Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV - BishopAccountability.org

20 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Carl E. Bauer

Ordained: 1963
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list in late 2018, Allegation in 2004 of incident(s) in 1969 or 1970. Educator. On school boards and taught at Wheeling Jesuit University. Spiritual director for the Christian Family Movement, Cursillo, Teens Encounter Christ, Engaged Encounter and Christ Renews His Parish. On Presbyteral Council, chair of Priests' Personnel and Continuing Education Committees. Bauer retired from active ministry in 2002 and moved to South Carolina, working in mission churches and helped out at others. Also, chaplain at a federal prison. He died 10/22/15.

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Fr. Eugene R. Bowski

Ordained: 1977
Status: Accused

Died: 12/8/2019
Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

M.S.s.A priest. Army captain. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Wheeling-Charleston diocese in 11/2018 for the alleged abuse of a child in 1982. The allegation was reported 3/25/1982; he was removed the same day from the diocese. Also worked in dioceses including Santa Fe and Gallup. Faculties withdrawn in the Gallup NM diocese in 2014 after he allegedly solicited an 18-year-old male for sex, whom he was said to have been grooming while he was a minor. Added to the Gallup diocese's list of credibly accused 12/10/2018. Included in 4/2019 on the Diocese of Santa Fe's list, where he worked 2002-2009. Died 12/18/2019.

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Fr. Lawrence D. Brown

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list in late 2018. Accusations in 2002 or 2003 of abuse of a minor in 1972. Also accused in 10/18 of abuse in 1982 or 1983. Brown's faculties were revoked in 6/85. He died 12/3/93.

Sources:

Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston List Updated 12.05.18

Fr. William Carr

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Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

Named publicly by the diocese as accused on its list in late 2018. Abuse of a minor 1950-56 reported in 2002. Carr retired 8/17/71 and died 12/19/84.

Sources:

Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston List Updated 12.05.18

Fr. Patrick Anthony Condron

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Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list in late 2018. Allegations 7/5/95 that Condron abuse a minor 1983-87. Faculties restricted 3/22/05, and suspended 1/19/06. Laicized in 2012.

Sources:

Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston List Updated 12.05.18

Fr. Victor A. Frobas

Ordained: 1966
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

Multiple complaints throughout ministry. Abused in Wheeling-Charleston in 1977; sent to House of Affirmation for treatment. Later assigned to St. Rose of Lima parish in Worcester diocese 1978-79. Reoffended. Said to have participated in sex ring. Convicted of child molestation in MO in 1988. Four-year sentence; served 25 months. Indicted on charges in MA. Died 7/11/93, before trial. Sued once in MA and twice in WV beginning in 1993-94. On Wheeling-Charleston list late 2018. On St. Louis list 7/26/19; noted to have been laicized. Lawsuit filed 5/15/20 claims abuse of a boy for three years, beginning when the boy was age 10 in 1980 and attending St. Paul's in Weirton, WV.

Br. Rogers (Charles) Hannan

Order: SVD
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

Professed vows for the Divine Word Missionaries in 1982. Worked in IL, NJ, IA, WV. Named publicly as accused on the Wheeling-Charleston dioceses' list in late 2018. Allegation reported to the Order 8/23/2012 of solicitation of a minor via computer in 2012. WV Department of Health and Human Resources notified 8/24/2012. Withdrew from the Order in 10/2012. Case sent to prosecutor's office in 2014. Convicted, sentenced to 2-10 years in jail in McDowell County, WV. Name included on the Order's list 4/18/2021. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, where he worked 1983-1986 and 2000-2001.

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Divine Word Missionaries Chicago Province Assignments

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Fr. Andrew F. Lukas

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Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list updated 5/21/19. Allegation received in 1/19 of abuse of a minor 1964-65. Lukas died 10/14/12.

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Intelligencer 05.26.19

Fr. Patrick J. MacSweeney

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Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list in late 2018. Noted to have had two accusations against him, in 3/10 of abuse in the 1960s, and 3/14/06 of abuse in 1961. First assignment in diocese in 1955. MacSweeney died 6/16/67.

Sources:

Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston List Updated 12.05.18

Fr. Perry Malacaman

Ordained: 1972
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

"Pericles." From the Archdiocese of Davao City, Philippines. Assigned to parishes in the Wheeling-Charleston diocese 1993-2009. Retired and living in Beckley WV when arrested in 7/2022, charged with "involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16, corruption of minors and indecent assault of a person younger than 16." The abuse allegedly occurred over a five-year period, beginning ten years previously. Malacaman's accuser, a family member, was age 19 in 7/2022 when he came forward to police, and said he was abused from ages 9-14. In 2022 Malacaman was 84. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 8/2023 to 3-6 years in prison.

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Fr. Charles E. McCallister

Ordained: 1971
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

A 19-year-old man filed civil suit in 2/08 against the diocese alleging abuse by McCallister for three years, beginning in 2003 when the accuser was 15. Complaint had been given to the diocese in 3/07; McCallister was placed on leave. Died 10/13/07. During his career, he held several high-ranking positions, including Vicar General. No church assignment 1991-2007. Another allegation made previously, with no action. Court dismissed suit 3/09 - matter "fully resolved." On diocese's list late 2018.

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Fr. Felix C. Owino

Order: AJ
Ordained: 1992
Status: Arrested

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

From Nairobi, Kenya. Arrested 7/8/10 in Fairfax, VA; charged with inappropriate touching of an 11-year-old girl. Diocese removed his faculties 7/9/10 and told Order. He had been serving as associate pastor at a Weirton parish. Had also taught at Wheeling Jesuit University for two years. Previously worked in NH and Reading, PA. Pled guilty 9/29/10. Sentenced 2/19/11 to 5 years prison with all but 9 months suspended. Already served 7 1/2 months awaiting trial. On Wheeling-Charleston diocese's list late 2018. It notes there was also an allegation 7/5/10 of inappropriate touching of an adult, and that he was deported back to Africa.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. David A. Pichette

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1967
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

On duty outside the [Syracuse] diocese per 1989 Catholic Directory. On 5/23/11, a man made public allegations that Pichette had fondled him on two occasions and made other sexual advances in 1981 when he was a teen volunteer at Nazareth Farm in WV. Pichette worked at Nazareth Farm 6/79-9/88. Accuser said he notified the Syracuse diocese in 2010. Diocese said Pichette's privileges were removed in 1993, that he was "formally removed" as a priest in 2005 and that the accuser told them in 2003. On Syracuse diocese's list 12/3/18. On Wheeling-Charleston diocese's list late 2018. It notes he left the diocese 9/88 and left the Syracuse diocese in 1994. Accused, along with two other priests, in a lawsuit filed in 6/20 under the NY Child Victims Act of abusing a Syracuse boy. The plaintiff claims he was a freshman at Seton Central Catholic High School in 1973 when Pichette began abusing him.

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Fr. Robert Poandl

Order: GHM
Ordained: 1968
Status: Convicted

Died: 01/15/2019
Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

Dioceses assigned to included Jackson, MS; New Orleans, LA; Atlanta, GA; Savannah, GA; Owensboro, KY; Tyler, TX; Tulsa, OK; Harrisburg, PA. Allegation to the Order in 6/2009 that Poandl sexually abused a boy, age 10, in 1991 during a trip from OH to WV. Removed in 6/2009 from the Savannah diocese; moved to the Order's Cincinnati house. Indicted 1/26/2010 on 3 counts of abuse of the boy, including rape. Pled not guilty 2/12/2010. Charges dismissed with prejudice 8/27/2010 for discovery violations. Reinstated in 9/2010. Removed in 2/2012 after a new allegation, of sexual misconduct in the 1980s. Third allegation in 8/2012. Indicted on federal charges in 11/2012 for abuse of the boy in 1991. Convicted 9/20/2013. Sentenced 2/12/2014 to 7.5 years prison. Lost appeal 8/31/2017. Included on the Harrisburg, PA diocese's 8/1/2018 list. On the Atlanta archdiocese's list 11/6/2018 and the Savannah diocese's list 11/8/2018. On the Wheeling-Charleston list in late 2018. On the Jackson diocese's list 3/19/2019. Included on the Tyler diocese's list in 4/2019. On New Orleans' list in 6/2019. On Glenmary's list 9/27/2019. Died 1/15/2019. On Tulsa list 10/2/2019. On Cincinnati's list in 1/2020. Added to Owensboro's list in 5/2022. Included in the 3/24/2023 GA PAC report.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. John Rice

Donate Photo

Ordained: 2003
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

West Virginia Catholic High School principal John Golebiewski reportedly filed three misconduct reports with allegations that Rice inappropriately touched students over a year, beginning in 2018. The principal was fired and, in 9/20, sued the diocese, claiming he was let go for reporting Rice and for firing a football coach. The diocese stated that the allegations against Rice were investigated and deemed by the Review Board to be not credible.

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Associated Press via SF Chronicle 09.18.20
WTAP 09.21.20

Fr. Robert J. Rooney

Donate Photo

Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list in late 2018. First assignment in 1954. Accusation 6/13/62 of abuse in 1962. Accused 4/27/10 of abuse 1965-67 in NJ while on leave from Wheeling-Charleston. Noted to have been investigated by NJ diocese and NJ Prosecutor's office. Died 7/16/94.

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Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston List Updated 12.05.18

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Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston List Updated 12.05.18

Fr. Francis Roscetti

Donate Photo

Order: OFM Cap
Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 09/5/1991
Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

Worked in PA, MD, WV. Named publicly as accused on the Wheeling-Charleston diocese's list in late 2018. Allegation received 5/7/2015 of abuse of a girl in WV 1967-1972, beginning when she was 15. Added to the Baltimore archdiocese's list 4/24/2019. Accused in 2013 of abuse of a second grade boy in MD in the mid-1980s. Assigned 1978-1989 to St. Ambrose in Cresaptown. Roscetti died in 1991. Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Paul J. Schwarten

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Ordained: 1943
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list in late 2018. Accused in 1951 of abuse same year. Accused 1960 of abuse of a minor in Nebraska; arrested, convicted, served 18 months in prison. 'Leave of Absence' 5/1/51 - 9/65. Returned to parish ministry. Leave of absence 12/65, back in ministry 2/67. Retired 6/24/87. Died 12/5/95.

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Dioceses of Wheeling-Charleston Updated List 12.05.18

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Dioceses of Wheeling-Charleston Updated List 12.05.18

Fr. Charles Tague

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Order: ST
Ordained: 1944
Status: Accused

Died: 06/3/2003
Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

Named publicly as accused on the Wheeling-Charleston diocese's list in late 2018. It notes an allegation received 2/12/86 of abuse between 1979 and 1985. Tague was assigned to St. Joan of Arc parish in Wheeling 7/64-9/85. He left the diocese 9/20/85 and died 6/3/03.

Sources:

Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston List Updated 12.05.18

Fr. Stanley Tuchalski

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1990
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list in late 2018. It notes a report received in 1/00 of inappropriate touching of a minor in 1998. Went on leave of absence to Catholic University where he remained until his faculties were suspended in 7/02.

Sources:

Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston List Updated 12.05.18

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