Spiritans / Congregation of the Holy Spirit / Holy Ghost Fathers

24 Accused in This Religious Order

Fr. James F. Burke

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1952
Status: Sued

Died: 05/5/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Lake Charles LA

Assigned after ordination to to East Africa until 1959, then to parishes in LA, OH and AR. Was the Order's Director of Public Affairs in AZ and CO. Also assigned in San Antonio TX. Died in 2008. Accused in a lawsuit filed sometime between 2021 and 1/2026 of child sexual abuse, apparently while assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary in Lake Charles where he spent over eleven years.

Sources:

Fr. James C. Collery

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1948
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

From Ireland. First named publicly as accused by the New Orleans archdiocese on its list 11/2/2018. It notes an allegation received in 2013 of abuse in the early 1980s. Per the Official Catholic Directory, Collery was transferred in 1983 from Metarie LA to a chaplaincy at Good Samaritan Hospital in Pottsville PA. He died in 9/1987. A lawsuit filed in 4/2020 claims abuse in the early 1980s of a St. Ann's in Metarie altar boy, beginning when the boy was age 10. Per the plaintiff's attorneys, the Archdiocese knew in 1983 of an allegation that Collery had abused at least one boy. Multiple others reportedly came forward with allegations of sexual abuse as children by Collery after news of the 4/2020 lawsuit.

Sources:

Fr. Tim Crowley

Donate Photo

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1939
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Jackson MS

Possibly from Ireland, where a Timothy Crowley CSSp was ordained in 1939. First appears in the U.S. 1968 Official Catholic Directory. Moved through several MS dioceses, then to CA by 1972. Eventually disappears from the Directories. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese of Jackson on its list 3/19/2019. The Diocese received a report in 2018 of alleged abuse in 1968 in Chatawa. Deceased. Death notice not found.

Sources:

Fr. Daniel De Dominicis

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Died: 06/24/1996
Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

First named publicly as accused on the Diocese of San Bernardino's list 10/9/2018. The Order and Diocese learned of allegations in 8/1994, of abuse occurring 1975-1985. Assigned to Notre Dame High 1958-1968, Our Lady of the Valley in Hemet 1976-1978. Left the San Bernardino diocese in 1978. Died 6/24/1996.

Sources:

Diocese of San Bernardino list 10.09.18

Fr. Herman Francis Flynn

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1929
Status: Accused

Died: 04/13/1977
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Born in Canada. Worked in SC, MI and VA, then in the Diocese of San Diego 1963-1977. Included on list of priests with credible allegations released by the San Diego diocese 3/30/2007. Died 4/13/1977. Personnel file released 10/25/2010.

Sources:

Fr. Augustus “Gus” Griffin

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1955
Status: Sued

Died: 08/9/2010
Diocese: Diocese of Rockville Centre NY

From Ireland. Accused in civil suit filed summer, 2007 of sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy in the 1970s at St. Bernard's in Sunrise, FL. Accused in a suit filed in 8/2019 of abusing a 12-year-old altar server at St. Mary's in East Islip NY in 1968. Included on the St. Augustine diocese's list 11/6/2020 for abuse in 1969. Convicted in 1998 of abuse of boys in Ireland in 1976 and 1981-1983. On the Rockville Centre diocese's list in 3/2021 as Augustin Griffin OSF, for abuse alleged at St. Mary's in East Islip and St. Bernard in Levittown, no time-frame for the abuse shown. It does show that he was assigned 12/1985-6/18/1986 to St. Patrick's in Huntington and 6/18/86-unknown to St. Martin of Tours in Amityville. Died 8/9/2010 in Ireland.

Assignments:

Diocese of Rockville Centre List 03.18.21

Sources:

Fr. Stanislaus J. Grondziowski

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1940
Status: Accused

Died: 08/21/1994
Diocese: Diocese of Harrisburg PA

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Harrisburg on its list in 4/20. Died 8/21/94. Per his obituary, Grondziowski was assigned to Our Mother of Consolation in Mount Carmel 1941-55, and again 1966 until he retired in 1989. Also reportedly assigned 1955-66 to Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pittsburg. Noted to have been "involved in Scouting and youth work."

Sources:

Fr. Peter Kiarie

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1993
Status: Acquitted

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Visiting priest from Kenya. Kiarie (also spelled Kiare in some news reports) was arrested in 6/02 on charges of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy during an outing at a park. Kiarie was in New York on a speaking tour to raise money for Kenya churches. The boy told his mom Kiarie molested him; she told church officials, who told DA. In 8/02 Kiarie rejected a plea bargain that would have given him 90 days in jail, and demanded a trial. Jury found him not guilty in 4/03. Kiarie said he would return to Kenya immediately.

Sources:

Fr. William J. Malone

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of St. Augustine FL

From Ireland, where he was ordained in 1958 for the Holy Ghost Fathers. Worked in the Diocese of St. Augustine FL 1/1982 - 3/1992. Named publicly by the Diocese in 3/2019 as credibly accused of the sexual abuse of a minor in the early 1980s at Sacred Heart in Jacksonville. His accuser was a girl, age 11. Her parents met with Bishop Snyder in 1991 after learning of the abuse, which allegedly occurred during confession. Malone was moved to St. Elizabeth Seton in Palm Coast. Diocesan documents included in the FL Attorney General's report released in 11/2020 show that, since 1991, at least four women had reported to the Diocese abuse by Malone at Sacred Heart. One said she was age 15 in 1982 when the priest molested her weekly for six weeks during counseling sessions. Another young woman gave birth to Malone's child. The Diocese paid the mother $3K per year 1993- 2010 for child support. He went to live with his Order on Long Island, NY in 3/1992, then returned to its Ireland Province, where he died in 2003. Included on the St. Augustine diocese's list 11/6/2020.

Sources:

Irish Independent 03.03.58
News4Jax 03.21.19
Diocese of St Augustine Statement 03.22.19
Diocese of St Augustine List 11.06.20
News4Jax 02.04.21

Fr. James Andrew Marron

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1927
Status: Accused

Died: 11/17/1987
Diocese: Diocese of Saginaw MI

Named publicly as accused by the Saginaw diocese on its list 4/10/2019. Missionary in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania for forty years, beginning in 1928. Per his obituary, was working at age 65 as a hospital chaplain in Bay City, MI, was in Ferndale after two years, then returned to Bay City. Retired in 1986 to Bethel Park, PA. Died 11/17/1987. Noted to have been accused after his death.

Assignments:

Diocese of Saginaw Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Naos McCool

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1973
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

From Ireland. Spent time in New Orleans and Pittsburgh over the years. Assisted in the 1970s in the summers at Our Lady of Guadalupe and International Shrine of St. Jude in New Orleans, and as a New Orleans police chaplain. Returned often to preside at weddings through 2011. Assistant dean for students of the Duquesne University school of education in Pittsburgh 2001-2015. Chaplain for Vincentian Academy (High School) near Pittsburgh. Accused, along with three other men, of repeatedly sexually abusing a boy at an Irish Boarding school in the 1970s. Allegedly began abusing the boy, then age 14, who had come to him to report abuse by the others. McCool was the school's dean of studies. He reportedly would beat the boy with a wooden stick then sexually assault him. McCool's accuser received a settlement from the Spiritans in Ireland after coming forward in 2018. In 10/2023 McCool was living as a nursing home resident in Ireland.

Sources:

Fr. Joseph McHugh

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 09/25/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Lansing diocese on its list 9/27/2019. Member of the Spiritans' (Holy Ghost Fathers) Irish Province. Worked in Lansing 1974-1976. Multiple allegations. Died 9/25/2007. Included in the MI Attorney General's 12/16/2024 Diocese of Lansing Report, which reveals allegations by three different women of sexual abuse as children by McHugh. One reported in 2011 that McHugh abused her at age 11 or 12 at St. Gerard Parish, grabbing her, rubbing against her, and forcing her to perform oral sex on him. The woman received a $35K settlement. In 10/2018 a woman alleged that McHugh abused her, including rape, 1975-1978, beginning when she was age 16. She said the abuse occurred at St. Gerard's, at St. Mary Cathedral, in her home, at a cottage, and in a car. In 10/2019 a woman told the Diocese that McHugh touched and kissed her 1968-1973, when she was ages 13-18.

Sources:

Fr. Anthony McKay

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Little Rock AR

First named publicly as accused on the Little Rock diocese's 9/10/2018 list. Worked in AR 1991-2001. Dismissed from the priesthood in 2004. Died in 2015. Ten victims, none known in AR.

Sources:

Diocese of Little Rock list 09.10.18

Fr. Vincent A. O’Connell

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1939
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Fresno CA

From Ireland. Worked in Nigeria. Visiting priest in Fresno between assignments in 1970. Assigned to St. Anthony of Padua in Fresno. Accused in a 2013 civil suit of manually raping a 16-year-old girl. Her father died suddenly and O'Connell spent a lot of time with her family before allegedly raping her. Reportedly living in 2013 in a home for the Holy Ghost Fathers in Dublin, Ireland. In 2012, the same woman filed a separate suit against the Archdiocese of San Francisco for not doing anything when told of the abuse in 2003.

Sources:

Fresno Bee 05.08.13
The Journal (Ireland) 05.14.13

Fr. Charles P. O’Donoghue

Order: CSSp
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

A 7/2009 civil suit claimed abuse of a 7-year-old girl and her 8-year-old brother by a John O'Donoghue at St. Catharine's in Spring Lake during 1972-1974. Per the Diocese, Rev. Charles O'Donoghue was assigned there 1969-1974; there were no records of "John." The Diocese had been informed of abuse by Charles O'Donoghue in 2002. Another letter received 7/10/2009 named John. A member of an Irish religious order, Charles O'Donoghue returned to Ireland in 1975 and is believed to have died in 1986.

Sources:

Fr. Louis G. Perreault

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1962
Status: Sued

Died: 05/15/2020
Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Worked in Phoenix, AZ (HS teacher 1963-1971); Lake Charles, LA (parish priest/pastor); Hemet CA (parish priest/pastor 1986-2000); and Henderson NV (hospital chaplain 2000-2008). First named publicly as accused on the San Bernardino diocese's list 11/17/2018. It notes the Diocese was made aware in 9/2011 of alleged abuse occurring 1990-1992, while assigned to Our Lady of the Valley in Hemet. Reported to police in 9/2011. Perrault was at that time retired without faculties in San Bernardino. Included on the Lake Charles LA list 4/11/2019 (spelled Perrault). A lawsuit was filed 12/2019 under the CA Child Victims Act claiming abuse of a boy, ages 13-15, in the early 1990s. Perreault died 5/15/2020. Per his obituary, Perreault moved in 2012 to the Spiritans' Libermann Hall in Bethel Park PA, serving as Superior from 2015.

Sources:

Fr. Francis M. Philben

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Died: 01/20/1994
Diocese: Diocese of Richmond VA

Named publicly as accused by the Richmond diocese on its list 2/13/19. Born 7/17/1918. Died 1/20/1994.

Sources:

Diocese of Richmond List 02.13.19

Fr. Gerard T. Ryan

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 11/4/2019
Diocese: Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau AK

From Ireland where he was ordained for the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost Fathers.) Named publicly as credibly accused by the Archdiocese of Anchorage on its list 1/16/2020. Assigned to parishes in the archdiocese 1971-1989. Reportedly was assigned previously to a parish in Baton Rouge LA and, prior to that, in Nigeria for 12 years. Assigned in Australia at some point. Accused of sexual misconduct with minors 1971-1972. Died in Ireland 11/4/2019.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Anchorage List 01.16.20

Sources:

Fr. Herbert F. Schuster

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1943
Status: Sued

Died: 09/12/1970
Diocese: Diocese of Lake Charles LA

Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Lake Charles from 1960 until his death in 1970. Accused in a lawsuit filed sometime between 2021 and 1/2026. Allegedly sexually abused an altar boy, beginning in 1966 when the boy was age 13.

Sources:

Fr. Joseph Sheehan

Donate Photo

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Named publicly as accused by the Monterey Diocese on its list 1/2/2019, which notes a report in 1992 of abuse 1971-1975. Deceased.

Sources:

Fr. “Donn” Shelly

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Died: 08/25/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Cheyenne WY

Given name Denis Michael Shelly. From the Spiritans' Irish Province, Dublin. Worked for 1950-1967 in Biafra, prior to arriving in Cheyenne. Named publicly as accused by the the Cheyenne diocese on its list updated 11/8/2019. Allegedly abused an adolescent girl 1969-1970. Assigned to Our Lady of Fatima in Casper and St. Mary's Cathedral in Cheyenne. Died in Ireland in 2007.

Assignments:

Diocese of Cheyenne List updated 11.08.19

Sources:

Fr. Edward M. Smith

Order: CSSp
Status: Settled

Died: 09/6/1958
Diocese: Diocese of Pittsburgh PA

A woman sued the diocese and both current and former bishops in 2004 alleging that she was abused at age 16 by Smith when she went to him for counseling at Sacred Heart in Emsworth. Smith was pastor of the parish from 1950 until his death in 1958. Claims included in Diocese's 9/2007 $1.25M settlement with 32 plaintiffs alleging abuse by 17 priests. Included in the 8/14/2018 PA Grand Jury Report (middle initial erroneously P).

Assignments:

PA Grand Jury Report Profile 08.14.18

Sources:

Fr. Robert E. Spangenberg

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Died: 12/23/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Pittsburgh PA

Worked in PA, MI, NC, IL, FL. First named publicly as accused in the 8/14/2018 PA Grand Jury Report. Retired in 2003. Died 12/23/2006. Allegations of abuse of at least two minors in Pittsburgh. The diocese was contacted in 1988 by a woman who said her son had been abused by Spangenberg. The Spiritans moved Spangenberg to FL in 1989 due to the allegations. Kept in ministry. In 2009 a man reported that when he was a 15- to 16-year-old runaway and involved in prostitution, he had many "sexual encounters" with Spangenberg. He said the priest paid him to bring him other "young hustlers" for sex. He said Spangenberg liked to sniff glue whiIe orally copulating the boy, and that he was a "really sick guy - he would have person urinate and defecate on him." Included on the Raleigh diocese's list in 10/2018. On the Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/2019. Name included in 10/2022 on the Chicago archdiocese's list of credibly accused. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Freddy Washington

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1992
Status: Case Dismissed

Diocese: Diocese of Charleston SC

Assigned in the Archdioceses of Cincinnati, Chicago, and New York. Prior to ordination, worked as a deacon in Tanzania. Pastor of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Harlem in the NY archdiocese when arrested in 6/2017 for sexual abuse in 1982-1984 of two boys, ages 10 and 11-14, at St. Patrick's church in Charleston. Washington was a lay person and volunteer in his early 20s at the time of the alleged abuse. The boys were in training to be altar servers. The abuse was said to have included fondling and oral copulation. The Charleston diocese learned of the allegations in 2/2016 and contacted the Rockville Centre diocese. The Charleston diocese contacted Charleston police in 9/2016. The criminal case was dismissed in 2018. Listed on Xavier University in New Orleans' website in 6/2017 as associate professor of pastoral theology. Included in 10/2022 on the Chicago Archdiocese's list of credibly accused; had been pastor of two Chicago parishes. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. Washington's order, the Spiritans, contended in 2025 that the allegations were unsubstantiated. However, the order said that Washington was under constant monitoring and did not have unsupervised accessed to minors. He was living at a Spiritans retirement home in Bethel Park, PA.

Assignments:

Multicultural Diversity of Diocese of Rockville Center

Spiritans / Congregation of the Holy Spirit / Holy Ghost Fathers – CSSp

24 Accused in This Religious Order

Sources:

Sources:

Sources:

Sources:

Sources:

Assignments:

Sources:

Sources:

Sources:

Sources:

Assignments:

Sources:

Sources:

Sources:

Sources:

Sources:

Sources:

Sources:

Sources:

Assignments:

Sources:

Sources:

Sources:

Assignments:

Sources:

Assignments:

Sources:

Assignments:

Sources:

Assignments:

Sources: