5 Accused in This Religious Order
Sr. Marlene Bertke
A former student nun filed a lawsuit in 10/2002 alleging that she was abused in 1959 in her first year at St. Walburg Convent by Sister Christopher, whose given name is Marlene Bertke. The student was 18 at the time. In the same suit, the woman also alleged that she had been previously abused at Villa Madonna Academy (a girls' school) by another nun and that a third nun also fondled her. Bertke transferred in 1974 from KY to the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, PA.
Sr. Mary Eugene Imbus
Given name Rosemary Imbus. Included on the Diocese of Covington's list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Worked at Villa Madonna Academy 1955-1958. Dispensed from vows 6/3/1966. Went on to marry, known then as Rosemary Stauss. Died 4/15/2005.
Sr. M. Stella Ochs
Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 1/2/2023. Shown to be under investigation. Died in 10/1988.
Sr. Rosaria Riter
Given name Ruth Marie Riter. Member of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago. Taught in the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Diocese of Pueblo, the Diocese of Tucson and St. Scholastica Academy in Chicago and Canon City CO. Died in 1996. In 11/2003 the Diocese of Tucson announced credible sexual abuse allegations against Sr. Riter of abuse of a boy dating back to 1949-1953, when was a Sacred Heart School faculty member. Allegations were reported to police. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused.
Sr. Agnes
In a 1991 or 1992 lawsuit, a woman age 57 claimed sexual, physical, and emotional abuse as a child by Sister Agnes, a teacher in the elementary school of Immaculate Heart of Mary church in San Antonio. The lawsuit named the archdiocese, the Benedictine Sisters, who staffed the school, and the Claretian Missionaries, who staffed the parish. The Benedictine Sisters are listed in the 1945 Official Catholic Directory as Benedictine Sisters of Diocesan Jurisdiction, who also maintained a Motherhouse and Novitiate of Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica's Convent in San Antonio. The complaint stated that the girl reported the abuse in confession with two priests of the parish: Fr. Leonard Cuellar CMF and Fr. Raymond Sunyé CMF (the pastor). After an injury in Spring 1990, a CAT scan caused the woman to react with fear and hysteria. Referred to a psychiatrist, she recovered memories of the abuse that had previously been repressed. A lower court dismissed the suit. Appeals court affirmed the dismissal in February 1994.