Carmelite Fathers and Brothers – OCarm - BishopAccountability.org

34 Accused in This Religious Order

Fr. Hugh James Austin

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1932
Status: Accused

Died: 12/27/1966
Diocese: Archdiocese of Chicago IL

Worked in IL, NJ, PA, KS, Ontario Canada. Died in 1966. Included on the Carmelite's list of accused in 2020, as James (Hugh) Austin. (The Official Catholic Directory lists him as Hugh J.). Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, noting at least one "reported survivor."

Assignments:

Carmelites Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Robert Boley

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1975
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Worked in IL, NJ, Ontario CA, KY, CA, WDC, WI, PA and MA. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 2006 in L.A. of "accosting" a young girl at a parish in the early 1980s. At the time the suit was filed, Boley was working as parochial vicar in Darien, IL. He left the assignment in 10/2006 and moved to a Carmelite house in Joliet under a "safety plan." Case included in massive 7/2007 $660M settlement by L.A. Archdiocese with 508 plaintiffs. Added 11/22/2020 to the Diocese of Joliet's list of accused. Allegations in a lawsuit of repeatedly sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl, including rape, in the 1980s at St. Cyril's Parish School in Chicago. Settled in 6/2022. Boley was the girl's teacher; the abuse would allegedly occur when he would make her stay inside during recess under the guise of helping her with her math homework. Boley's accuser said that she likely wasn't the only child he abused because he had someone stay in for recess every day. Included on the Chicago archdiocese's list in 10/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

IL Attorney General’s Report Assignments

Sources:

Fr. George Boxelaar

Order: OCarm
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

From Holland. In U.S. at Carmelite Priory in Mantzville PA 1954-56, then Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish in Middletown NY and area mission parishes 1956-57, and again 1962-85. Complaint to order of sex abuse of 7-year-old altar boy in 1973. Parents did not press charges when they learned their son would have to testify. Other families said Boxelaar molested their preadolescent sons, but wanted to keep it quiet. More complaints to order in the 1980s. Quietly sent back to Holland in 1985. Died in 1990. After news in 2002 of accusations against Boxelaar, at least 25 more men surfaced, saying they, too, were molested by the priest as little boys. The order acknowledged having received 1 complaint in the 1970s and 5 in the 1980s. Three lawsuits in 2019 claimed abuse of altar boys in 1970s and '80s. Suit in 7/20 by 8 men; all said Boxelaar told them the abuse was normal and "in keeping with Dutch customs."

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. James Boyce

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1977
Status: Accused

Died: 02/21/2010
Diocese: Diocese of Joliet IL

Named publicly as accused by the Carmelite Order, Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, on its list in 11/2020. Spent his priesthood in DC, NJ, NY. Well-known scholar and musician. Died in 2010. No information as to when or where the abuse occurred. (Placing him for now in the Joliet diocese, where the Province is located.)

Assignments:

Carmelites Assignments

Sources:

Fr. Leonard W. Broughan

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 12/24/1998
Diocese: Archdiocese of Philadelphia PA

Ordained for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Joined the Carmelite order in 1984. Accused of abuse of two youths. Archdiocese notified in 1993 and 1995. Assigned as a Carmelite in NJ and Niagara Falls, Ontario. Died in 1998.

Assignments:

Sources:

Br. Bernard (Lawrence Maria) Brown

Donate Photo

Order: OCarm
Status: Settled

Died: 02/28/1980
Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Accused of abusing a minor 1955-1956. Died in 1980. Sued. At least one claim included in the 11/2006 $10M settlement with the Carmelites, the Los Angeles Archdiocese and 7 people alleging abuse by 5 priests and religious. Included on the Carmelites' list 11/22/2020.

Assignments:

Sources:

Br. Damien Chong

Order: OCarm
Status: Settled

Died: 10/21/2014
Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Name quietly added, along with 23 others, to the Los Angeles archdiocese's Final Addendum posted on its website 1/31/2013. Accused in lawsuit settled in 3/2015 of abusing a boy at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino CA, 1984-1986. Plaintiff said Chong would sexually abuse him after football practice in Chong's living quarters, sometimes plying him with alcohol. Also worked in the dioceses and archdioceses of Cleveland, Washington DC, Chicago. He was assigned 1997-2014 to a Carmelite Chapel at a Boston area mall. Died 10/21/2014. Included on the Carmelites' list 11/22/202. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Joseph (Mark) Ciganovich

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1966
Status: Guilty plea

Died: 01/13/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Evansville IN

Arrested in a nationwide child pornography sting in 5/1996. Removed from public ministry and placed under supervision by his Order. Had been a moral theology professor at St. Meinrad School of Theology for 17 years before resigning in 8/1996. Pleaded guilty in 12/1996 to a federal charge of receiving child pornography in the mail. Sentenced to one year and one day in a federal penitentiary, a $3000 fine, and two years' supervised release. Name appears on the Carmelites' 11/22/2020 list of accused. Separated from the Order in 1996. From 1997-2011 he had no ministry, chose exclaustration and was a Federal Facility Prisoner in KY. He died 1/13/2011. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which shows at least one "reported survivor," of abuse.

Assignments:

Carmelites Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. David Connell

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1969
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Allentown PA

Named publicly as accused in the 8/14/18 PA Grand Jury Report. Report to diocese 5/76 Connell made a sexual advance on a male high school student. In 10/07 a man told the Carmelites that when he was a Nativity High student, Connell abused him at least twice. He said he and his brother, whom he said was also abused, were living at the Order's priory after their house burned down, and that Connell drugged him and he woke up with a bleeding rectum. He said he told Bro. Timothy Johnson who then beat him, warning that he would beat him worse if he told police. The man said he had also been sexually abused in sixth grade in the 1970s by a basketball coach, Jim Gross, at St. Patrick's in Pottsville. Connell reportedly left the Order and became a diocesan priest in San Antonio TX in 1976. He worked at Antonian College Prep until 1988 as teacher, vice-principal, principal. Pastored St. Thomas More parish. Died in 1995. Two San Antonio accusers came forward after publicity in 2018. On San Antonio's list 1/31/19.

Sources:

Br. Daniel (William Kevin) O’Brien

Donate Photo

Order: OCarm
Status: Accused

Died: 10/12/2005
Diocese: Diocese of Joliet IL

Member of the Carmelite order 1953-2005. Died in 2005. Assigned in OH, PA, IL, Ontario Canada, PA, NY. Named publicly as accused on the Carmelites list 11/22/2020. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes at least one "reported survivor." (No information as to when or where abuse occurred; placing O'Brien in the Diocese of Joliet, where the Province is based.)

Assignments:

Carmelites Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Leonard (Jeffrey) Fairfield

Donate Photo

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1946
Status: Accused

Died: 11/28/2005
Diocese: Diocese of Joliet IL

Worked and/or lived in Ontario Canada, PA, WDC, MA, Lima Peru, TX, IL, FL, NY, CA, VA. Died in 2005. Named publicly as accused by the Carmelite order on its list 11/22/2020. (Location of abuse not noted - placing Fairfield for now in the Diocese of Joliet, where the Province is located.)

Assignments:

Carmelites Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. William Finn

Donate Photo

Order: OCarm
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Name quietly added, along with 23 others, to the Los Angeles archdiocese's Final Addendum posted on its website 1/31/2013.

Sources:

Fr. Leonard J. Gilman

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1998
Status: Accused

Died: 06/1/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Joliet IL

Late vocation. Prior to entering the Order in 1994, he worked with youth as a probation officer, then had a career in marketing and became a vice president at Lockheed Corporation. Worked and/or studied as a Carmelite in WDC, NJ, IL, Ontario Canada, IL, MA. Parish priest and pastor, Vice President at Joliet Catholic Academy, Eastern Commissariat of the Province Director of Vocations, then Provincial. Died by suicide in his rectory in 2015. Named publicly as accused on the Carmelites list 11/22/2020. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes at least one "reported survivor." (No information as to where the abuse occurred; placing Gilman in the Joliet diocese for now, where the Province is located.)

Assignments:

Carmelites Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. William (Patrick) Gleeson

Donate Photo

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 11/9/2000
Diocese: Diocese of Joliet IL

Worked in IL, NJ, TX, DC, MA, PA, and Ontario Canada. Died in 2000. Named publicly as accused by the Order on its list of accused 11/22/2020. (Location of abuse not noted - placing Gleeson in the Diocese of Joliet, where the Province is located.) Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Carmelites Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. John (Gregory) Knoernschild

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1970
Status: Settled

Died: 11/14/2010
Diocese: Diocese of Orange CA

Accused by a former Crespi Carmelite High School student of sexually abusing him in 1977-1978. Knoernschild was in the L.A. archdiocese before Orange was established in 1976. Left the archdiocese in 1996, returned in 1998, and left again in 2001. At least one claim against Knoernschild was included in a $10M settlement with the Order and L.A. Archdiocese in 10/2006. Died 11/14/2010. Included on the Carmelites list of accused 11/22/2020. Added in 1/2021 to the Diocese of Joliet's list, where he was assigned 1970-1974 to Joliet Catholic High School. Included in the IL Attorney General's 5/23/2023 report, which notes two "reported survivors."

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Robert (Barry) Kremer

Donate Photo

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1946
Status: Accused

Died: 03/18/2004
Diocese: Diocese of Joliet IL

Worked in Ontario Canada, PA, DC, MA, IL, TX, KY, CA, FL. Died in 2004. Named publicly as accused by the Order on its list 11/22/2020. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes at least one "reported survivor." Location of abuse unknown. (Placing him in the Joliet diocese, where the Province is based.)

Assignments:

Carmelites Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Adrian D. Lickteig

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1932
Status: Accused

Died: 08/19/1968
Diocese: Archdiocese of Kansas City KS

Also known as Peter Lickteig. Named publicly as accused by the Kansas City KS archdiocese on its list 1/25/2019. It notes one allegation of abuse, occurring in 1959. He died in 1968, at age 68. Name included in 10/2022 on the Chicago archdiocese's list of credibly accused. Included in the 4/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Carmelites Assignments

Sources:

Fr. Franz Bernard Lickteig

Donate Photo

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 05/26/1996
Diocese: Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston TX

"Bernard" or "Bernie." Assigned in TX, IL, Rome Italy, PA, DC. Named publicly as accused by the Carmelite Order on its list 11/22/2020. On the Galveston-Houston archdiocese's list 6/18/2021, where he was assigned 1962-1967. Separated from the Carmelites in 9/1977. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. Worked at Joliet Catholic High School 1967-1970 and at St. Joseph Priory in Barrington IL 1976-1977. Laicized. Died in 1996.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Kevin McBrien

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Joliet IL

Also known as Dennis Kevin McBrien. Removed from position at St. Matthew's In Glendale Heights in 5/2010 after allegation that he abused a boy on a single occasion about 30 to 35 years prior, while assigned to Joliet Catholic High School. The same person also alleged abuse on multiple occasions by Fr. Lee Ryan at Providence High School. Investigation by diocese. Living in a supervised setting in 8/2010. Included on the Carmelites' list of credibly accused 11/22/2020. Added in 2/2021 to Joliet's list. Noted to be on a safety plan, since 2011. Name included on the Chicago archdiocese's list in 10/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Sources:

Br. Robert (Hugh) Murphy

Order: OCarm
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Savannah GA

Assigned in WI, GA, Ontario Canada, IL, NJ. In 2002 Murphy admitted that he had received treatment for sexual misconduct with children in Georgia in 1973 and for inappropriate behavior with boys in Chicago in the 1980s. He was removed from his assignment in 1985 and reportedly sent for treatment 1985-1999. Resigned from the Board of Members at Joliet Catholic Academy after his admission. Included on Savannah diocese's list 11/8/2018. Noted to have worked in the diocese 1969-1971. On the Carmelites' list 11/22/2020. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes that he was removed in 2005 from public ministry and placed on a safety plan. Included in the 3/24/2023 GA PAC Report. The Carmelites settled for $2.9M in 9/2023 with a former Mount Carmel High School student in Chicago, for claims that Murphy abused him 1982-1986. The plaintiff said he told a school official of the abuse at the time, but no action.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Joseph O’Nolan

Donate Photo

Order: OCarm
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Rockville Centre NY

Named publicly as accused by the Rockville Centre diocese on its list in 3/21. It notes alleged abuse occurring at a private house in Amityville. He was assigned to St. Martin in Amityville Summers 1972-74 and to St. Louis de Montfort in Sound Beach 9/74-11/76.

Assignments:

Diocese of Rockville Centre List 03.18.21

Sources:

Diocese of Rockville Centre List 03.18.21

Fr. Franklin (Felix) Prior

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Joliet IL

Worked in MA, PA, Ontario Canada, DC, TX, IL, NJ. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Order on its list 11/22/2020. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. Removed from public ministry in 2017 and put on a safety plan. (No information as to when or where the abuse occurred; placing Prior for now in the Diocese of Joliet, where the Order's Province is based.)

Assignments:

Carmelites Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Silverius J. Quigley

Order: OCarm
Status: Sued

Died: 07/28/1960
Diocese: Archdiocese of Newark NJ

Named publicly in 11/21 by Attorney Jeff Anderson as accused in a lawsuit filed under the NJ Victims' Rights Bill. Quigley was ordained in 1903 and died in 1960.

Sources:

Fr. Esteban Rodriguez

Donate Photo

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1986
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

From Puerto Rico. Among four priests at St. Simon Stock Parish accused of giving a boy, age 16, money for sex between 1/1996 and 8/1998. The boy and his family allegedly reported the abuse to the Archdiocese and Order in 1999; the boy moved out-of-state after receiving harrassing anonymous phone calls. The A civil suit filed in 2000 was settled prior to 2002. Rodriguez have continued active ministry in Puerto Rico.

Sources:

Fr. Ruben Rodriguez

Donate Photo

Order: OCarm
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

From Puerto Rico. Among four priests at St. Simon Stock Parish accused of giving a boy, age 16, money for sex between 1/1996 and 8/1998. The boy and his family allegedly reported the abuse to the Archdiocese and Order in 1999; the boy moved out-of-state after receiving harrassing anonymous phone calls. The A civil suit filed in 2000 was settled prior to 2002. Sent for psychiatric evaluation. Returned to Puerto Rico where he may have continued in active ministry.

Sources:

Fr. Louis P. Rogge

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1954
Status: Guilty plea

Died: 08/8/2007
Diocese: Archdiocese of Atlanta GA

Traveled the country for short-term assignments with the Carmelite missions. Pleaded guilty in 1974 to child molestation charges in Athens GA for abuse of a boy in 1972. Sentenced to six years' probation. Returned to active ministry in 1976. Accepted into the Joliet diocese in late 1992, where he sexually abused two brothers in 1996 and 1999. Removed from public ministry in 2002. Indicted in 12/2006 on criminal charges for the abuse of the two Joliet boys; pleaded guilty in 4/2007. Was expected to receive a 60 day sentence and probation. Died in 8/2007 before sentencing. Included on the Atlanta archdiocese's list 11/6/2018. Included on the Carmelites list 11/22/2020. Added in 2/2021 to the Joliet diocese's list. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. Included in the 3/24/2023 GA PAC report.

Fr. Dominic Savino

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1958
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Louisville KY

Removed in 2002 from the presidency of Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino CA after allegations of abuse of two brothers in 1979, and abuse of others in the 1970s. Police were notified. He acknowledged some incidents and that he had sought therapy. Also accused of abusing five high school boys in Louisville, KY 1966-1973. Named in a civil suit. Separated from the Carmelite Order in 2005. Claims by seven individuals included in $10M settlement 10/2006 with the Order and L.A. Archdiocese. On the Louisville archdiocese's list in 2/2019. Included on the Carmelites' list in 11/2020.

Assignments:

Sources:

Br. Timothy Sklopan

Order: OCarm
Status: Accused

Died: 11/11/2004
Diocese: Archdiocese of Chicago IL

Entered the Carmelite order in 1962. Made his solemn vows in 1966. Spent his early years in food management, at the Carmelite Junior Seminary in Hamilton MA, Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson AZ, and DeSales High School in Louisville KY. Briefly did parish ministry in In Englewood NJ. Taught religion 1980-1990 at DeSales, then at Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago 1990 until his death in 2004. Included on the Carmelites' list of credibly accused 1/20/2021. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes at least one "reported survivor."

Sources:

Fr. Matthew Michael Sprouffske

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1954
Status: Arrested

Died: 01/19/2005
Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Accused in 1986 of abuse in the 1950s of a female relative under age 14. Arrested in 12/2002. Criminal charges dropped in 7/2003 due to CA Supreme Court ruling. Died in 1/2005. At least one claim included in 11/2006 $10M settlement with Order, L.A. archdiocese and 7 people alleging abuse by 5 priests. Archdiocese was to release personnel files as part of 2007 $660M settlement with 508 plaintiffs. Personnel files on 25 priests (including his) was to be released in Fall 2012 after CA Supreme Court rejected appeal by the priests. Included on the Carmeiltes' list 11/22/2020. Added in 2/2021 to the Joliet diocese's list, where he was assigned in 2002 to Carmelite Carefree Village. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. James Tamburrino

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1998
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

One of 4 priests accused of abusing teenage boy 1996-1998 at St. Simon Stock in the Bronx. The boy worked in the rectory as a secretary; said the priests plied him with alcohol and porn, offered him money for sex, had him watch them group masturbate and threatened him with harm if he told. Transferred out 1999 after family went to the Archdiocese and Order. Assigned as chaplain to psychiatric hospital in Middletown NY while living at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish. Suspended 2001 after publicity about the case. Supported by Order through at least 2002. Arrested 2002 for harassing young man he met at NYC gay bar. Arrested again in 7/2005 for taking erotic photos of a 15-year-old boy and approaching another boy for the same. Convicted 3/30/2006. Sentenced 6/2006 to 5-15 years in prison. May also have offended while working in Peru prior to ordination.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Leo (Vincent) Van ter Toolen

Order: OCarm
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Dutch. Deceased. Assigned in the Carmelites' U.S. Province 1963-1971. Accused in 2002 of abuse in the early 1960s of a Los Angeles boy, ages 3-5. Named in the 2004 Los Angeles Archdiocesan Report. Left the Archdiocese in 1970. Separated from the order in 1972. Named in a civil suit. At least one claim was included in a $10M settlement in 11/2006. Included on the Carmelites' list of credibly accused in 11/2020.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. John Benedict Weber

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1977
Status: Accused

Died: 10/11/2021
Diocese: Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston TX

Named publicly as accused by the Galveston-Houston archdiocese on its list 1/31/2019. Included on the Carmelites list 11/22/2020. Removed from ministry in 2011. Included in 10/2022 on the Chicago Archdiocese's list of credibly accused. Included in the 05/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. Per the Carmelites list 5/30/2023, Weber died 10/11/2021.

Assignments:

Carmelites Assignments

Sources:

Fr. William C. Wert

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1986
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Assigned in Ontario Canada, Milwaukee WI, Middletown NY, Houston TX, Washington DC, Encino CA, Joliet and Chicago IL. Charged in 2007 in D.C. with the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old boy. Convicted in 9/2007 of simple assault; sentenced to 180 days in jail and 5 years' probation. Living at Order's retirement home in FL when arrested in Venice FL 2/1/2011; accused of sexually abusing another 14-year-old boy between 9/2010 and 1/2011. The boy's father contacted police after finding improper messages on the boy's phone. Civil suit filed in 3/2011. Order paid $1.75M to settle in 7/15/2011. Criminal trial held in 2/2013. Convicted 3/1/2013. Sentenced to life in prison 5/2013. Laicized in 3/2015. Included in 2020 on the Los Angeles archdiocese's list and in 11/22/20 on the Carmelites' list. Added in 2/2021 to the Joliet diocese's list. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Fr. Francis (Lambert) Yore

Donate Photo

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 10/11/2004
Diocese: Diocese of Joliet IL

Worked in Ontario Canada, PA, DC, MA, IL. Died in 2004. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Order on its list 1/20/2021. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. No information as to when or where the abuse occurred. (Placing Yore in the Joliet diocese for now, where the Province is based.)

Assignments:

Carmelites Assignments