Oblates of St Francis de Sales – OSFS - BishopAccountability.org

32 Accused in This Religious Order

Fr. Joseph M. Baraniewicz

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Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Died: 02/24/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Salt Lake City UT

Worked in the Salt Lake diocese 1974-90. Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 12/4/18. Incident(s) of "holding children on lap, kissing, hugging children 10/25/90 reported to diocese 10/26/90. Sent for alcohol treatment, returned to Order. Died 2/24/12.

Sources:

Diocese of Salt Lake City List 12.04.18

Fr. Lehr J. Barkenquest

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1964
Status: Accused

Died: 01/4/2019
Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

Died 1/4/19. Named in a lawsuit filed in 8/19 as having sexually abused a male student in the early to mid-1970s at St. Francis DeSales High School in Lockport, NY. Barkenquest's accuser claims he told a school administrator at the time, but nothing was done. Added to the Lansing diocese's list in 2020, where he worked 1991-2013; at least one credible allegation of abuse during his time in the diocese; was pastor of St. Rita's in Clarklake.

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Fr. James J. Behan

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1973
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Philadelphia PA

Placed on leave in 4/02 by Raleigh bishop after "credible allegation" of abuse 25 years prior. Behan admitted to the allegations in 2005; convicted and sentenced to 12 years probation. The abuse occurred 1978-1980, when Behan was a Northeast Catholic High teacher in Philadelphia. His victim was a 15-year-old boy and freshman at the school when the abuse began. Incidents took place in the rectory of a Germantown parish and on trips to North Carolina and Quebec. Behan worked in Raleigh 1980-2002. He was the only priest indicted by the Philly Grand Jury. On MD sex offender registry 7/10. On Raleigh diocese's list in 10/18.

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Br. Robert Drelich

Order: OSFS
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD

The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales in DE and PA announced a settlement on 8/4/2011 with 40 victims of sexual abuse who filed suits in DE. Plaintiffs to share in $24.8M settlement as well as 150 victims who settled earlier with the Wilmington diocese. One of the terms was that the Order release names of 12 Oblates with substantiated allegations of abuse. Drelich is one of the 12. Removed from ministry in 2010. Living in 2011 in a monitored location in MD.

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Fr. Gerald M. Dunne

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1977
Status: Reinstated

Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD

Placed on leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia after a lawsuit was filed in 6/2009 in Delaware alleging abuse of a youth approximately 30 years prior at Salesianum High School in Wilmington. Dunne had passed both the Archdiocesan and Order's screening procedures. He denied the allegation. Reportedly reinstated to ministry in 2015, the Order stating that Dunne was exonerated from a false claim.

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Fr. Charles F. Engelhardt

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1977
Status: Convicted

Died: 11/16/2014
Diocese: Archdiocese of Philadelphia PA

Named in report and presentment by Philadelphia Grand Jury 2/10/11. Accused, along with another priest and a teacher, of orally sodomizing and molesting a 10-year-old boy in 1998 or '99 at St. Jerome's in Philly. Remained at another parish for two years after 2009 complaint and order from Archdiocese to leave assignment. Surrendered to police 2/10/11. Refused plea agreement 6/11. New civil suit filed 7/11. Criminal trial started 1/7/13. Defendants did not testify. Found guilty 1/30/13. Arrested. Request for new trial filed with PA Superior Court 7/14 by counsel for Engelhardt and for teacher Bernard Shero, based on new evidence about a new witness who could have supported defense and discredited the main witness. Engelhardt died in prison 11/16/14.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Murty M. Fahy

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1958
Status: Sued

Died: 03/2/2001
Diocese: Diocese of Stockton CA

Associate pastor at St. Anne's Church, Lodi 8/85-3/01. Also teacher at St. Mary High School 1970-85. Accused in 2006 of abuse of a girl in the mid-1990s at his church's elementary school. Police conducted investigation but were unable to substantiate the allegations. Diocese officials still investigating as of 01/07. Civil suit filed in 12/06 by a woman alleging abuse age 5-11. Plaintiff dismissed suit 11/07. Fahy died 3/2/01. Name included on list of claimed abusers attached to Stockton diocese's 5/9/14 filing in bankruptcy court.

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Fr. Albert J. Gondek

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1966
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Raleigh NC

Member of Wilmington-Philadelphia Province of Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Known to have worked in DE, PA, NC, FL dioceses. A 30-year-old man told the Raleigh diocese in 1993 that Gondek sexually assaulted him during confession in Wilmington, NC. Order said it had Gondek undergo counseling. Kept in ministry. The man wrote to the Charlotte diocese years later, after Gondek's transfer there. Pastor of Lexington, NC parish beginning 1998. In 10/07 a man alleged Gondek molested him as a teen at a MD summer camp in 1960, when Gondek was a seminarian. Placed on leave; reinstated 12/07 after cleared by investigators. Suspended 12/15, after man said Gondek sexually abused him at age 18 and others who were minors 5 years prior. Criminal investigation initiated. On Raleigh diocese's list in 10/18. Not on Raleigh's list updated in 3/21.

Assignments:

The Dispatch 12.20.15

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Fr. Richard N. Grant

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1968
Status: Settled

Died: 02/4/1993
Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD

Accused in a suit filed in 4/2009 of repeated sexual abuse of a high school boy in 1982-1984, starting when the boy was 16. The principal of the school, James W. O'Neill (accused by another student), apparently knew about the abuse. Grant reportedly became a parish priest in FL in 1992 and died of AIDS in 1993. Name released as part of the Oblates' $24.8M settlement with 40 individuals in 8/2011. Assigned at one time to Salesianum School.

Assignments:

Findagrave Assignment Record

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Fr. David I. Hagan

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1966
Status: Sued

Died: 05/1/2005
Diocese: Archdiocese of Philadelphia PA

Worked at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, VA in the Richmond diocese 1967-71. Assigned to Sacred Heart College in Belmont, NC in the Charlotte diocese as chaplain and theology teacher 1971-78. Transferred to his order's Philadelphia Innder City House, where he appears to have remained until his death 5/1/05. Accused in 6/06 RICO class action civil suit of abusing two brothers for three years, beginning in 1977 or 1978, early in his Inner City House ministry in North Philadelphia. RICO suit dismissed 11/06 on grounds that RICO's standard of injury to business or property had not been met. Appeal rejected by 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals 11/07.

Assignments:

BishopAccountability Assignment Record

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Fr. John X. Harvey

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1957
Status: Settled

Died: 09/29/1971
Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD

The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales in DE and PA announced a settlement on 8/4/2011 with 40 victims of sexual abuse who filed suits in DE. The plaintiffs were to share in the $24.8M settlement as well as 150 victims who settled earlier with the Wilmington diocese. One of the terms was that the Order release names of 12 Oblates with substantiated allegations of abuse. Harvey was one of the 12. He died in 1971. of Assignments included Salesianum School.

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Fr. John F. Heckel

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1944
Status: Settled

Died: 06/21/2002
Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD

Assigned to St. Anthony of Padua in Wilmington 1960-1961. Accused of abuse by one person at Salesianum High School in 1969 in a suit filed 6/15/2009. Died 6/21/2002. The Order in DE and PA announced a settlement in 8/4/2011 with 40 victims of who filed suits in DE. The plaintiffs were to share in the $24.8M settlement along with 150 victims who settled earlier with Wilmington Diocese. One of the terms was that the Order release names of 12 Oblates with substantiated allegations of abuse. Heckel (spelled Heckle) was on the list.

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Fr. Harold F. Hermley

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1957
Status: Settled

Died: 02/10/1983
Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD

Taught at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, VA 1964-1967; removed after possible allegations. Transferred to Philadelphia in 1972. Accused in a 4/2009 civil suit of abusing a boy 1970-1973, while the boy was a student at Salesianum School and during overnight visits to NJ and Philadelphia. The Order in DE and PA announced a $24.8M settlement 8/4/2011 with 40 victims who filed suits in DE. One of the terms was the release of the names of 12 Oblates with substantiated allegations of abuse. Hermley was on the list. He died in 1983.

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Fr. Robert J. Hermley

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1955
Status: Convicted

Died: 08/30/2009
Diocese: Archdiocese of Philadelphia PA

Accused in 2003 of abuse of boy in Philadelphia 1976-80. Reported in 1987 to his Order for having abused a youth in the early 1980s in NJ. Convicted in 1982 in PA of indecent assault of boys, ages 13 and 14, during Wilmington assignment. Received three years probation. Reinstated to ministry same year in VA. Retired in 2003. Named in Philadelphia Grand Jury report. Died 8/30/09. Name released as part of 8/11 Oblate $24.8M settlement with 40 individuals.

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Fr. Dennis Killion

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1980
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD

Removed in 8/2008 when civil suit(s) alleged abuse of four boys at Salesianum High in Wilmington in the mid-1980s. Two reported abuse at the time; Order did nothing. Worked in MD and in Ft. Meyers FL at Bishop Verot High 2006-2008. Had just been assigned to St. Bedethe Venerable in Holland PA when allegations were made. More suits were filed in 9/2008-4/2010. All claims with the Diocese settled in 2/2011. Two men settled with the Oblates in 2/2011 for $700K each. Name released as part of the Order's 8/2011 $24.8M settlement with 40 individuals.

Fr. William W. Lanphear

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1963
Status: Settled

Died: 06/19/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

Ordained for the Diocese of Buffalo, later became a priest of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. The diocese settled with a man in 2018 who claimed Lanphear sexually abused him in the 1990s. Accused in a lawsuit filed 9/23/19 under the NY Child Victims Act of sexually abusing a child, ages 14-18, in 1971-74 at St. Bernard Parish. Included on the Diocese of Buffalo's list updated 11/5/19. Multiple allegations. Died 6/19/08.

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Fr. Charles LaPenta

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 08/1/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Salt Lake City UT

Named publicly as accused on the Salt Lake City diocese's list 12/4/18. Noted to have been accused in 11/06 of kissing a minor 1972-1976+. LaPenta worked in the diocese 1970-96. LaPenta was living in a nursing facility run by his Order in 2006, diagnosed with dementia. Died in OH 8/1/09. Per his obituary he was a high school teacher, guidance counselor and administrator. He worked at his Order's schools in DE, PA, NY and UT. Chaplain to the Royal family of Monaco in the 1960s. Also U.S. Army chaplain in UT and pastor of two parishes.

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Fr. George A. Mahoney

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1925
Status: Sued

Died: 02/20/1971
Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD

Studied at Oblate Scholasticate at Albano, Italy. Ordained in Rome in 1925. Assigned in 1926 to Northeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia PA while assisting at St. Anthony's in Wilmington DE on weekends. Superior and principal in 1931-1937 of Salesianum School in DE. Returned to Northeast Catholic; appointed superior of his order's community there in 1943. Superior and principal of Bishop Duffy High School in Niagara Falls NY 1949-1956, then administrator of Mother of Sorrows Parish in Centreville DE 1956-1969. Chaplain to Our Lady of Grace Home in Ogletown DE briefly in 1970. Died 2/22/1971. Accused in a 6/2024 lawsuit by a woman, age 74, of sexually abusing her and another girl at Our Mother of Sorrows in 1960. She was 10 years-old. Per the lawsuit, Mahoney invited her and three other girls to help him count the Sunday offering after mass. The priest then took her and another girl to his room in the rectory and sexually assaulted each of them, silencing them by threatening eternal damnation.

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Fr. William T. McCandless

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1994
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Allentown PA

Criminally charged in federal court 12/3/20 with three counts of child pornography offenses. McCandless reportedly knew of the investigation for over three years. He lost his job as a counselor at DeSales University in 10/17 due to the investigation. McCandless worked at a parish in Monaco 2010-2017, and was an advisor to the royal family. He allegedly collected thousands of child abuse images while in Monaco and added to his collection in the U.S. Prior to leaving for Monaco in 2010, he was accused of admitting to abusing a 14-year-old French boy. Pleaded guilty in 7/22 to one child pornography charge. Sentenced to 37 months in prison and 15 years of supervised release. After release, to live under supervision with his Order. Was to also register as a sex offender.

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Fr. John M. McDevitt

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1966
Status: Settled

Died: 10/3/1999
Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD

"Jack." Accused in a 4/2009 civil suit of abusing a student at Salesianum School in Wilmington during the student's junior year 1985-1986. The plaintiff also alleged abuse by Dennis Killion. Worked in DE, PA and NJ. Died in 10/1999. In 6/2009, a nephew of Cardinal John J. O'Connor of NY filed suit in DE alleging abuse by McDevitt in Philadelphia in the early 1990s. This was after the Order had already removed McDevitt from a school. Name released as part of the Order's 8/2011 $24.8M settlement with 40 individuals. Name included on the Harrisburg diocese's 8/1/2018 list, accused after his death of having kissed a child. Included in the PA Grand Jury Report 8/13/2018.

Fr. Harold V. McGovern

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1970
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales in De and PA announced settlement 8/4/2011 with 40 victims who filed suits in DE. Plaintiffs to share in $24.8M settlement as will 150 who settled earlier with the Wilmington diocese. One of the terms was that Order release names of 12 Oblates with substantiated allegations of abuse. McGovern is one of the 12. Assigned in MD, WDC, DE, PA, NC. Was pastor and sole priest at Holy Cross church in Kennersville in the Charlotte NC diocese 1980-1986. Not indexed in the Directory in the year before and the year after this assignment. Assigned to a training program in 1988 in Mexico and Uraguay; two years prior and after the training program are shown as unassigned. Involved with missions in Ecuador in 2006. Removed from ministry in 2008. In 2011 was living at DeSales House in Wilmington DE. On Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/2019. Added to the Raleigh diocese's list in 3/2021.

Assignments:

Diocese of Charlotte Assignment Record 12.29.19

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Br. Neil McMenamin

Order: OSFS
Status: Accused

Died: 04/7/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Salt Lake City UT

Named publicly as accused on the Salt Lake City diocese's list 12/4/18. Diocese noted it received a allegation 3/13/07 that McMenamin sexually abused a minor in 1962. Reported to Order 3/07. McMenamin died 4/7/15. Per his obituary, he joined his Order in 1958. Assigned to Northeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia 1959-62, Judge Memorial High School in to Salt Lake City 1962-71, then St. Mary's High School in Stockton CA 1971. There until 2010. Lived in Order's community in Childs MD 2010 until his death.

Assignments:

Diocese of Stockton Revised List 11.12.20

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Fr. Francis L. Norris

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1956
Status: Settled

Died: 03/24/1985
Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD

A lawsuit filed 11/30/2007 claimed Norris attempted to rape a boy attending Salesianum School 1962. The suit alleged that the School, Order and Diocese had prior knowledge of abuse by Norris. He died in 1985. In 4/2009 three more plaintiffs filed suit claiming abuse at Salesianum. The case against the Diocese settled 10/30/2009. A jury found the Order liable in 11/2009 but awarded no damages. New trial ordered 2/22/2011. Name released as part of the Order's $24.8M settlement with 40 individuals in 8/2011 .

Fr. James W. O’Neill

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1967
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD

Removed from ministry in 2003. Accused in a 2004 DE lawsuit of abuse of a youth 1976-1985. Moved to Philadelphia in 1985 after complaint. Working in Charlotte, NC when the suit was filed. In 12/2006, a court ruled that the suit could go forward but not on the original claim from 1985. O'Neill did not appear for a deposition because he was working in South Africa. He admitted the abuse. The Order settled in 3/2008. The Diocese settled in 5/2008. O'Neill's name was released as part of the Order's 8/2011 $24.8M settlement with 40 individuals. Was living in a monitored setting. Included on the Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/2019.

Fr. Thomas P. O’Neill

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Died: 09/21/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Salt Lake City UT

Accused 4/25/02 of sexually abusing a boy 1963-67 in the early 1960s, while assigned to Judge Memorial School in Salt Lake City. O'Neill was at the school 1957-70, principal 1962-70. Principal of St. Mary's HS in Stockton CA diocese 1970-78. Removed 5/02 from St. Francis de Sales HS in Toledo OH diocese where he moved in 1978. Taught at Father Judge HS in Philadelphia PA in late 1950s. Named in 2003 suit as having knowledge of abuse by James Rapp. Suit dismissed on SOL 8/03. Died 09/21/15. On Diocese of Salt Lake City's list 12/4/18. Added to Stockton's list 11/12/20.

Assignments:

Diocese of Stockton Revised List 11.12.20

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Fr. Henry A. Paul

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1941
Status: Settled

Died: 02/17/1982
Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD

The Order in DE and PA announced a settlement on 8/4/2011 with 40 victims of sexual abuse who filed suits in DE. Plaintiffs to share in a $24.8M settlement and 150 victims who settled earlier with the Wilmington Diocese. One of terms was that Order release the names of 12 Oblates with substantiated allegations of abuse. Paul was one. Assignments included Salesianum School in DE; also worked in Dioceses of Erie, Allentown, Buffalo, and the Archdioceses of Philadelphia and New York. Named in the 8/14/2018 PA Grand Jury Report. Report in 4/1979 to the Allentown Diocese that Paul was molesting little girls at Sacred Heart in New Philadelphia. Another allegation was made a few months later, that Paul molested a young girl. Left the diocese, assigned to St. Joachim in Philadelphia. Died in 1982.

Assignments:

PA Grand Jury Report Profile 08.14.18

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Fr. Mark Plaushin

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1989
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Scranton PA

Placed on leave 7/16/18 after an allegation that he had sexually abused a minor in 1985 in Monroe County PA, prior to ordination. Reported to Scranton diocese, who reported to the D.A. and the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province of Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales. Plaushin denied the allegation. Retired Army chaplain, at Our Mother of Consolation in Chestnut Hill PA parish since 2013. Scout chaplain. Reportedly living in Lithuania.

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Fr. James F. Rapp

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1967
Status: Convicted

Died: 09/6/2024
Diocese: Diocese of Salt Lake City UT

Worked in PA, UT, NY, IL, MI and OK. Teacher, wrestling coach. Accused of abuse of at least two MI boys in 1987. Removed, sent to counseling. Accepted in 1987 into the Joliet diocese by Bishop Imesch, who knew of Rapp's sexual abuse of boys. Also worked in OK; abused boys there. Convicted in 1999 in OK; received a 40-year sentence. Settlement of $5M in an OK civil suit. Accused in a 2003 Utah lawsuit by two brothers; dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Laicized 9/21/2009. Charged in 5/2015 with abuse in the 1980s of boys at Lumen Christi High in Jackson MI. Six more counts added 6/26/2015. Pleaded no contest in 2/2016. Sentenced to up to 40 years 4/29/2016. Included on the Salt Lake City diocese's list 12/4/2018, where he was accused in 11/2000-2002 of abusing four minors 1969-1975. On the Lansing list 9/27/2019. On the OK City diocese's list 10/3/2019, and on the Joliet diocese's list (ordination date wrong). New lawsuit in 10/2020 in UT. A new suit in 11/2020 v the Salt Lake City diocese alleges a nun walked in on Rapp abusing a boy, did nothing, and threatened the boy. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. Died 9/6/2024 in prison.

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Fr. James H. Roth

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1995
Status: Accused

Died: 02/11/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

In 1/2015 a man reported to Roth's order sexual abuse multiple times by the priest when he was a 9- or 10-years-old, fourteen years prior. Roth was removed from position on a Toronto school board. Police informed. Roth died 2/11/2015 of suspected suicide; left a note admitting to the abuse. Was an O.S.F.S. brother for about 20 years prior to his 1995 ordination. Worked at St. Francis de Sales High School in Toledo OH 1976-1987, and 1995-2004 as a teacher, guidance counselor and administrator. Filled in at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception parish in Monroe MI. Also assigned to schools in UT and Ontario, Canada. Victim was younger brother of a St. Francis de Sales High student. Included on the Detroit archdiocese's list of credibly accused 6/10/2019.

Assignments:

East Niagra Post obit 03.26.16

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Fr. Robert M. Rutledge

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1989
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Arlington VA

While a teacher at a Catholic high school, Rutledge was accused of assaulting and emotionally battering a male student beginning in 9/95. The boy became so emotionally upset, particularly after school officials became aware of the abuse and refused to remove Rutledge, that he had to be withdrawn from school. Rutledge left the school in 1996 and began teaching at a College in PA. Civil suit filed in 1997. Settled. Still residing in the diocese per 2008 directory accessed on 7/21/08. In 3/18 noted to be pastor of a parish in the Raleigh NC diocese.

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Fr. Patrick J. Shannon

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1972
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD

Accused in 11/2005 of sexual abuse in 1973 in the Wilmington diocese. Shannon's alleged victim said that the abuse occurred when he was age 16 and a camp counselor in training in MD. The Order found the allegation credible. Shannon was placed on leave and reportedly sent to the Oblates' retirement community in Childs, MD. HIs name was included on the Harrisburg diocese's 8/1/2018 list. Included in the PA Grand Jury Report 8/14/2019.

Assignments:

PA Grand Jury Report Profile 08.14.18

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Fr. Chester John Warren

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1957
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Toledo OH

"Chet." Accused of abusing more than 10 girls, in what Bishop Blair in 2005 called "grievously sinful and criminal acts." Ritual abuse alleged. Settlements exceed $1.2M. Expelled from order in 1993. Barred from a parish and school by court order in 8/2006 after families complained that he was showing up at all hours, sometimes in clerical garb, despite an agreement to attend at only certain hours. Laicized in 2007. Included on the Detroit archdiocese's list of credibly accused 6/10/2019, where he worked 1974-1978. Included on the Toledo diocese's list. Reportedly died in 2021.