Oblates of Mary Immaculate – OMI - BishopAccountability.org

59 Accused in This Religious Order

Fr. Leonard Baldus

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1942
Status: Sued

Died: 07/30/2005
Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Fr. Balden was one of several accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior. The suit alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. One woman claimed that Fr. Balden, Fr. Cholewa and another unnamed priest abused her 1975-1982 when she was 5-11 years old. Died 7/30/2005.

Sources:

Belleville News-Democrat Obituary 08.02.05
MWD et al v Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls et al, Minnehaha County Circuit Court 07.30.10
Argus Leader 08.06.10
Sioux City Journal 08.06.10

Fr. Richard J. Barry

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1978
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Boston MA

Worked in MA, PA, DC, MI. Personnel file review in 2002 showed Barry allegedly raped and assaulted a youth at St. William's in Tewksbury, MA, where he was assigned 1978-1981. Transferred to Dallastown, PA. Included in 3/2003 NH A.G. report. Per documents, the same man claimed Barry raped and sexually abused him beginning at age 16 or 17 in NH. Name omitted from 2011 Boston AD database because he was an Order priest. Included on Harrisburg PA diocese list released 8/1/2018. Per attorney Mitchell Garabedian, there was a settlement in 2021 in the mid-five figures of a claim of abuse of a boy, age 14, while on a camping trip in NH in 1981.

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Fr. Francis Beazley

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1940
Status: Accused

Died: 01/10/1992
Diocese: Diocese of Corpus Christi TX

In 1/2004 a woman alleged abuse by Beazley in 1957 when she was an elementary student in Edinberg (which later became part of the Brownsville diocese). Her therapist informed the Brownsville Bishop in the 1990s. Beazley also worked in the San Antonio, San Angelo, Amarillo, Baton Rouge, and Colorado Springs dioceses. Died in 1992.

Sources:

Brownsville Herald 01.26.04

Fr. Real B. Bourque

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 07/22/2014
Diocese: Archdiocese of Boston MA

Assigned in Boston MA, Manchester NH, Birmingham AL, Portland ME, Washington DC and Belleville IL. Accused in 1979 and 1994 of abusing male minors in the late 1970s at the Oblates' center in Natick MA, where he was Director. Abuse alleged also from his time as Director of a retreat house in ME. Bourque was reassigned by Cardinal Medeiros after allegations in 1981 and continued in ministry until admitting abusing teens in the 1990s. Sent to treatment in 1979 and again in 1994. Employed by EWTN for 12 years, prior to and after his 1994 treatment, including appearing on TV and youth ministry. Omitted from 2011 Boston AD database because he was an Order priest. Died in 2014. Included on the Diocese of Belleville's 9/2022 list of credibly accused. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Detailed BA.org assignment record

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Brother Leroy

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Order: OMI
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Brother Leroy was one of several accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior. The suit alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. In the suit, one man said he was sexually abused by Br. Leroy 1964-70 when he was ages 6-12. He also alleged abuse by other students at Tekakwitha.

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Br. Brother Tim

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Order: OMI
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Bro. Tim was one of several accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior. The suit alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. In the suit, Bro. Tim and Sr. Boganina were accused of abuse 1944-1945 of a boy, age 9-10.

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Br. Henry Busman

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Order: OMI
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Busman was one of several religious accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior. The suit alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. Six men and two women alleged in the suit that Busman sexually abused them as children between 1960 and 1982.

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Fr. Charles Cassetta

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1970
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Miami FL

Worked in the Buffalo, NY diocese prior to transfer to Florida. Accused in a 2003 lawsuit of sexually abusing a female student at least ten times in 1971-1972 at Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach. Settled in 5/2004 for $220K. Cassetta left the priesthood, married and was last known to be living in Maryland.

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Fr. Michael Joseph Charland

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1971
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN

Report to the Archdiocese in 2002 that Charland sexually assaulted a boy, age 17, during confession while on Teens Encounter Christ retreat at a St. Paul parish in 1981. Charland was then campus ministry director at St. Thomas College in St. Paul MN. Left the order in 1984, married. Laicized 11/10/1989. Order released name as credibly accused 7/7/2015, and part of a 2/2015 settlement. In 7/2015 he was working as a therapist at a Woodbury MN counseling center. No longer listed on center's site 9/2015; professional license revoked. On Duluth diocese's list 12/3/2015; Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese's updated list 4/1/2019. It notes abuse in the 1970s, reported in 2018. Charland's file shows that he was removed from his position of Assistant Principal and counselor at St. Henry's Prep Seminary in Belleville IL in 1/1977 because the rector learned he had fondled a boy during counseling while the boy was sitting naked on his lap, and had touched him sexually during other counseling sessions. Charland admitted the abuse. He was quickly and quietly transferred to St. Thomas College. Involved in Teens Encounter Christ in the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese, among other dioceses, with the role of spiritual director. Continued to abuse boys during counseling sessions. Other documents created during the laicization process refer to additional victims and state that Charland's misconduct began before ordination. (The Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese's list erroneously states that Charland died in 2004; it was accused priest Peter Charland who died in 2004.) On the Belleville diocese's list 9/20/2022. Included on the Diocese of Superior's list in 11/2022; multiple allegations noted, occurring outside of the diocese in the 1970-1980s. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Ronald Chiasson

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Died: 04/22/1999
Diocese: Diocese of Harrisburg PA

In later 2018 a man told the PA A.G. that Chaisson sexually abused him beginning when he was a 12-year-old altar boy at St. Margaret Mary in Harrisburg in the 1970s. He said the priest groomed him with gifts and special attention and that the abuse occurred over a three-year period, in the rectory and on a road trip to Novia Scotia. He said Chiasson rubbed his body with oil, plied him with alcohol, possibly drugged him, and took photos of him nude. Chaisson died in 4/22/99. Per his obituary, Chaisson was "heavily involved in youth ministry" at St. William's in Tewksbury, MA 1980-85, was a Navy chaplain 1987-90 and, for eight years until his death, was chaplain at Donovan State Prison in San Diego, CA. He was also assigned to Most Precious Blood parish in Chula Vista. Included on the Harrisburg diocese's list in 4/20.

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Fr. Gregory Cholewa

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1976
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Cholewa was one of several accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior. The suit alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. In the suit, one woman alleges that Fr. Cholewa, Fr. Balden and another unnamed priest abused her 1975-82 when she was ages 5-11.

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Fr. Theophilus Clerx

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1957
Status: Sued

Died: 12/17/2003
Diocese: Archdiocese of San Antonio TX

Worked in San Antonio 1959-1992. The archdiocese revealed in 2019 that there were seven allegations, six of the in 2011, dating to the 1990s. In 2002 Clerx was accused of sexually abusing a child in the early 1960s. He admitted to the abuse. Died 12/17/03. In 1/11, four sisters filed suit against the San Antonio archdiocese, alleging that Clerx molested them; one said he raped her repeatedly 1988-1992. The girls were minors and he was assigned to St. John Berchman's in San Antonio. Their mother worked for parish. Clerx gave the girls special privileges and visited them when mother was at work. One of the women reported the abuse to the Archdiocese in 2010. On archdiocese's list 1/31/19.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Donald Dummer

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1964
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN

One of four priests with substantiated allegations against them named publicly by the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis 10/23/2014. Among Dummer's assignments: Althoff Catholic High School in Bellville IL; parish pastor in Sisseton SD; Assumption Parish in Richfield MN 1975-1981; Crookston diocese until 1996; lived at St. Mary's in St. Paul 1996-2002; Regions Hospital chaplain 1997-2006; resided with local Oblates of Mary Immaculate Superior 2002-2006. Faculties removed in 2006. Living with Order in MA in 10/2014. Per church documents released in a 11/2014 settlement agreement, a church worker found child porn videos in Dummer's room in early 1997 and again in early 1998. The worker said she gave the videos in 1998 to Vicar General Kevin McDonough and that McDonough destroyed them. Per another document, Oblate official Rev. Joseph Hitpas said he would destroy the porn. Dummer denied wrongdoing. On the Belleville diocese's list in 9/2022. Included in 11/2022 on the Diocese of Superior's list of credibly accused; abused noted to have occurred in 1986 in River Falls; removed or left 12/30/1986; laicized in 2006. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Domingo Gonzales Estrada

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1972
Status: Settled

Died: 09/21/2009
Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo TX

Arrested and indicted 5/04 on charges that he had molested a boy 6/90 in Midland TX. Estrada was assigned to Midland from 1986 to 1996. He was living in San Antonio at the time of his arrest. Acquitted in criminal case by jury 12/04. Named in civil suit which settled. Still shown as priest when he died in San Antonio 9/21/09. On San Angelo diocese's list 2/13/19.

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Fr. James Vincent Fitzgerald

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1950
Status: Settled

Died: 09/7/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Also known as James V. Fitzgerald. Died 9/07/2009. Accused in a in 2010 lawsuit of abuse at Tekakwitha Indian Mission, Sisseton SD. A man and woman alleged sexual abuse as children in the late 1960s. Worked in the Duluth diocese off and on 1957-1983; also Crookston and New Ulm. Suits filed 11/19/2013 and 2/2014. One accuser known in Crookston. Named on the 12/31/2013 Duluth list. Included on New Ulm list released by Attorney Jeff Anderson 8/04/2014. Names from 1/2014 deposition of Rev. Francis Garvey, former New Ulm official. Judge ordered Crookston diocese in 8/2015 to turn over to "John Doe 19" all records of sexual abuse by priests prior to 1985. Doe 19 claimed sexual abuse as boy by Fitzgerald in the mid-1980s in Naytahwaush MN, on the White Earth Indian Reservation. In 11/2014 a jury awarded $8.1M to a man alleging abuse as a boy in 1978 in the Duluth diocese; he had met Fitzgerald in the New Ulm diocese. Included on the order's list 7/6/2015. Name released in 3/2016 by New Ulm. At least 17 accusers; may be dozens, per attorney. Settlement with Doe 19 in 4/2016. On the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese's list updated 4/1/2019. On the Belleville diocese's list 9/20/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Arthur P. Craig

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1955
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused in a lawsuit filed against the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Easter Province in 12/22 of sexually abusing a girl, ages 4-8, at a Bar Harbor seminary and Bucksport retreat house. The plaintiff claims that she lived in a Massachusetts orphanage affiliated with the Order and was brought to Maine, where she was abused by Craig and other priests.

Sources:

Bangor Daily News 12.08.22

Fr. Marcel Genereux

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1939
Status: Accused

Died: 08/9/1971
Diocese: Diocese of Manchester NH

Originally an Oblate of Mary; may have been incardinated into the Manchester diocese after 1959. A woman notified the diocese in 6/05 that she had been sexually molested by Genereux for two years while a student at Presentation of Mary Academy in Hudson in 1957-58. She told the school in 1958; he was quickly removed. Shortly thereafter, he saw her at a party and deliberately broke her arm. Two other alleged victims are also known. Multiple short assignments 1959-71. Died in 1971.

Assignments:

Diocese of Manchester List 07.31.19

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Fr. Ralph Goniea

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1963
Status: Accused

Died: 03/24/2003
Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

Name included on 12/31/2013 list released by the Diocese of 17 clergy who had been credibly accused of the sexual abuse of young persons while serving in the diocese, and another five who had been accused while residing in the diocese at some time. Assistant Pastor of St. Jean's in Duluth 9/1/1965 - 12/22/1966. He was no longer working in the diocese when the allegation was received. Name included in 10/2014 on the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis list. Died 3/24/2003.

Assignments:

Diocese of Duluth Assignment Record

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Fr. Anthony Hernandez Gonzalez

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1957
Status: Settled

Died: 12/2/2016
Diocese: Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston TX

Anthony or Antonio. Gonzales or Gonzalez. Order reportedly knew of abusive behavior in at least 1960. Multiple transfers. Named as abuser in 2006 civil suit. A woman alleged that he began sexually abusing her when she was age 15 and homeless. Abuse allegedly occurred 1981-83 at Immaculate Conception in Houston. Plaintiff got pregnant and Gonzales went to Canada. Married another girl. Left priesthood 1985. Laicized in 5/87. Suit settled in 3/08 for $1.35M. Admitted fathering at least 8 illegitimate children with young girls. On Baton Rouge diocese's list in early 2019. Report in 6/12 of abuse in the 1970s while assigned to an Albany, LA parish. Died 12/2/16. On Galveston-Houston and the Archdiocese of San Antonios lists 1/31/19.

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Fr. Edward Hess

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Order: OMI
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Hess was one of several accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior. The suit alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD, including sexual abuse by Hess in the late 1940s-early 1950s of a boy and girl, when they were ages 8-10.

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Fr. Donald J. Joyce

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1958
Status: Settled

Died: 01/7/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Charlotte NC

Worked in archdioceses of Washington DC, Boston, dioceses of Buffalo, Grand Rapids, Charlotte, San Antonio. Included on list of accused posted by the Law Offices of Mitchell Garabedian 1/19/11. Garabedian said he settled at least one claim with the Boston archdiocese involving Joyce. Claimant said Joyce fondled and attempted to rape him when he was a Lowell, MA altar boy, ages 11-13, in 1977-79. Joyce was working as Director of Libraries at Oblate College in San Antonio in 2011 and at least since 2002. Order said 1/27/11 he was barred from working as a priest. Omitted from 2011 Boston AD database. Died in 2013. On the Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/19. Accused in 2002 of abuse of a boy 1973-76 at Sacred Heart Catholic Mission in Wadesboro, NC. Accused in two lawsuits filed in 9/19 under the NY Child Victims Act of sexually abusing two boys, both students at Bishop Fallon High School in Buffalo. One claimed abuse at ages 11-13 in 1964-66, and the other at ages 15-18 in 1962-65.

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Fr. Paul Kabat

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 05/31/1999
Diocese: Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN

Worked in the Dioceses of Duluth, Crookston, Belleville IL and in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis. Name released by his order in 7/2015 as part of a 2/2015 settlement. Name added 11/3/2017 by the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese to its list of 19 "priests and religious brothers who have served or spent time in the archdiocese and have substantiated claims of sexual abuse of a minor against them." Left the Oblates in 1989. Died 5/31/1999. Included in 9/2022 on the Belleville diocese's list. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Robert S. Koerner

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1937
Status: Settled

Died: 06/25/1999
Diocese: Diocese of San Diego CA

Worked in TX (1937-41), MT (1956-63) and at St. Patrick's parish in Calipatriam, CA (1963-90). In 10/02 San Diego bishop learned Koerner had molested several minors during his 27-year tenure there. His history was known in the parish for years. Brom apologized to parishioners. Died in 1999 in San Antonio, TX. Name on 3/30/07 San Diego diocese list of priests with credible allegations. Diocesan personnel file released 10/25/10. Order's personnel files released 7/13 show he admitted fondling and kissing boys and girls. Named in three lawsuits in 2003, and four other settlements. Suit filed in 1/20 under the CA Child Victims Act by five men, each alleging abuse by Koerner 1965-late 1980s.

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Fr. Robert Leising

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1990
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau AK

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Anchorage archdiocese on its list 1/16/20. Worked in parishes in Homer, Soldotna, Kenai and Ninilchik. Allegedly viewed child pornography in 2015. Returned to the Oblates in 2016.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Anchorage List 01.16.20

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Fr. James L. Liberty

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Died: 07/4/1995
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Accused of abuse of an 18-year-old girl in the 1980s. He was working as a marriage and family counselor with Catholic Family Services in Norwich at the time of the alleged abuse. She had gone to him for counseling after the death of her brother. Liberty died in 7/1995.

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Fr. Albert Lirette

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 03/4/2004
Diocese: Diocese of Manchester NH

Accused in 12/03 of fondling and molesting a boy aged 13 or 14 in 1950. Alleged abuse occurred at home of priest's mother in Manchester. Same man also made allegations against Fr. J. Delphin Gagne. Lirette died in 2004.

Sources:

NH AG Audit Records 03.26.09

Fr. Carlos Lozano

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1993
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Antonio TX

Oblate brother for several years prior to ordination. Convicted 1994 for abuse of 4 boys. Sentenced to 30 days in jail and 10 years probation (deferred adjudication). Civil suit filed 1994. Left priesthood in 1994. One victim died by suicide in 1997. Shortly before probation ended in 2004, Lozano was arrested for computer pornography; judge sentenced him to 20 years in prison for each of 4 prior convictions (to be served concurrently). On archdiocese's list 1/31/19. It notes 7 allegations. Lozano was laicized in 2003 and died in prison.

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Fr. Ruben D. Martinez

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1968
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Accused of abuse of seven minors, occurring in 1970-1981, per the L.A. archdiocesan report. Spent time in treatment in the early 1990s at Via Coeli in Jemez Springs, NM. At least two civil suits were filed in 12/2003. Working in the Oakland diocese in 2003. Eight lawsuits settled in 2007. Personnel files released by Order 7/31/2013 show some allegations written in Japanese characters to disguise references to acknowledgement of homosexuality and admitting to relations with boys. Admitted in 2005 to abusing as many as 100 boys. May have traveled to Mexico and abused there. In 2013 possibly living at the Vianney Renewal Center in Dittmer MO, or in Oakland. On the Oakland diocese's list in 2019.

Fr. Donald J. McGurrin

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1944
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Boston MA

Accused by two women in a 2002 lawsuit of abusing them when they were minors 1978-80, at Sacred Heart in Lowell. McGurrin died in 1993. The suit involved multiple plaintiffs and named multiple priests as defendants. Attorney Durso said that all claims were settled. Omitted from 2011 Boston AD database.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Jon McMahon

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1975
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Antonio TX

Named publicly as accused by the San Antonio archdiocese on its list 1/31/19. Worked at the archdiocesan high school seminary in the 1970s. Two known credible allegations against him. Laicized in 2002.

Sources:

Archdiocese of San Antonio List 01.31.19

Fr. James P. McSorley

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1946
Status: Settled

Died: 05/27/2005
Diocese: Archdiocese of Portland OR

Philippines missionary for 15 years, then moved often. Worked in Dioceses of Oakland CA, Monterey CA, Boise City ID, Great Falls-Billings MT, and Archdioceses of Los Angeles CA, Portland OR, Seattle WA, Miami FL, and as an Army chaplain in Germany. Last name sometimes spelled "McSorely" in the Catholic Directories. Accused in 2002 suit of molesting a boy in 1964 at St. Alice's in Springfield, OR. Also accused of abuse in 1960s when in Germany. Archdiocese paid $100K to settle a claim in 2003. In 2018 a man told reporters McSorley abused him and other boys in Boise when he was age 12, 1971-72. He said he told the diocese in 1993 and again in 2000. McSorley died 5/27/05 . Name included on Seattle archdiocese's list 1/15/16. On Oakland diocese's list in 2019. On Boise's list 10/19.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Thomas Gregory Meyer

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Died: 09/7/2012
Diocese: Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN

Worked in the dioceses of Belleville and Springfield IL, Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO, Green Bay WI, St. Paul and Minneapolis, and Duluth MN. Died 7/7/2012. Name released by Order in 7/2015 as part of a 2/2015 settlement. (The list shows his death year as 2013, contradicting the Catholic Directory). Name added 11/3/2017 by St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese to list of 19 "priests and religious brothers who have served or spent time in the archdiocese and have substantiated claims of sexual abuse of a minor against them." On the Springfield-Cape Girardeau list 4/1/2019. It notes an incident in 1969-1970, reported in 2012. On the Diocese of Belleville's list 9/20/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Galeb Mokarzel

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Antonio TX

Named publicly as credibly accused by the San Antonio archdiocese on its list 1/31/19. Also on the San Angelo diocese's list 2/13/19. Accused of abuse of a teenage boy at St. Ann's in Midland in the 1960s. Allegedly "molested, kissed and fondled" the boy over a ten-year period, beginning when the boy was a student at St. Anthony High School Seminary in San Antonio. Mokarzel allegedly stalked and "finally sexually assaulted him." Removed from ministry by his Order. Retired without ministry in 1997. Living under supervision in 2019 at an Oblate's retirement facility in San Antonio. Said to have died in 2021.

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Fr. Thomas Morrin

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1939
Status: Accused

Died: 07/27/1967
Diocese: Diocese of Rockville Centre NY

Named publicly as accused by the Rockville Centre diocese on its list of accused in 3/21. Per the list, the abuse occurred at a private home on Long Island. No time-frame shown. Worked in MA, NC, VA, OH, NY. Died 7/27/67 in Boston.

Assignments:

Diocese of Rockville Centre List 03.18.21

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Fr. Orville Lawrence Munie

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1931
Status: Accused

Died: 10/3/1993
Diocese: Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN

Died in 1993. Named publicly by the Order as credibly accused in 7/2015. Added 7/3/2017 by St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese to list of "priests and religious brothers who have served or spent time in the archdiocese and have substantiated claims of sexual abuse of a minor against them." On Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese's list updated 4/1/2019. It notes abuse 1971-1975, reported in 2015. On the La Crosse diocese's list 1/18/2020. On Peoria's list by 1/2020. On the Belleville diocese's list 9/20/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Joseph L. Murphy

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1936
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Accused of abuse of a minor at St. Ferdinand's in San Fernando 1957-60, per archdiocesan report addendum of 11/05. Also worked in the Oakland diocese. Died 3/75. Personnel file was released by the order 7/13 but does not include information on alleged abuse.

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Fr. Emmett Neville

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Order: OMI
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Named publicly as accused by the Great Falls-Billings diocese on its list 8/21/18.

Sources:

Diocese of Great Falls-Billings List 08.21.18

Fr. John Pohlen

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1923
Status: Sued

Died: 02/24/1969
Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Pohlen was one of several accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior. The suit alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD; three men and two women claimed Pohlen, who was head of the orphanage, abused them as children in the 1950s. Died in 1969.

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Fr. Alfredo Prado

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Antonio TX

Per Order, Prado was stripped of all clerical authority in 1991 after accusations that he abused boys, and because of his theological opinions. At least five known alleged victims; civil suit filed 2/04. As of 1/03 Prado was celebrating mass and marrying couples in Costa Rica (without official permission). Child welfare agency in Costa Rica were investigating circumstances of two minors living on the grounds of the "Sanctuary" operated by a "doomsday group." On Corpus Christi diocese's list 1/31/19. On Amarillo and Victora diocese's and San Antonio archdiocese's lists 1/31/19. "Event" alleged to have occurred in the Amarillo diocese when Prado was conducting a mission. On San Angelo diocese's list 2/13/19. Laicized in 2006. Deceased.

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Fr. Raymond A. Prybis

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1967
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Boston MA

Accused in 1992 of exposing himself to a 14- or 15-year-old boy in a Boston parish in the mid-1980s and having the boy beat him with a belt while Prybis was naked. Prybis worked at schools and parishes in the Dioceses of Buffalo NY, Grand Rapids MI Harrisburg PA and the Archdioceses of Miami FL, Washington DC, Boston MA, and St. Paul-Minneapolis MN. In 7/2016 Prybis' Order reportedly said he was living under supervision in a home for priests. Included on the Harrisburg diocese's 8/1/2018 list; no known allegations there. On the Belleville diocese's list 9/20/2022.

Assignments:

Detailed BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Joseph J. Pucci

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1941
Status: Settled

Died: 10/12/2000
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

Worked in the Archdioceses of Seattle, Indianapolis and Newark, and the Dioceses of Trenton, Richmond, Youngstown, Toledo and Palm Beach. Accused by two women of molesting them when they were young teenagers in the 1950s. One woman came forward in 2002; Oblate representatives acknowledged the complaints. Per news in 6/2002, a man reported that Pucci molested him as a child in 1980 at a rectory in Palm Beach, FL. He told his family in 1993 and they reported it to Palm Beach Bishop Symons and to police. No record of complaint at either place. Pucci retired in 1994 and died in 2000 in West Palm Beach. (In 1998 Symons resigned after admitting that he abused a boy early in his priesthood; he later admitted to abusing four other boys.) Subject of settlement(s). Included on the Diocese of Richmond's list of those with allegations of abuse occurring in the diocese.

Assignments:

Garabedian Law Assignment Record

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Fr. Robert Reitmeier

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1971
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 7/2015. Included on the Duluth diocese's list in 12/2015. Assigned to Sts. Jean and Clement in Duluth 6/22/1971-9/1/1975. Also worked in Sisseton SD, St. Paul MN, St. Louis MO and Chicago IL. Left the Order in 1992. Laicized 9/8/2007. Added to the St. Paul and Minneapolis archdiocese's list 9/28/2018. 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:

Oblates of Mary Immaculate Central Province List 07.06.15
Oblates of Mary Immaculate Central Province Statement 07.06.15
Diocese of Duluth List updated 12.03.15
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis List 09.28.18
Archdiocese of Chicago List 11.17.22
IL Attorney General’s Report 05.23.23

Fr. James Rellihan

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Crookston MN

Named publicly as credibly accused of abuse of a minor(s) by the Crookston diocese on its list sometime after 9/21/17. Worked in the diocese 1986-92.

Assignments:

Diocese of Crookston List accessed 01.26.20

Sources:

Diocese of Crookston List accessed 01.26.20

Fr. Lucien J. Richard

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1954
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Boston MA

Sued in 11/05. Accused of abuse of the twin daughters that he admittedly fathered. "Affair" began when the girls' mother was a student at Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge in the late 1970s and he was her professor. It continued for several years until the girls were born in 1985. He become a professor at Boston University. He said he paid child support regularly and never abused the girls. Order knew of the girls from the time of their birth.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. James P. Robichaud

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1979
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Boston MA

Moved to ME in 2000; incardinated into the Portland ME diocese in 2003. In 2008 allegations arose that he had sexually abused a girl around 1979 when he was working at St. Jean-Baptiste parish in Lowell, MA. Allegations known for five months before he was placed on leave 6/26/08. He died by suicide the same night. Portland refused to pursue investigation after his death. Omitted from the 2011 Boston AD database. In 4/12 Attorney Garabedian announced a recent settlement of at least one claim regarding Robichaud.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. George Roulier

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 05/13/1986
Diocese: Archdiocese of Boston MA

Accused in 2002 in MA of repeatedly hugging a boy and of putting his hands in the boy's pants once in 1983. Alleged victim says he was about 11, but he was 15 when Roulier first came to the parish. Assigned there 1983-87. Also accused in 8/04 of sexual abuse of a youth, about age 10, at Immaculate Conception in Nashua NH in 1979. In 12/05 a woman told the diocese that Roulier molested her in 1979-80. Possibly a third accuser in NH. Roulier died 5/13/86. Omitted from 2011 Boston AD database.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Emmett Gilroy Schaller

Order: OMI
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Accused of abuse of one person 1979-80 per 2004 archdiocesan report. May have left priesthood. Accused in one civil suit of abusing a boy at St. Ferdinand's parish. Admitted during treatment that he had been in trouble due to his sexual behavior. Order released his personnel file 7/13.

Assignments:

LA Times Database 04.20.06

Sources:

LA Archdiocesan Report 02.17.04
Contra Costa Times 07.31.13

Fr. Roger Schoenhofen

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1966
Status: Sued

Died: 02/25/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Accused in a 1995 civil suit of sexually abusing a student at St. Henry's Preparatory Seminary. Per the lawsuit, Schoenhofen was among three Belleville priests, a deacon and two O.M.I. priests who abused the plaintiff. The lawsuit claimed a ring of homosexual priests lured young men and wined and dined them in exchange for sex. Schoenhofen was assigned to the Preparatory Seminary 1967-84. He was still an active priest in Alton, IL in 2008. He died 2/25/09.

Sources:

Fr. George St. Jean

Order: OMI
Status: Settled

Died: 09/19/1982
Diocese: Diocese of Manchester NH

NH Audit shows two reports of same abuse: 1) alleged in 1/04 to the diocese by victim; and 2) reported in 3/08 by victim's sister to Oblates. Boy said he was abused at priest's family camp in MA in 1960 or 1961. Manchester said allegation was Boston issue; St. Jean was not in Manchester diocesan ministry, but Directory has him assigned at Colebrook NH shrine in 1960. Died in 9/82. New suit filed 5/10 and another filed 7/21/10. Plaintiff in 5/10 suit was murdered 9/9/11. Both suits settledin 9/12. On Norwich diocese's list 2/22/19. It notes he left the diocese in 1962.

Sources:

Fr. Roland H. St. Pierre

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1952
Status: Sued

Died: 02/3/2010
Diocese: Diocese of Ogdensburg NY

Accused, along with Rev. Joseph Conti, in a lawsuit filed 4/1/21 of sexually abusing a boy, beginning when the boy was age 4 in 1968 and ending in the early 1970s when the boy was 8. St. Pierre was pastor of St. Peter's in Plattsburgh during the time in question. Per the plaintiff, the abuse included sodomy and took place in a wooded area. The priests are said to have taken turns abusing the boy while the other would watch. St. Pierre was mayor of Plattsbugh 1972-77. He died 2/13/10.

Sources:

Fr. Donald L. Stavinoha

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1970
Status: Convicted

Died: 03/27/2007
Diocese: Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston TX

Worked in the Dioceses of Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Galveston-Houston in TX and in the Diocese of Tehuantepec in Oaxaca, Mexico. In 1986 a police officer caught Stavinoha performing a sex act on a young boy in a church van in Houston. The boy said it had happened before. Diocese removed Stanihova's privileges and sent him to therapy. Pleaded guilty in 1988. Sentenced to 10 years in jail; released 3/14/1991 and put on probation. Civil suit filed, settled, and sealed. Returned under supervision to his Order in San Antonio. In 2002 was known to be living at RECON, a MO treatment center. Died 3/27/2007 in Houston, per Oblate newsletter. On Galveston-Houston Archdiocese's list 1/31/2019.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Roger Temme

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

First named publicly as accused on the New Orleans archdiocese's list 11/16/18. Allegation noted to have been received in 1995, of abuse in the late 1970s. Worked at Ave Maria Retreat House in Lafitte, and at Our Lady of Guadalupe in New Orleans.

Sources:

Archdiocese of New Orleans list 11.02.18

Fr. Joseph Thibaudeau

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1896
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Duluth MN

On 12/31/2013 the diocese released its list of 17 clergy, including Thibaudeau, who had been credibly accused of the sexual abuse of young persons while serving in the diocese, and another five who had been accused while residing in the diocese at some time. Thibaudeau was assigned to St. Jean's in Duluth from 6/1910 to sometime in 1943. He died in 1946 in Manitoba, Canada. An allegation made against him at some point after his death.

Assignments:

Diocese of Duluth Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Eugene Turcotte

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Order: OMI
Status: Accused

Died: 01/16/1968
Diocese: Diocese of Manchester NH

A woman notified the diocese in 3/05 that Turcotte molested her 1949-53 when she was ages 4-8. Directory shows him assigned to an Oblate retreat house in Augusta ME for some of the time at issue; he was visiting family in Nashua when he allegedly perpetrated the abuse. Turcotte died in 1/68.

Sources:

NH AG Audit Records 03.26.09

Fr. Emil Twardochleb

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1923
Status: Sued

Died: 01/12/1976
Diocese: Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN

From Romania. Worked in Canada, IL, MO, MN, WI, NE. Name released by Attorney Jeff Anderson and Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis 2/11/2015 among clergy with claims against them of sex abuse of minors. Included on the Order's list 7/6/2015. Included on the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese's list updated 4/1/2019, which notes incidents 1971-1975 reported in 2015. Died in 1976. On Diocese of Belleville's list 9/20/2022. Named in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Jeff Anderson & Associates Timeline

Sources:

Fr. Bernard Vedder

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

Named publicly as accused by the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese on its list updated 4/1/19. It notes alleged abuse occurring in the 1960s reported in 1995. Per the list, Vedder died in 1993.

Sources:

Fr. John J. Walsh

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1940
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Boston MA

On 12/18/03 a woman reported to the Boston archdiocese that Walsh sexually abused her twice in 1973 or 1974, when she was age 13 or 14, at Sacred Heart in Lowell, MA. The archdiocese submitted the report to the MA AG and county DA. On 7/22/07 the Oblates and the archdiocese agreed to pay $60K to resolve the claim and compensate for injury. Walsh was moved often during his career, working in many dioceses. He died 4/24/81. Omitted from 2011 Boston AD database. Added to Columbus diocese's list 5/23/19.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Report to Boston Archdiocese and MA AG 12.18.03
Settlement 07.22.07
Boston Globe 11.20.11
Columbus Dispatch 05.30.19

Fr. Gerard Martin Weber

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Order: OMI
Ordained: 1962
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston TX

Named publicly as accused by the Galveston-Houston archdiocese on its list 6/13/2019. Removed from ministry in 2011. Included on the Diocese of Belleville's 9/20/2022 list, as Gerald M. Weber. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Sources:

Fr. Francis Zachman

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Died: 07/29/1983
Diocese: Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN

Name first released on archdiocese's 5/22/14 revised list of accused priests and brothers. Worked in the archdiocese 1973-1982. Assignments included pastor at Assumption in Richfield 1973-1981, as administrator at St. Albert in Albertville, at St. George in Long Lake and as associate pastor at St. Casimir in St. Paul. Accused in 4/82 of sexual abuse of a minor female. Died in 1983. NOTE: List and articles refer to him as a Franciscan TOR but research indicates he was actually an Oblate priest (OMI).

Assignments:

Assignment Record by Archdiocese of St. Paul