Des Moines Register
July 8, 2004

Iowa's four dioceses might wait years for the Vatican's decision on their recommendations that several Iowa priests be defrocked for sexual abuse allegations.

DES MOINES DIOCESE: 3 priests -Albert Wilwerding, 73; John Ryan, 79; and Richard Wagner, 68. All have agreed not to contest the action.

DAVENPORT DIOCESE: 5 priests - Francis Bass, 82; James Janssen, 82; Frank Martinez Jr., 55; William F. Wiebler, 76; and Richard Poster, 39. In court records, all have denied the accusations against them.

SIOUX CITY DIOCESE: 2 priests, whom diocesan officials will not name publicly.

DUBUQUE ARCHDIOCESE: Church officials won't say how many priests have been recommended for defrocking. In December, the archdiocese reported allegations of sexual misconduct against 26 unnamed priests, eight of whom are living. Of those eight, the diocese said one was "dismissed from the clerical state," five are of advanced age, one served prison time and is on parole, and one was removed from all pastoral duties.