Conventual Franciscans – OFM Conv - BishopAccountability.org

39 Accused in This Religious Order

Fr. Mark Andrzejczuk

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Order: OFM Conv
Status: Sued

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 10/19 under the NY Child Victims Act of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl in 1978 and 1979 while assigned to Cardinal O'Hara High School in Tonawanda. The girl was a student. Another former student also sued in 2019, claiming Andrzejczuk molested her 1978-81 when she was ages 14-17. Andrzejzuk died in 2011.

Sources:

Buffalo News 10.15.19

Fr. Orderic Auer

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Order: OFM Conv
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Louisville KY

Named publicly as accused by the Louisville archdiocese on its list in 2/19.

Sources:

Archdiocese of Louisville Orders and Others List 02.11.19

Fr. Felix Bak

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Died: 12/16/2002
Diocese: Archdiocese of Chicago IL

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Chicago archdiocese on its list in 10/22. Bak died in 2002.

Sources:

Findagrave 12.16.02
Archdiocese of Chicago List 10.14.22

Fr. Edwin Banach

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

Died: 11/23/1985
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

In 9/02 the Order began investigating allegations that Banach abused two boys between 1963 and 1970 at St. Anthony of Padua. One person alleged abuse and the other alleged that Banach made sexual overtures. Banach spent the first nine years of his ministry at St. Anthony's, moved to a parish in California, then returned in 1963 to St. Anthony's. In 1970 Banach was transferred back to California. He died in 1984.

Sources:

Rockford Register Star 06.21.03

Fr. Ronald William Bohl

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1980
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Accused of single incident in 1986 in Toledo OH diocese of making a sexual advance toward a minor. The 1993 settlement contained a confidentiality agreement. In treatment 1986-87, then reassigned to parish work. Removed from Louisville KY parish in 6/02. Also worked in Dubuque and Indianapolis archdioceses. Died 1/19/12 in KY.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Ronald Borman

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1992
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Louisville KY

Arrested 10/11/06 on charges of internet child seduction. Employed by Louisville KY archdiocese as a teacher 1978-85. Worked as a priest 1992-98 in the Lansing MI and Toledo OH dioceses and the Indianapolis IN archdiocese. Left the priesthood in 1998. Taught in Louisville archdiocesan schools until 2001, and in Louisville public middle schools until his arrest. Pleaded guilty 2/09 to 1 count of possession of child porn. Sentenced to 30 month in prison.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Aurelian W. Brzezniak

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1945
Status: Sued

Died: 06/27/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/19 of sexually abusing a 7-year-old boy, along with Revs. James Smyka and Patrick Mendola, at St. Francis High School in the Buffalo diocese in 1977. The accuser claimed the abuse occurred in front of a group of priests in a shower room, and that it continued until he was age 8. Brzezniak died 6/27/11.

Sources:

Fr. Kevin Cole

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1952
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Louisville KY

At least five suits filed in 2002. Accused of abuse of girls. Died in 1990 or 1991. May have also abused in Ohio prior to arrival in Kentucky. On the Louisville archdiocese's list in 2/19.

Assignments:

Assignment Record Compiled by Law Firm

Sources:

Fr. Leon Dicks

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1957
Status: Settled

Died: 10/4/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Accused at some point of sexually abusing a girl, ages 11-14, about thirty times during 1958-61, when the girl was a hospital patient. Dicks was a chaplain at St. Francis Hospital in Trenton where the girl received treatment, and the abuse occurred in her hospital room. A claim in the case was settled in 5/20 in the low six figures. Dicks died 10/4/09.

Assignments:

Garabedian Law Offices Assignment Record

Sources:

Garabedian Law Offices Assignment Record

Br. Francis Dominic

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Order: OFM Conv
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Louisville KY

Birth name was Anthony Salomone. Assigned to Conventual Franciscans' Province of Our Lady of Consolation, based in Mount St. Francis, IN, 1969 -1980. Transferred to the Conventual Franciscans' Province of St. Bonaventure, based in Chicago, before leaving the order in 1989. Named as abuser of at least six boys in suits filed in 2002 in KY. All accusers alleged abuse in early 1970s. On the Louisville archdiocese's list in 2/19.

Assignments:

Assignment Record Compiled by Law Firm

Sources:

Fr. Daniel Emerine

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1941
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Louisville KY

Named in six lawsuits filed against the Louisville archdiocese in 2002. Allegedly abused five boys and one girl as grade school students. Several plaintiffs said they told church officials and/or teachers but no one believed them. Two additional suits filed in 4/03. Also worked in dioceses of Lansing MI, Cleveland OH, Grand Rapids MI, Fort Wayne-South Bend IN, and Indianapolis IN. Included in massive 6/03 settlement with the Louisville archdiocese. Died in 1986. On Louisville's list in 2/19.

Assignments:

Assignment Record Compiled by Law Firm

Sources:

Fr. Alfred Ewanowski

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Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1990
Status: Accused

Died: 10/18/1990
Diocese: Archdiocese of Baltimore MD

Name also spelled Evanowski. Included on the Baltimore archdiocese's list of accused 4/24/19. Allegation to archdiocese in 2003 of abuse in 1967 of an Archbishop Curley High School student. Additional allegations followed of abuse while Ewanowski was a Curley High faculty member, where he was assigned 1968-76. He died in 1990.

Sources:

Archdiocese of Baltimore List 04.24.19

Fr. Theodore Feely

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1958
Status: Sued

Died: 09/25/1991
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Feely worked in IL, CA and NV. In 2002 two men alleged Feely of abused them when they were minors in IL 1968-72. One of the men filed 2/06 civil suit against the Rockford Diocese claiming Feely repeatedly sexually abused him, including rape, at age 13 in 1969. The man said the abuse started on a four-day trip to the Wisconsin Dells. He said he was awakened by the priest choking him, and was then sodomized. Feely's accuser also said he told another priest during confession, who pulled him out of the confessional, said he was evil then pushed him down the stairs. The lawsuit was dismissed on SOL. Feely died in NV in 1991. On Rockford diocese's list 11/14/18. On Las Vegas diocese's list 4/12/19. On Stockton diocese's list 11/12/20; worked there at St. George's 1981-82. Included on the Chicago archdiocese's list in 10/22 (name misspelled 'Feeley.')

Assignments:

Sources:

Br. Kerry Guillory

Order: OFM Conv
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of El Paso TX

Accused in suit filed in NM 11/07 of abuse of a teen boy 1976-77 in Las Cruces, NM, then part of the Diocese of El Paso, TX. Guillory was running a shelter in Louisville, KY when suit filed. He denied the allegations. Suit named both Las Cruces and El Paso dioceses. Two other suits filed, in 2008 and 2009. On Las Cruces diocese's list 11/8/18. Suit filed 2/19 in NM claiming Guillory raped a 7-year-old boy 1972-74 at St. Edward's school in Carlsbad. On Lake Charles' diocese's list 4/11/19; allegations received 1986 and 2015 of abuse of multiple minors in 1983 in Jennings. On El Paso's list 1/31/19.

Sources:

Fr. Brennan Harris

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1969
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

First named publicly as accused on Indianapolis archdiocese's list 10/12/18. Noted to have one victim, abuse allegedly occurring in 1971. On Lake Charles diocese's list 4/11/19; multiple victims noted, occurring 1983-87 in Lake Arthur, LA and Port Arthur, TX. Principal of St. Maria Goretti High School in Lake Arthur. Diocese received allegations 1991 and 1995. Removed from ministry by Order. Died in 1993.

Sources:

Fr. Clement R. Jarnot

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1965
Status: Sued

Died: 05/12/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 10/19 under the NY Child Victims Act of sexually abusing a boy, ages 14-15, in 1972-73. The boy was a St. Francis High School student and Jarot was the school's Director of Admissions and a guidance counselor. Jarnot died in 2008.

Sources:

Fr. Placid Kaczorek

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1964
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield MA

Named publicly as accused of the sexual abuse of a minor by the Springfield MA diocese on its list 6/2/21. Worked in the diocese 1970-2001. Abuse allegedly occurred 1973-81. Died in 2016.

Sources:

Diocese of Springfield MA List updated 06.02.21

Fr. Gregory Kareta

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1956
Status: Sued

Died: 10/4/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Publicly accused in the Monterey diocese in 2003 of abuse of an 11-year-old boy in 1973-74. Three other alleged victims corroborated the charges. Criminal charges dismissed in 2003 due to Supreme Court ruling. Kareta also admitted abusing a youth in the 1960s in WI. Accuser told L.A. archdiocese in 1985; Kareta was kept active. Died 10/4/06. Personnel file released in 1/13. On the Monterey diocese's list 1/2/19. It notes a report received in 2002 of abuse in the 1970s. Included on the Fresno diocese's 8/21 list of credibly accused. Included in 10/22 on the Chicago archdiocese's list.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. John Earl Kelty

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Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1946
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield MA

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Springfield on its list 6/2/21. Assigned to San Domiano Friary in Holyoke 1981-82. Accused of sexually abusing a minor in the 1980s. Died in 1993.

Assignments:

Diocese of Springfield MA List updated 06.02.21

Sources:

Diocese of Springfield MA List updated 06.02.21

Fr. Michael Kolodziej

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1970
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Baltimore MD

Ordained for the Buffalo diocese before joining Order in 1978. Former Minister Provincial of the Order. Worked in MD, NY, MA and GA as teacher, including in Springfield MA diocese. Principal of Cardinal O'Hara High in Buffalo diocese 1982-88, and assistant principal at St. Francis High 1979-82. In 11/13 a former student of Archbishop Curley High in Baltimore alleged that Kolodziej abused him on several occasions 1975-79 while "wrestling." Suspended by order from public ministry; archdiocese removed his faculties. Police were investigating. On Atlanta archdiocese's list 11/6/18. On Buffalo diocese's list updated 11/5/18. On Baltimore's list 9/5/19. Accused in two lawsuits filed in 2019 under the NY Child Victims Act of molesting boys at Cardinal O'Hara High School in Tonawanda NY, both in 1982-83. Kolidziej was the school's principal and a teacher.

Fr. Michael M. Lewandowski

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1975
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

Taught at St. Francis High School in Hamburg and Cardinal O'Hara High in Tonawanda variously during 1976-1991. Worked in Altoona diocese beginning 1997. In 5/14, the order told Altoona that Lewandowski was the subject of an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor in the 1980s [likely in Buffalo]. Removed by Altoona from St. Anne's in Davidsville, pending an investigation. Civil authorities notified. At some point, he also worked in the Springfield, MA diocese. A 2019 lawsuit claims abuse by the priest of a St. Francis High student starting in 1979. Plaintiff said the priest would fondle him while they wrestled and would ply him with alcohol. The man said he told the principal of the abuse at the time, but no action.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. George M. Maslar

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1963
Status: Settled

Died: 12/21/2021
Diocese: Diocese of Bridgeport CT

Accused in a case that settled in 2021 of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl in 1971. Maslar's alleged victim said that the two met at prayer meetings at the Cathedral of St. Augustine in Bridgeport, and that the abuse happened twice in Maslar's car. The diocese was informed of the allegation in 11/17. Maslar died in 12/21.

Assignments:

Garabedian Law Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Dominic E. McGee

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1967
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Pittsburgh PA

First named publicly as accused in 8/14/18 PA Grand Jury Report. In 2004 a man told the Pittsburgh diocese that McGee molested him and his younger brother in the early to mid-1970s when the man was a student at Canevin High School.

Assignments:

PA Grand Jury Report Profile 08.14.18

Sources:

Fr. Patrick J. Mendola

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Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1975
Status: Sued

Died: 05/18/1995
Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/19 of sexually abusing a 7-year-old boy, along with Revs. Aurelian Brzezniak and James Smyka, at St. Francis High School in the Buffalo diocese in 1977. The accuser claimed the abuse occurred in front of a group of priests in a shower room, and that it continued until he was age 8. Mendola died 5/18/95 at age 47.

Sources:

Fr. Romuald Meogrossi

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Order: OFM Conv
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Baltimore MD

On 5/2/21 the archdiocese announced that it had suspended Meogrossi from ministry after receiving an allegation that he had sexually abused a minor. The abuse allegedly occurred during a clinical therapy session in 2006; Meogrossi was working as a licensed therapist. He denied the allegation.

Sources:

Fr. Michael Joseph Miller

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 2001
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Worked in Buffalo NY diocese at St. Francis High in 1993 and 2000-03. Parochial vicar at St. Paul in Kensington, CT 2006-2011. Removed by Order 7/4/11 for inappropriate contact with a minor. Hospitalized 7/11 during police investigation. Personal computer confiscated. Arrested 7/12/11; charged with 5 counts of risk of injury or impairing morals of a minor, improper text and facebook messages. Implicated by at least 9 minors. Re-arrested 6/12 for possession of child porn. Pled guilty to all charges 5/1/13. Privileges permanently removed. Sentenced to 5 years prison and 20 years probation. On Hartford archdiocese's list 1/22/19.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Daniel P. Peck

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Accused of abuse of a minor in 1996, per 2004 archdiocesan report.

Assignments:

LA Times Database 04.20.06

Sources:

LA Archdiocesan Report 02.17.04

Fr. Bruce Ritter

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1956
Status: Sued

Died: 10/7/1999
Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Established Covenant House in Greenwich Village in the early 1970s as a shelter and foundation for homeless and troubled youth. Complaints of sexual abuse of teen boys date back as far as the 1950s. Complaints documented in book, "Broken Covenant" by C. Sennott, 1992. Civil suit. Forced to resign in 1990 after allegations. Refused counseling, resigned from the order in 1991, reportedly joined an overseas diocese. Died in 1999. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 7/21 in Manhattan of sexually abusing a boy, ages 13-16, beginning in 1981. His accuser, who was a Covenant House resident, said that Ritter gave him gifts and clothing, and that the abuse included forcing him to have sex with other men, including Covenant House donors.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Luke Rutter

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Order: OFM Conv
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/19 of abusing a male student at St. Francis High School in the 1980s. Rutter was a teacher at the school. He died in 2000 at age 51.

Sources:

Buffalo News 08.14.19

Br. Anthony Salamone

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Order: OFM Conv
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Louisville KY

Called Br. Francis Dominic. Five civil suits filed in 2002 alleged abuse 1972-73. Transferred to Chicago in 1980. Left Order in 1989. It is believed all five were settled in the massive 6/03 settlement with the archdiocese.

Assignments:

Assignment Record Compiled by Law Firm

Sources:

Fr. Augustus Scott

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Order: OFM Conv
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Camden NJ

In 4/12, attorney Garabedian announced that he had recently settled at least one case involving allegation of abuse by Scott. Abuse allegedly occurred several times in Scott's car between 1969-1970 when accuser was 16. Diocese in 2012 said Scott was not an active priest. Other sources reported he was living in North Carolina.

Sources:

Coshocton Tribune 04.11.12
BishopAccountability 04.11.12

Fr. Herbert Skurski

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1944
Status: Settled

Died: 01/16/1996
Diocese: Diocese of Ogdensburg NY

Multiple allegations. In a letter to Bishop LaValley, a woman reported that Skurski sexually abused her as a child when he was assigned to the Ogdensburg diocese, 1982-85. The diocese provided financial assistance for counseling and, in 12/18, a $100K offer from the IRCP. Per his obituary, Skurski was assigned to parishes in CT, PA, MD, NY, MA, Nova Scotia, ME. He died in Shamokin PA 1/16/96. Accused in a lawsuit filed 8/14/19 of sexually abusing a child, ages 7-9, at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary in Buffalo NY 1955-57, and another filed the same day of abuse of a child, ages 12-13 in 1959-60, also at Holy Rosary.

Assignments:

Findagrave accessed 03.08.19

Documents:

Supreme Court of the State of NY County of Erie AB 93 Doe, Index No. Plaintiff v The Diocese of
Buffalo, Conventual Franciscans et al
Supreme Court of the State of NY County of Erie AB 94 Doe, Index No. Plaintiff v The Diocese of
Buffalo, Conventual Franciscans et al

Sources:

Fr. James Smyka

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1973
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

First named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Buffalo on its updated list 11/5/18. Chaplain at St. Joseph's Hospital and living at a parish in Syracuse 11/14-10/18. Taught at St. Francis High School in Hamburg for 11 years early in his career, then worked in Johnstown PA, Chicopee MA and Bridgeport CT. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/19 of sexually abusing a 7-year-old boy, along with Revs. Aurelian Brzezniak and Patrick Mendola, at St. Francis High School in the Buffalo diocese in 1977. The accuser claimed the abuse occurred in front of a group of priests in a shower room, and that it continued until he was age 8.

Sources:

Fr. Conrad Somerville

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1954
Status: Sued

Died: 11/21/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

Accused in a 6/20 lawsuit of sexually abusing a girl, age 11, while assigned to St. Joseph's in Utica 1964-65. Somerville's accuser said he also victimized other girls and that the abuse occurred in in movie theaters, church youth outings and in the priest's car. Somerville died 11/21/13.

Sources:

Fr. Adolph Szelagowski

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Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1943
Status: Sued

Died: 04/29/1989
Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

Accused in a lawsuit(s) filed in 2020 under the NY Child Victims Act. Died 4/29/89.

Sources:

Buffalo News 09.22.20

Fr. Marion P. Tolczyk

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1954
Status: Sued

Died: 09/6/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/19 of molesting a boy over several years, beginning when the boy was age 16 in the 1960s and Tolczyk was principal of St. Francis High School. The boy was a student. Tolczyk died 9/6/13.

Sources:

Fr. Andrzej J. Urbaniak

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1998
Status: Arrested

Diocese: Archdiocese of Boston MA

From Poland. Arrived in the US around 1998. Became naturalized citizen 2010. Pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Boston. Placed on leave and arrested 7/31/12. He was in process of downloading porn when warrant served. Charged with possession of child porn on church computer and with distribution of child porn. Pleaded not guilty at arraignment. Released on bail. Privileges removed.

Sources:

Fr. Bernard Waltos

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Died: 12/16/1992
Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

First named publicly as accused on the San Bernardino diocese's list 10/9/18. Assigned to Queen of Angels in Riverside 1981-91. Abused alleged to have occurred 1984-90. Waltos died 12/16/92. Per diocese, it was made aware of the allegations in 1994. Named in 1992 lawsuit by victim of convicted priest Dennis Jost.

Assignments:

Waltos Personnel File

Sources:

Fr. Raynor Ziemski

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Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1939
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Baltimore MD

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese of Baltimore on its list updated 6/8/20. Two people alleged sexual abuse by Ziemski in the 1960s and 1970s. He died in 1981.

Sources:

Archdiocese of Baltimore List 11.03.20