died 12/31/1965 in Quebec, Canada.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. George O. Murtagh

Ordained: 1950
Status: Accused

Died: 12/7/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 10/18/2019. Parish priest. Resigned as pastor 10/4/1987, transferred to the Institute of Living and Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, CT 1987-1991. Faculties revoked 12/17/1992 by Bishop Angell. Died 12/7/2011 in Ocala, FL.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Stephen J. Nichols

Ordained: 1986
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

The Diocese received an allegation against Nichols in 2005, which it investigated internally over four months before reporting it to police. The Attorney General's office investigated. On 4/3/2006 Nichols was placed on leave. In 9/2006 he was charged with sexually molesting a teenage boy. Nichols claimed that the victim was the aggressor in the incident. He pleaded guilty 5/1/2007 and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years probation. He resigned as pastor 6/7/2007 and was laicized 1/23/2015. Included on the Diocese's 8/22/2019 list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Edward O. Paquette, Jr.

Ordained: 1957
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Ordained for the Diocese of Fall River; faculties removed in 1963. Serial abuser of boys. Sent to treatment in IN, worked in Fort Wayne-South Bend diocese. After 7 years, accepted into the Burlington diocese; sent to treatment in 1974 and 1978; faculties removed in 1978; per an internal memo, the Diocese could no longer could keep a lid on things. Allegations of abuse in MA, IN and VT, including of abuse of a hospitalized male teenage quadriplegic. The first VT suit settled for $965K in 4/2006. Named in a 3/2007 suit. A jury awarded $8.7M to one plaintiff in 5/2008. One suit settled in 7/2008. Another tried to mistrial in 8/2008. A third trial in 12/2008 awarded $3.6M. Laicization announced in 5/2009. A fourth trial in 10/2009 awarded $2.2M. In 5/2010, 23 of 28 cases were settled. Paquette was living in Westfield MA in the Springfield diocese at the time. Four more suits were filed in 2010. Eleven settled in 1/2013. Included on the Ft. Wayne-South Bend IN diocese's 9/18/2018 list. Suit filed in 8/2019. On the Burlington diocese's list 8/22/2019. On the Fall River diocese's list in 1/2021. Named in a lawsuit in 9/2024.

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Fr. George A. Paulin

Ordained: 1970
Status: Settled

Died: 07/25/2022
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Suspended and faculties revoked 5/25/2002. Sued. Accused of abuse of a teenage boy in the 1980s. Reported to the Burlington Diocese in 1987; no action. Resigned as pastor 1/1/2003; later found playing organ for two other churches. Settlement in 2003. Another suit was filed in 9/2004. The Diocese admitted in 8/2006 that it found 27 years' worth of files on Paulin, which the Church had previously said didn't exist. There was a settlement with a second plaintiff in 4/2007 for $135K. Another claim settled in 2008. Included on the Burlington diocese's list of credibly accused in 10/2019. Included in 2022 on the Diocese of Springfield MA's list, which notes more than one credible allegation, of abuse occurring 1968-1969. (Paulin is from Greenfield, MA.) Paulin died 7/25/2022.

Fr. Paul I. Plouffe

Donate Photo

Order: SSE
Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 08/22/2004
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly by the Edmundite order on its list 8/7/2019. Allegation received in 2006 of abuse in VT in 1946. Plouffe died 8/22/2004.

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Fr. Raymond C. Provost

Ordained: 1936
Status: Accused

Died: 08/13/1998
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019. It notes that Provost retired for health reasons 11/28/1975, and continued some parish work until about 1995. He died 8/13/1998. Allegation received in 2005. In 5/2025 a man stated at a hearing as part of the Diocese's bankruptcy case that when he was at a church camp at age 6, Provost invited him to the rectory for lunch and within a few days the priest raped him.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Daniel F. Roberts

Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 12/11/1981
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019. Allegation first received in 2002. In 1/2021 a woman told a news outlet that Roberts sexually assaulted her at age 10 in 1949, at St. Anthony's in White River Junction. She told her parents; her father called the police and the head of the parish. Roberts was transferred. He became a girls' school chaplain in Burlington, worked in a number of parishes and schools and as chaplain at a psychiatric facility for children in Brandon, VT. Retired 10/1/1980. Died 12/11/1981.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Soutiere Ronald A.

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Resigned as pastor of St. Ann's in 4/02, placed on administrative leave in 6/02. Faculties revoked 11/2/04.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19
Seven Days 09.11.19

Fr. Forrest W. Rouelle

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 03/25/1998
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Rouelle's name was mentioned in an 8/2008 trial against the Burlington Diocese and Fr. Edward Paquette. Former Vicar General Searles was questioned about Rouelle and other priests in connection with the Diocese's concern about sexual misconduct allegations. Rouelle retired in 1/1998 and died 3/25/1998. Included on the Diocese's 8/22/2019 list of credibly accused.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Emile W. Savary

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 06/8/1966
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Died 6/8/1966. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019, noting it first received an allegation against Savary of abuse in 1996.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Sister Claire

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Order: SP
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Accused of abuse of a girl at St. Joseph's Orphanage 1958-64. Deceased. Judge dismissed lawsuit in 1998, stating that the institution cannot be held responsible for acts without evidence that they knew.

Sources:

Associated Press 08.29.98

Fr. Ronald A. Soutiere

Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Died: 11/24/2023
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019. The list notes that Soutiere worked in the diocese 1974-1983 and 1999-2002. Resigned as pastor of St. Ann's in Milton in 4/2002. Placed on leave in 6/2002. Faculties revoked 11/2/2004. Died 11/24/2023.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. John A. Stankiewicz

Order: SSE
Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

Died: 01/12/2000
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Accusations "quietly" made public by the Edmundites on a list posted to its website around 9/19. Retired 1989. In 1992 two people reported to the order abuse in the 1950s by Stankiewicz. Allegations substantiated. The order paid for the victims' counseling. Stankiewicz was inducted in 1994 to the order's St. Michael's College Athletic Hall of Fame. Died 1/12/2000.

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Fr. Edward J. Stapleton

Donate Photo

Order: SSE
Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 07/14/1983
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as accused by the Edmundite order on its list 8/7/19. Allegation received in 2004 of abuse in VT in 1974. Stapleton died 7/14/83, age 63.

Sources:

Edmundite List 08.07.19

Fr. Richard E. Thompson

Ordained: 1968
Status: Accused

Died: 09/23/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019. News reports in 1981 show that Thompson was arrested after a teenage male reported to police that the priest abducted him behind a bar in Stowe, drove away with him then pulled over and began to rub his leg. He was charged with kidnapping, lewd and lascivious conduct, unlawful mischief and leaving the scene of an accident. Thompson was sent to treatment in MD. The charges were dropped due to inconsistencies in the alleged victim's statements. The young man had been in the car with Thompson, who had driven him from the bar. Another priest was also in the car and was "semi passed out" during the incident. Thompson continued in active ministry until his suspension 8/1/1984. He died 9/23/2006 in South Yarmouth, MA

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Charles A. Towne

Ordained: 1931
Status: Accused

Died: 02/15/1982
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Monsignor. Retired in 1972. Died 2/15/1982. Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Aime J. Trahan

Donate Photo

Order: SSE
Ordained: 1938
Status: Accused

Died: 08/14/1984
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Named publicly as accused by the Edmundite order on its list 8/7/19. Allegation received in 2004 of abuse of a minor in VT in the 1950s. Trahan died 8/14/84.

Sources:

Edmundite List 08.07.19

Fr. Raymond D. Walsh

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 08/22/2019
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Retired in 6/1998. Died 6/24/2019. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Donal D. Ward

Ordained: 1963
Status: Accused

Died: 02/20/2018
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Placed on leave in 5/2002 after being identified as an active priest with past allegations of the sexual abuse of a minor. In 9/2002 the Attorney General referred to one priest who "groomed" a young man until he was 17 (legal age), then began a sexual relationship with him. On 9/26/2002 Ward admitted in a statement to a consensual sexual liaison with a young adult male. He resigned from his parish but denied grooming, saying instead that the youth had been sexually active for several years before he began the relationship. Resigned and faculties revoked 10/4/2002. Died 2/20/2018. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused 8/22/2019.

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Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19

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Fr. Alfred Willis

Ordained: 1976
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

There were complaints from parishioners to Bishop Marshall in 1978 that Willis molested their sons. He was then transferred twice, and accused during both assignments. In 1980 he was placed on leave and sent to the Paracletes in NM for treatment. Tried to have his suspension lifted to transfer to Seattle - denied in 2/1982 and in 7/1983. Admission to the Diocese of Brooklyn was also denied. He was laicized in 1985. A lawsuit was filed in 2003, claiming abuse in the 1970s. One suit settled in 2004 for $170K. At least two suits were pending 4/2006. A new suit was filed in 3/2007. Willis previously settled with this plaintiff. A mistrial was declared in 6/2007. A new trial began 11/26/2007. Another case settled in 2/2008 for $170K. Willis appealed to the VT Supreme Court. A new trial was ordered in 10/2009. A new suit was filed in Fall 2010. One case settled in 1/2013. Willis is last believed to be living in VA. Another suit was filed in 12/2018 and settled the same month. Another was filed in 8/2019. Included on the Diocese's 8/22/2019 list of credibly accused.

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Fr. Benjamin D. Wysolmerski

Ordained: 1950
Status: Settled

Died: 10/11/1994
Diocese: Diocese of Burlington VT

Accused of the sexual abuse of at least two girls in the 1950s and 1970s. At least one claim settled for an undisclosed sum in 1997. A woman alleged he raped her in the 1960s when she was student and again in the 1970s when she was married. One plaintiff said she identified multiple other victims. Wysolmerski resigned 6/15/1993; his faculties were revoked 6/17/1993. He died 10/11/1994. Allegations against him were mentioned at an 8/2008 trial against Edward Paquette and the Diocese. Included on the Diocese's 8/22/2019 list of credibly accused.

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