Carmelite Fathers and Brothers – OCarm

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Terry McKiernan February 27, 2021

25 Accused in This Religious Order

Fr. Robert Boley

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1975
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Suit filed in 2006 in L.A. accused Boley 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 10/06 and moved to a Carmelite house in Joliet. Case included in massive 7/07 $660M settlement by L.A. Archdiocese with 508 plaintiffs.

Sources:

Darien Suburban Life 07.20.07

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. Leonard W. Broughan

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Philadelphia PA

Accused of abuse of 2 youths. Apparently he was a priest of the Philadelphia archdiocese when some of the abuse occurred but became a Carmelite order priest in 1986. Diocese notified in 1993 and 1995. No assignments after 1994. Died in 1998.

Assignments:

Philadelphia Archdiocesan Priest Data Profile

Sources:

Br. Lawrence Brown

Donate Photo

Order: OCarm
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Accuded of abuse between 1955-1956 by 1 accuser. Also named in lawsuit. At least one claim included in 11/06 $10M settlement with Order, L.A. Archdiocese and 7 people alleging abuse by 5 priests and religious.

Assignments:

LA Times Database 04.20.06

Sources:

LA Archdiocesan Report Addendum 11.15.05
Catholic Key 11.10.06

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 1/31/13. Accused in lawsuit settled 3/15 of abuse of boy at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino CA, 1984-86. Plaintiff said Chong would sexually abuse him after football practice in Chong's living quarters, sometimes plying him with alcohol. Also worked in dioceses and archdioceses of Cleveland, Washington DC, Chicago, and Boston. Died 10/21/14.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Mark Ciganovich

Donate Photo

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1966
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Evansville IN

Arrested in nationwide child pornography sting 5/96. Order placed him under supervision and removed him from public ministry. Had been a moral theology professor at St. Meinrad School of Theology for 17 years before resigning 8/96. Pled guilty 12/96 to federal charge of receiving child pornography in mail and sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in federal penitentiary, $3000 fine, and 2 years supervised release.

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:

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 1/31/13.

Sources:

Fr. Anthony Thomas Jablonowski

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1970
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Cheyenne WY

Ordained for the Diocese of Covington, KY. Transferred in 1980 to the Diocese of Cheyenne, then in 2000 to the Diocese of Steubenville. Pled no contest in 2004 to charges of abusing a 17-year-old boy in 1982. Sentenced to 15 months to 7 years in prison. Privileges removed. Another accuser filed suit 3/05. Released from prison 7/05. Required to register as sex offender. Worked in several dioceses. On Tucson's list of abusive priests, referred to as Steubenville priest. Laicization in 2006. Registered offender in FL as of 2010. Had been living in OH. On Steubenville diocese's list 10/31/18. On Cheyenne diocese's list 6/12/19. It notes four adolescent male victims, abuse occurring 1983-88. Laicized in 2006. On Glenmary Home Missioners list 10/11/19. Worked 1976-80 on loan to the order. On Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/19. On Covington diocese's list 7/31/20. On Lexington diocese's list in 8/20. One known victim there at Lexington Catholic High in the early 1970s. On Atlanta's list.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. John Knoernschild

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1970
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Orange CA

Accused by former Crespi Carmelite High School student of sexually abusing him in 1977-78. Knoernschild was in LA archdiocese before Orange was established in 1976. Left archdiocese in 1996, returned in 1998, and left again in 2001. At least one claim against Knoernschild included in $10M settlement with Order and LA Archdiocese 10/06. Died 11/14/10.

Assignments:

LA Archdiocesan Report Addendum 11.15.05
LA Times Database 4.20.06

Sources:

Fr. Adrian D. Lickteig

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1932
Status: Accused

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

Named publicly as accused by the Kansas City KS archdiocese on its list 1/25/19. It notes one allegation of abuse, occurring in 1959. He died in 1968, at age 68.

Sources:

Archdiocese of Kansas City KS List 01.25.19

Fr. Franz B. Lickteig

Donate Photo

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston TX

Named publicly as accused by the Galveston-Houston archdiocese on its list 6/18/21. Assigned to Mt. Carmel High School. Laicized. Died in 1996.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston List 06.18.21

Sources:

Fr. Kevin McBrien

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Joliet IL

A/k/a Dennis Kevin. Removed from position at St. Matthew's In Glendale Heights in 5/10 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 8/10. Added in 2/21 to Joliet's list of those with substantiated allegations. Noted to be on a safety plan, since 2011.

Assignments:

Detailed BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Br. Robert Murphy

Order: OCarm
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Savannah GA

In 2002 Murphy admitted 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 1985-99. Resigned from Board of Members at Joliet Catholic Academy after his admission. On Savannah diocese's list 11/8/18.

Sources:

Chicago Tribune 04.11.02
Diocese of Savannah LIst 11.08.18

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. 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 accused of abuse of a boy, age 16, by giving him money for sex. Civil suit filed in 2000 was settled prior to 2002. May have continued active ministry in Puerto Rico.

Sources:

Fr. Ruben Rodriguez

Donate Photo

Order: OCarm
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Civil suit settled in 2001. Among four priests accused of abuse of a boy, age 16, by giving him money for sex. 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: Convicted

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

Pled guilty in 1974 to child molestation charges in Athens GA. Sentenced to six years probation. Returned to active ministry in 1976. Abused two brothers in Joliet diocese 1996 and 1999. Removed from public ministry in 2002. Indicted on criminal charges in 12/06, pled guilty in 4/07. Was expected to receive 60 day sentence and probation. Died 8/07 before sentencing. On Atlanta archdiocese's list 11/6/18. Added in 2/21 to the Joliet diocese's list.

Sources:

Fr. Dominic Savino

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1958
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Louisville KY

Removed in 2002 from 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 notified. He "acknowledged" some incidents and that he had sought therapy and counseling. Also accused of abusing five high school boys in Louisville, KY 1966-73. Named in a civil suit. Claims by seven individuals included in $10M settlement 10/06 with Order and LA Archdiocese. On Louisville archdiocese's list in 2/19.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Matthew Michael Sprouffske

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1954
Status: Arrested

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Accused in 1986 of abuse in the 1950s of a female relative under age 14. Arrested in 12/02. Criminal charges dropped in 7/03 due to CA Supreme Court ruling. Died in 1/05. At least one claim included in 11/06 $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) to be released in Fall 2012 after CA Supreme Court rejected appeal by the priests. Addedin 2/21 to the Joliet diocese's list, where he was assigned in 2002 to Carmelite Carefree Village.

Assignments:

LA Times Database 04.20.06

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 1996-98 at St. Simon Stock in the Bronx. The boy worked in 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 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 7/05 for taking erotic photos of a 15-year-old boy and approaching another boy for the same. Convicted 3/30/06. Sentenced 6/06 to 5-15 years in prison. May also have offended while working in Peru prior to ordination.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Vincent Van ter Toolen

Order: OCarm
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Accused of abuse 1962-64. Left the L.A. archdiocese in 1970. Accuser came forward in 2002 to allege abuse in about 1961, when he was ages 3-5. Named in archdiocesan report. Named in a civil suit. At least one claim included in 11/06 $10M settlement with order, LA archdiocese and 7 people alleging abuse by five priests and religious. Deceased.

Assignments:

LA Archdiocesan Report Addendum 11.15.05
LA Times Database 04.20.06

Sources:

LA Archdiocesan Report 02.17.04
Catholic Key 11.10.06

Fr. John Benedict Weber

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1977
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston TX

Named publicly as accused by the Galveston-Houston archdiocese on its list 1/31/19. Removed from ministry in 2011.

Sources:

Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston List 01.31.19

Fr. William C. Wert

Order: OCarm
Ordained: 1986
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Previously worked in CA. Charged in 2007 in D.C. with abuse of 14-year-old boy. Convicted in 9/07 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 2/1/11; accused of sex with a 14-year-old boy between 9/10 and 1/11. Father told police after finding improper messages on boy's phone. Civil suit filed 3/11. Order paid $1.75M to settle 7/15/11. Criminal trial held 2/13. Convicted 3/1/13. Sentenced to life in prison 5/13. Added in 2/21 to the Joliet diocese's list, where he worked 1987-93 and 2001-04.