Salesians of Don Bosco / Salesian Society – SDB

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Terry McKiernan February 27, 2021

74 Accused in This Religious Order

Br. Jorge Acosta

Order: SDB
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of St. Petersburg FL

Joined seminary at age 17. Left religious life in 1983. Age 46 in 2005 when named as abuser "Br. Jorges Acosta" by two men in a civil suit against the Salesians and Mary Help of Christians School in Tampa. Admitted in a 2/2007 deposition to sexual relations with three students in 1983 when he was teacher and cleric at school. He told the principal about two of the incidents; not reported to law enforcement. A second suit was filed in 4/2007. One settlement was announced in 7/2008. Amount confidential. Acosta developed a career as an actor in Tampa FL and NYC under the name JL Rey. No criminal charges due to the statute of limitations. Included in 3/2020 on the Salesians list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Fr. Paul Avallone

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1950
Status: Accused

Died: 07/31/2008
Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

First named publicly as accused by the New Orleans archdiocese on its list 11/2/2018. Received allegation from Salesians in 2011 of abuse in the archdiocese late 1950s, early 1960s. Died 7/31/2008 in NJ. Per his obituary, he was director-principal of Salesian high schools in Sherbrooke, Quebec and Marrero, LA. Reportedly also worked at Hope Haven in Marrero. Also, director of Salesian High in New Rochelle NY, and superintendent of New Rochelle Province schools. Master of novices at Don Bosco College Seminary in Newton NJ. Spiritual advisor for 18 years of Salesian Cooperators unit in Paterson and the Don Bosco Volunteers. Assistant for two years of St. Anthony's in Paterson, and guidance director and P.R. director at Don Bosco Tech in Paterson.

Assignments:

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Br. Salvatore Billante

Order: SDB
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Abused as many as 25 boys 1969-1989. Pled guilty to abuse of one; sentenced to eight years' prison in 1989. Released in 1994. Registered sex offender. Left the Salesians. Arrested again in 2002 for abuse of one; charges dropped after CA Supreme Court decision. Named in 2003 civil suit. On Oakland diocese's list in 2019. More suits with claims against Billante were filed under the CA Child Victims Act between 2020-2022.

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Br. Francis Boccotti

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Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Paterson NJ

Made his profession as a Salesian brother in 1938. Worked at Don Bosco College in Newton, NJ and at Mary Help of Christians Schools in Tampa, FL. Died in 1994. Boccotti's name was included in 3/2020 on the Salesians' list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Br. Joseph Botto

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Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Died: 01/10/2000
Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

From Italy, where he entered the Salesian order in 1931. Made final vows as a brother in NJ in 1936. Worked at schools in Marrero, LA, Boston MA, Tampa FL, Paterson NJ, Miami FL. The Salesians reportedly received allegations in 2010 against Botto. In 3/2020 Botto's name was included on the Salesians' list of credibly accused. It did not specify number of allegations, gender or age of victim(s) or where the abuse occurred. He died in 2000.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Brother Dennis

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Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Manchester NH

Accused on 2/28/02 of groping a 7-year-old boy at the Salesians' Don Bosco Camp in East Barrington NH in 1970. Allegation became public when NH AG released the demand letter on 3/3/03. The Union Leader's 3/4/03 article incorrectly identifies Br. Dennis a

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Brother Mark

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Order: SDB
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Sued 2003. Accused of abuse 1979-83. Alleged victim died by suicide.

Sources:

Pasadena Star-News 04.23.03

Br. Dave Brueschere

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Order: SDB
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

Named in a 2005 civil suit. One of several religious accused of abuse at Madonna Manor, a Catholic home for troubled children. At least one claim included in an almost $5.2M settlement with Archdiocese in Fall 2009.

Sources:

Times-Picayune 08.25.05
Times Picayune 03.11.10

Br. Robert Burgess

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Order: SDB
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Boston MA

Made his profession as a Salesian brother in 1967. Withdrew from the order in 1976. A plaintiff's attorney notified the Boston DA in 3/2002 that his client had been abused in 1970 by Burgess and another Salesian brother. The abuse by Burgess allegedly occurred on a trip back from a camp in NH and in Burgess' room at rectory in Boston. Documents were included with the Manchester AG report in 3/2003 and the NH AG Audit Report of 3/7/2009. Lawsuit settled. Allegations referred to Suffolk DA. Omitted from the 2011 Boston AD database because he was a member of an Order. Included on the Salesians list of credibly accused in 3/2020.

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Br. William Michael Burke

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1993
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of St. Petersburg FL

Professed vows as a Salesian brother in 1983. Ordained for the order in 1993. Worked in NJ, FL and NY. A 2002 civil suit alleged abuse in 1986-1987. Reported in 1989. Working in a New York religious center until suspension in 2002. Order was dismissed from the suit in 11/2002. At least one other alleged victim later came forward. Possibly living in Virginia as of 7/2005. Included on the Salesians list of credibly accused in 3/2020.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Br. Dominic Casiraghi

Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Made profession as a Salesian brother in 1940. Worked at school in NJ, LA, MA, CA, FL. Died in 1998. Included on the Salesians list in 3/2020 of those with credible accusations against them. Details as to where or when the abuse occurred not given. (We're placing Casiraghi in the NY archdiocese for now, which is where the Salesians' Eastern Province is based.)

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Br. John Casula

Order: SDB
Status: Sued

Died: 08/2/1994
Diocese: Diocese of St. Petersburg FL

From Italy, where he made his profession as a Salesian brother in 1941. Arrived in the U.S. in 1947. Worked in WV, NB Canada, FL and NY. Died in 1994. Accused in a 3/2016 lawsuit of the sexual abuse of boy, ages 12-14, at Mary Help of Christians boarding school for disadvantaged children in Tampa FL, 1976-1978. Per the suit, another student accused Cosula in 1977, but the Salesians did not call police. Between 2002-2016, about 10 other former students alleged abuse by priests and brothers at the school, which closed in 2006. Included on the order's list of credibly accused in 3/2020.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

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Fr. Stanislaus Ceglar

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Order: SDB
Ordained: 1943
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

First named publicly as accused on the New Orleans archdiocese's list 11/2/2018. Allegation received in 2010 of abuse in the 1960s. Reportedly worked at Hope Haven in Marrero. Also worked in MA and ON Canada. Died in 1994. Included in 3/2020 on the Salesians list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

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Fr. James Chiosso

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Order: SDB
Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Died: 01/31/2011
Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

From Italy. Arrived in the U.S. in 1953. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Salesian order on its list 3/31/2020. Worked in NJ, CA, LA, NH, Italy. Died in 1/31/2011. No details as to when or where the abuse occurred. (We're placing Chiosso for now in the NY archdiocese, where the Salesians' Eastern Province is based.)

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Fr. Innocente Clementi

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1949
Status: Settled

Died: 03/19/1999
Diocese: Diocese of St. Petersburg FL

Accused of sexually abusing at least two boys at Mary Help of Christians school, East Lake, FL (boarding school for troubled boys). Claim vs the Eastern U.S. Province of Salesians said to be quietly settled. Also worked in NJ and NY. Died in 1999. Included on the Salesians List of credibly accused in 3/2020.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

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Fr. Pablo Cortes

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Order: SDB
Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Sacramento CA

From El Salvador. Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Sacramento on its list 4/30/19. Worked in the diocese 1970-73. Allegation to diocese in 1990 of abuse in 1970 of a girl younger than 14.

Sources:

Diocese of Sacramento List 04.30.19

Fr. Virendra Coutts

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Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Named publicly as accused by the Oakland diocese on its list in 2019. Doesn't specify if priest or deacon.

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Fr. Paul Csik

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Order: SDB
Ordained: 1932
Status: Accused

Died: 06/20/1970
Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

First named publicly as accused by the New Orleans archdiocese on its list 11/2/2018. Allegation received in 2010 of abuse in the 1960s. Reportedly worked at Hope Haven in Marrero. Also worked in NY, FL, LA. Csik died in 1970. Included on the Salesians list in 3/2020 of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Fr. Bernard Dabbene

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1966
Status: Convicted

Died: 09/9/2010
Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

In 1959 a 9th grade boy at Salesian High School in Richmond CA reported to Dabbene's superior that Dabbene had molested him twice. Dabenne was then a lay brother and a teacher at the school. Dabbene then "left [the boy] alone" and went on to become principal at Salesian schools, and an official with the San Francisco archdiocese. In 1971 allegations were reported to the Diocese of Oakland (formerly part of the SF archdiocese). In 11/2000 Dabbene was arrested after he was found in a car with 17-year-old boy, both with their pants unzipped. Found guilty. Sentenced to three years probation and community service. Sent to St. John Vianney in Philadelphia for treatment. Named in a 2003 civil suit which alleged he was part of a ring of child molesters at Salesian High School 1969-1973. Lived at the Salesian provincial headquarters for years. Died 9/9/2010. Included on the Oakland diocese's list in 2019.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Harold Danielson

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1966
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Associate pastor at Saints Peter and Paul parish in 2005 when accused in a lawsuit of child sex abuse. Denied the allegations. Claims may have been investigated in 2004 by the archdiocesan review board and deemed unsubstantiated, which corroborated the Salesians' findings that the claims were "unsubstantiated." Still active priest at same parish per website accessed 7/11/2011.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Br. Peter Day

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Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of St. Petersburg FL

Professed vows as a Salesian brother in 1961. Named publicly as accused by the Salesian order on its list in 3/2020. Worked at Mary Help of Christians in Tampa. Withdrew in 1965 from the Salesians.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Fr. Vincent Duffy

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 03/21/2009
Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Salesian order on its list in 3/2020. Worked in FL, NJ, NY, MA. Died 3/21/2009. No details given as to when or where the abuse occurred. (We're placing him for now in the Archdiocese of NY, where the Salesians' Eastern Province is based.)

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Br. Mark Epperson

Order: SDB
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Sued. Accused of abuse of a minor between 1980-82 while assigned to Don Bosco Tech High School in San Gabriel. Named in Addendum to L.A. Archdiocese report in 2005. Per the L.A. archdiocese's list in 12/21, Epperson left his order.

Assignments:

LA Times Database 04.20.06

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Fr. Anthony Esposito

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

First named publicly as abused on the New Orleans archdiocese's list 11/2/2018. Allegation received in 2006 of abuse in the 1950s and 1960s. Reportedly worked at Hope Haven in Marrero. Also worked in NY and IN. Included on the Salesians list of credibly accused in 3/2020. Laicized in 1973. Died in 1987.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Fr. Ernest Faggioni

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1947
Status: Settled

Died: 06/14/2006
Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

Fagione or Faggione. Died 6/14/2006. At least one claim included in almost $5.2M settlement with New Orleans archdiocese in Fall 2009. Included on archdiocese's list 11/2/2018. Noted that allegation received in 2006 of abuse in the 1950s and 1960s. Worked at Archbishop Shaw High School, Hope Haven in Marrero and St. John Bosco in Harvey. Also worked in MA and NY, NJ, IN, FL. Included on the Salesians list of credibly accused in 3/2020.

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Br. Justin Guarise

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Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

Professed vows as a Salesian brother in 1954. Worked in LA and NJ. Withdrew in 1963 from the Salesians. The New Orleans archdiocese reportedly received allegations against Guarise in 2010. Included in 3/2020 on the Salesians list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Fr. Joseph Herzog

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Named publicly as accused by the Salesian order on its list in 3/2020. Worked in NY, NJ, OH, IN. Withdrew from the order in 1975, laicized in 1993. Died in 2013. No details as to when or where the abuse occurred. (Placing him for now in the NY archdiocese, where the Salesians' Eastern Province is based.)

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Br. Thomas Higgs

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Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Professed vows as a Salesian brother in 1960. Worked in IN, NY, Sierre Leone. Removed from ministry in 2005. Named publicly as accused by the Salesian order on its list in 3/2020. No details given as to when or where the abuse occurred, or how many victims. (Placing him in the NY archdiocese for now, where the Salesians' Eastern Province is located.)

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Fr. Salvatore “Sam” Isgro

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1962
Status: Indicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

Accused in a 12/18 lawsuit of raping a 17-year-old boy after rendering him dizzy and disoriented, possibly with chloroform, in 1979. The plaintiff said he met the priest at a hospital where he was working to earn money for a class ring. He said he informed Bishop Aymond in 9/18, who said he believed him and put him in touch with a Salesian official, Fr. Stephen Ryan. Ryan and his attorney allegedly told the man "to keep the entire issue quiet" and had him sign an agreement for psychiatric treatment, which they would fund. Isgro died in 1990.

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Fr. Emmanuel Jimenez-Pelayo

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Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Accused of abuse of 1 person in 1975 per 2004 archdiocesan report.

Sources:

LA Archdiocesan Report 02.17.04

Br. Anthony Juarez

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Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Accused of abuse of one person between 1958-1958, per 2004 archdiocesan report.

Assignments:

LA Times Database 04.20.06

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Fr. August Kita

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1960
Status: Settled

Died: 06/12/2008
Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

At least one claim included in almost $5.2M settlement with the New Orleans archdiocese in Fall, 2009. Kita died in 2008. On New Orleans archdiocese's list 11/2/2018. Allegation received 2006 of abuse in the 1960s and 1970s. Worked at Hope Haven in Marrero. Also worked in NY, MA, Tampa, NJ. Included on the Salesians' list in 3/2020 of credibly accused.

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Br. Stephen Letourneaux

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Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of St. Petersburg FL

Professed vows as a Salesian brother in 1965. Worked at Mary Help of Christians School in Tampa. Left the order in 1973. Included in 3/2020 on the Salesians' list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Br. Christopher Lieby

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Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Professed vows as a Salesian brother in 1988. Worked in Boston MA and Tampa FL. Left the order in 1995. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Salesian order on its list in 3/2020. No details given as to when or where the abuse occurred, or the number of victims. (Placing him in the NY archdiocese for now, where the Salesians' Eastern Province is based.)

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Br. Patrick Logan

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Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Professed vows as a Salesian brother in 1965. Worked in Tampa FL and Boston MA. Left the order in 1983. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Salesian order on its list in 3/2020. No details given as to when or where the abuse occurred, or number of victims. (Placing him in the NY archdiocese for now, which is where the Salesians' Eastern Province is based.)

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Fr. Larry Lorenzoni

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1951
Status: Sued

Died: 09/5/2017
Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Born in Italy 5/12/1923. Joined the Salesians in 1939 in the U.S. Taught 1957-1967 at Salesian high schools in the Los Angeles archdiocese in Bellflower, San Gabriel and Los Angeles. Also worked in parishes. Lectured at Southern IL University 1966-1971. Worked in Rome 1985-1990 as Director of Documentation for Caritas Internationalis, and later at the Salesian Provincial Office. Reportedly worked at the Vatican Press Office for four years in the 1990s. Accused in 2002 of abuse in 1957-1958 of a student; his accuser sued the Order. Another former student publicly alleged abuse by Lorenzoni when he was a high school student during 1959-1960 in Watsonville CA. Name included on the Los Angeles archdiocese's list of accused in 2004. Lorenzoni died 9/5/2017. Included on the Belleville diocese's list 9/20/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Sources:

Fr. Joseph Maffei

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1958
Status: Settled

Died: 12/29/2009
Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

From Italy. Arrived in the U.S. in 1952. Attorney Garabedian announced a settlement in 9/2013 on behalf of a plaintiff who alleged abuse by Maffei as a 12-year-old boy, when Maffei was assigned to Sacred Heart Retreat House in Ipswich, MA. The abuse allegedly took place at the Marian Shrine in New Rochelle, NY. Died 12/29/2009. Included on the Salesians list of credibly accused in 3/2020.

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Sources:

Fr. Peter V. Malloy

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Made first vows as a Salesian in 1962. Ordained in 1974. National Director of the St. Dominic Savio Club, a youth leadership program. Boy Scouts chaplain. Worked in NY, MA, IN, AL. Removed from ministry in 2009. Named publicly as accused by the Salesian order on its list of credibly accused in 3/2020. No details given as to when or where the abuse took place, or number of victims. (Placing him in the NY archdiocese for now, where the Salesians' Eastern Province is based.)

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Fr. Alvin Manni

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 02/16/2000
Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Worked in WV, FL, MA, OH, NY. Involved for 50 years with Mary Help of Christians School in Tampa FL, including as its director three times. Returned to his native Italy in 1990. Died 2/16/2000. Named publicly as accused by the Salesian order on its list of credibly accused in 3/2020. No details given as to when or where the abuse occurred, or how many victims. (Placing him in the NY archdiocese for now, where the Salesians' Eastern Province is based.)

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Br. Ernest Martinez

Order: SDB
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Also known as Ernesto or Ernie. Accused of abuse of a minor 1965-1966, per the 2004 Los Angeles Archdiocesan report. Assigned to St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower at the time of the alleged abuse. Transferred to Mexico. Named in at least one civil suit. As of 2008, last known to be at Salesian provincial headquarters in San Francisco.

Assignments:

L.A. Times Database 04.20.06

Sources:

Fr. Richard Mataconis

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1965
Status: Sued

Died: 01/21/2014
Diocese: Diocese of Albany NY

Worked in NY, MA, LA, AL, the Bahamas and Italy. Sued in 2002 by two men who accused him of sexually abusing them at a New York junior seminary in the 1970s. Suit dismissed after a missed filing deadline. Living in Rome in 2004 and conducting tours of the Catacombs of St. Callistus. Has been referred to as Richard Matikonas or Philip Mataconis. Died in Rome 1/21/2014. Included on the Salesians list of credibly accused in 3/2020.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Fr. Richard J. McCormick

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1970
Status: Convicted

Died: 04/2/2020
Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

High school teacher, boys' camp director, parish priest. Salesians' Eastern US Provincial 1985-1991. Worked in MA, IN, NY, LA, FL, OH. Removed from St. Petersburg FL Catholic HS in 2002 after an allegation of sexually harassing a girl. Active at Marian Shrine, Stony Point NY by 2005. Order settled in the 2000s with a man alleging rape at age 14 on a trip to Rome in 1975. In 8/2009 the Order announced a settlement with three men alleging abuse in the late 1970s at Salesian Junior Seminary in Goshen, NY. Three others then came forward. At least 16 civil suits. Arrested in 8/2012 in NY, charged with the rape of a boy, ages 9-10, in 1981-1982 at an Ipswich MA camp. Convicted in 11/2014. Sentenced to 8-10 years in prison. Convicted in 8/15 of abuse of a boy, ages 6-8, at the camp in the early 1980s; sentenced to another 8-10 years' prison, to run concurrently with the term he was already serving. Added to the New Orleans archdiocese's list 12/2019 (AP asked why it was missing). Added in 2/2020 to Columbus diocese's list. Included on the Salesians list in 3/2020. Died 4/2/2020.

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Fr. Thomas McGahee

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1977
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Paterson NJ

Named publicly in 11/21 by Attorney Jeff Anderson as accused in a lawsuit filed under the NJ Victims’ Rights Bill.

Sources:

Jeff Anderson and Associates 11.18.21

Fr. Edward P. McGrath

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1969
Status: Accused

Died: 06/29/1998
Diocese: Diocese of Norwich CT

Taught briefly at Salesian High School in New Rochelle, NY, later assigned to St. Thomas More School in Montville. First allegation received there in 2000. School began an investigation and sent out letters to alumni and parents. Allegations found credible. Another accuser came forward in 2004. McGrath died in 1998 at age 62 of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Included on theNorwich diocese's list 2/22/2019. Included in 3/2020 on the Salesians' list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Fr. Albert Mengon

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

Former teacher at Salesian High in Richmond. Accused in court documents in two depositions taken in 2006. He allegedly abused youth at a Salesian camp. Also worked in the Oakland diocese. In 1998 and in 2005 he was working in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Last known to be working at Our Lady Help of Christians in Watsonville as of 2011.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Titian Athos Miani

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1955
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Arrested in 2003, charged with abusing two girls. Charges dropped in 2003 due to CA Supreme Court ruling. Per 2004 archdiocesan report, there were four accusers of abuse occurring 1957-67. At least one civil suit filed. Left archdiocese in 1967 for San Francisco, then Stockton. Incardinated into Stockton diocese in 9/74. Also worked in the Oakland diocese. Three siblings filed suit in 1/08 against Salesians alleging 1960s abuse. Personnel file indicates he also abused in Brazil, Italy and Canada. Included in Salesians' $19.5M settlement with 17 in 5/08. Named in 6/10 suit. Included on list of claimed abusers attached to Stockton diocese's 5/9/14 filing in bankruptcy court.

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Sources:

Br. Ralph Murguia

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Order: SDB
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Accused of abuse of a minor 1957-60 per archdiocesan report 2005 addendum. Named in a civil suit.

Assignments:

LA Times Database 04.20.06

Sources:

LA Archdiocesan Report Addendum 11.15.05
InjuryBoard 01.28.08
City of Angels 03.19.08

Fr. Francis E. Nugent

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1956
Status: Settled

Died: 01/20/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Paterson NJ

A woman told the Salesians in 1994 that Nugent abused her and two of her brothers. Nugent was sent for therapy, then reassigned. The woman complained again to the order in 1998 after she discovered that Nugent was working at a youth camp. The order settled with her in 1998 for $250K. Per the woman, she was part of a group of up to eight children Nugent regularly abused in the 1970s. Another suit was settled in 2008, claiming abuse of a male Don Bosco Prep student 1977-1976. Named in a suit filed by four former junior seminary students. Died at age 89 on 1/20/2011 in Italy, where he had lived for many years. Included in 3/2020 on the Salesians list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Fr. Kevin F. O’Brien

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1977
Status: Sued

Died: 06/4/1981
Diocese: Archdiocese of Miami FL

Made first vows as a Salesian brother in 1966. A suit filed in 3/2005 claimed sexual misconduct by O'Brien in 1978 and 1979 with a student at Mary Help of Christians School in Tampa, where he was principal. Known to have also worked in OH and Boston MA. Died in 1981. Included in 3/2020 on the Salesians' list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Fr. Terence O’Donnell

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Order: SDB
Ordained: 1970
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of St. Petersburg FL

Sued in 2003 and 2004. Accused by three people of abusing them at a boarding school in Tampa, Mary Help of Christians, in the early 1990s. When parents complained, he was reassigned to Salesian Boys and Girls Club in Boston, and the Salesian Provincial House in New Rochelle. Placed on leave in 2003 after suit filed. Had been investigated in 1993 by Florida's Dept of Health and Rehabilitation Services for allegations. No charges filed. Included in 3/2020 on the Salesians list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Br. Danilo Pacheco

Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Died: 07/25/2005
Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Pacheco was accused of molestation at two different Catholic high schools in Southern California. He also worked in the Oakland diocese. Died 7/25/2005.

Sources:

Fr. Simon Palathingal

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1972
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Milwaukee WI

From India. Arrested in 6/04; charged with sexual assault of a young boy in 1990-91 in Milwaukee. Working at time of arrest in South Amboy, NJ, Metuchen diocese. Left WI 1991 and lived in India for some time before living and working in several U.S.states 1993-2004. Diocese knew in 1993 when youth testified about abuse by his uncle, Fr. Dennis Pecore, and by Palathingal. Also abused in LA. Sentenced to 16 years prison in 2004. Released in 12/11. Noncompliant on Sex Offender Registry 1/12. On Lake Charles diocese's list 4/11/19. Multiple victims noted of abuse in 2000. Allegations received 2000 and 2002.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Joseph Pankowski

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1944
Status: Accused

Died: 05/21/1981
Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

First named publicly as accused on the New Orleans archdiocese's list 11/2/2018. Allegation received in 2006 of abuse in the 1940s and 1950s. Worked at Hope Haven in Marrero. Also worked in NY and NJ. Died in 1981. Included in 3/2020 on the Salesians' list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

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Fr. Carlos Enrique Peralta

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1989
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Chicago IL

Allegations of sexual misconduct began while Peralta was a seminarian in Chile in the 1980s. Other allegations followed in Guatemala and Peru. Accused in 1991 and 1995 in Peru of the sexual abuse of boys. Sent to Argentina for sex offender treatment 1997, then transferred to Chicago in 1998. Peralta arrived with permission papers from a top Salesian official in Peru saying Peralta "enjoys a good reputation and has no problem working with minors." In Chicago, he was accused of abusing four children in one family in 1998-1999. Order again transferred him before any investigation could begin, first to a treatment facility in VA, then to a monitored residence in NJ. After a year he returned to the Salesian Provincial House in Mexico City. Allowed active ministry in Mexico in 2001. Sued in 2002. In 2004 he was still working as priest in Mexico. Laicized in 2006, per the Salesians list of accused in 3/2020. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. It notes evidence that Peralta may have molested many other minors in Chicago.

Assignments:

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Fr. Mario Porras Blanco

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1960
Status: Settled

Died: 10/14/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Sacramento CA

Originally from Costa Rica. Removed from ministry in the Diocese of Sacramento in 1973, where he had been assigned since 1969. Refused to return to the Salesians in Costa Rica, as ordered; stayed in Sacramento for several years and joined "a schismatic religious sect." At least one settlement in 1991. In a 2002 lawsuit nine men alleged that Blanco sexually abused them when they were boys in Sacramento. By 1/04 at least 17 men had accused him of abuse. A civil trial was set for 7/05 but 16 cases settled just prior to trial. Name included on the Archdiocese of Seattle's 1/15/16 list of credibly accused; he was active in Tacoma as a "traditionalist Latin church" priest from the mid-1980s into the 2000s. Included on the Sacramento diocese's list of credibly accused in 4/30/19, with allegations of the sexual abuse of 20 boys, occurring 1968-81. Blanco died in 2008.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Seattle List 01.15.16

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Fr. Richard P. Presenti

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1968
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco CA

Admitted in 2003 that he abused a 14-year-old boy in 1973. The boy immediately told his parents and the Archdiocese; Presenti was kept in active ministry. Sued by three men alleging abuse as teenagers. Remained the provincial treasurer, entrusted with directing the Order's financial affairs until 7/2005, when he stepped aside. Sued by another in 6/2007. Appeals court ruled in 1/2008 that the Salesians didn't know he presented a risk of sexual abuse prior to his assault of the victims. Included on the Oakland diocese's list in 2019.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Br. George Puello

Order: SDB
Status: Sued

Died: 08/21/2019
Diocese: Diocese of Albany NY

From Colombia. Professed vows as a Salesian brother in 1967. Three men filed suit in 9/2002 alleging abuse by Puello when they were students at Salesian Jr. Seminary in Goshen, NY 1969-1973. One man said he told the seminary director (who went on to become an Auxiliary Bishop in Boston); the director dismissed the victim from the seminary, saying he was "not priest material." Per the suit, others at the seminary knew what was going on and there were other abusers at the school. Puello left the order at some point. He was ery active for decades in the Westchester County, NY theater community, including with youth. Died 8/21/2019. Included in 3/2020 on the Salesians list of credibly accused. It notes that Puello left the order in 1971.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Fr. Nicholas Reina

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1978
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Named publicly as accused on the Los Angeles archdiocese's updated list 12/6/18. Report to archdiocese in 2018 of incident(s) in 2000. Removed from ministry in 2018. The Salesians reportedly had received an allegation in 2000 that Reina molested a child in 1975, prior to ordination. In 2012 an adult told the order Reina made an "improper advance" toward him in 2000. In 2013 Reina was awarded Salesian High School in Richmond's Educator of the Year.

Sources:

Fr. John Roche

Donate Photo

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1986
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Accused in a lawsuit filed 3/18/2021 of sexually abusing a boy, beginning with grooming when the boy was age 13 in 1998, leading to sexual abuse 1999-2002. The abuse allegedly occurred at Salesian retreats, in hotels and in Roche's living quarter at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, CA, among other places. Per the lawsuit, Roche also abused the boy across state lines, including at the National Catholic Youth Convention. Roche was assigned to St. John Bosco High School St. Joseph Youth Renewal Center in Rosemead, Our Lady Help of Christians in Watsonville and Camp St. Francis in Watsonville.

Documents:

John SF-18 DOE v. Archbishop of Los Angeles, et al 03.18.21

Sources:

John SF-18 DOE v. Archbishop of Los Angeles, et al 03.18.21

Fr. Sean Leo Rooney

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1966
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Joined the Salesians in 1958, ordained in 1966. Accused in a 12/2013 suit of sexual abuse of a boy, age 14, at the Salesian minor seminary in Goshen NY, where Rooney taught theology and physics and was the financial administrator. The alleged abuse included removing the boy's clothing, touching and fondling the boy's buttocks and genitals skin-on-skin, and masturbating on the boy. The boy was also allegedly abused by Rooney on a school bus trip from Don Bosco Technical High School in Boston to Sacred Heart Retreat House in Ipswich. The complaint also alleged abuse of the boy in 1978 by Fr Joseph Maffei SDB and in 1981 by Bro Alan Scheneman SDB. Rooney was listed on the website of Boston attorney Garabedian 10/31/2014 after a settlement during the year previous. The Salesians confirmed a monetary settlement had been reached. Rooney worked in the Boston, Gary, Paterson, New Orleans, New York, Newark, and Birmingham (arch)dioceses. Laicized in 2008. Lawsuit filed in 2/2020 in NJ. Included on the Salesians list in 3/2020. New suit in 3/2022, also with claims against Sr. Alvin Marie Hagan, SSND. Rooney was living in 3/2022 in Arizona.

Assignments:

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Fr. Juan Francisco Sanchez

Donate Photo

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Accused of abuse of a minor in 1992, per 2004 Los Angeles archdiocesan report. In 12/21 the archdiocese's list shows Sanchez to be deceased.

Assignments:

LA Times Database 04.20.06

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Fr. Paul Sappino

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1933
Status: Accused

Died: 04/13/1969
Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Worked in NY, FL LA. Died in 1969. Named publicly as accused in 3/2020 by the Salesian order on its list of credibly accused. No details given as to when or where the abuse took place, or number of victims. (Placing him in the NY archdiocese for now, where the Salesians' Eastern Province is based.)

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Br. Alan Scheneman

Order: SDB
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Professed vows as a Salesian brother in 1978. Left the order in 1982. Accused in a 12/16/2013 lawsuit of the repeated sexual abuse of a boy, age 15, at the Salesian minor seminary in Goshen NY. The alleged abuse included masturbating the boy's penis skin-on-skin. The complaint also alleged abuse of the boy by Fr. Joseph Maffei SDB and Fr. Sean Rooney SDB at the same seminary. Scheneman was listed on the website of Boston attorney Mitchell Garabedian on 10/31/2014 after a settlement during the year previous. The Salesians confirmed that a monetary settlement had been reached. Included in 3/2020 on the Salesians list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Fr. Peter Sella

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1968
Status: Accused

Died: 02/6/2020
Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Professed vows as a Salesian brother in 1957. Ordained for the order in 1968. Worked in FL, MA, LA, NJ, Rome Italy. Died in 2/6/2020. Named publicly as accused in 3/2020 by the Salesian order on its list of credibly accused. No details as to when or where the abuse occurred, or number of victims. (Placing him in the NY archdiocese for now, where the Salesians Easter Province is based.)

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Br. George M. Sheehan

Order: SDB
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Boston MA

Professed vows 9/8/1954. Worked in NJ, IN, NH, NY, MA. Died 11/17/2006. Included on a list of accused priests and religious posted by the Law Offices of Mitchell Garabedian on 01/19/2011. Garabedian says he has settled at least one claim with the Boston Archdiocese regarding allegations against Sheehan. Included in 3/2020 on the Salesians list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Joseph P. Sokol

Donate Photo

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1935
Status: Accused

Died: 03/30/1970
Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese of New Orleans on its list 2/14/2020. (The archdiocese had initially named Alfred Sokol, SDB, which was a mistake.) Allegation received in 2010 of abuse in the 1940s. Sokol worked at Hope Haven in Marrero. Per the Salesian order on its list in 3/2020, Sokol also worked in NJ, and left the order in 1957. He died in 1970.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Br. Philip Soltau

Donate Photo

Order: SDB
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Professed vows as a Salesian brother in 1966. Worked in FL, LA, NJ. Left the order in 1979. Included in 3/2020 on the Salesians' list of credibly accused. No details given as to time or place of abuse, or number of victims. (Placing him in the NY archdiocese for now, where the order's Eastern Province is based.)

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Fr. Anthony Spano

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1943
Status: Accused

Died: 12/18/2008
Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Assigned to Salesian schools in NY and NJ. Died in 2008. Named publicly by the Salesian order in 3/2020 on its list of credibly accused. No details given as to when or where the abuse occurred, or number of victims. (Placing him for now in the NY archdiocese, where the Salesians' Eastern Province is based.)

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Fr. Raymond Stiechen

Donate Photo

Order: SDB
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. Per the archdiocese's list in 12/18, Stiechen had been laicized.

Sources:

Br. John Vas

Order: SDB
Ordained: 2024
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

In 2/08 a woman alleged Vas molested her for nearly seven years, beginning in the 1960s when she was age seven. Vas was a Salesian brother and the band instructor at Salesian High School, where the girl's brother was a student. Vas is last known to have been living in Florida with his wife. This is reportedly the second public accusation against Vas.

Sources:

Br. John Verhart

Donate Photo

Order: SDB
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Accused of abuse of a minor 1957-58, per archdiocesan report. Named in at least one civil suit.

Assignments:

LA Times Database 04.20.06

Sources:

Fr. John Voglio

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1987
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Manchester NH

Accused during an AG investigation in 3/2002 of repeated sexual abuse of a 12-year-old boy in 1982 at Camp Don Bosco in NH. Voglio was a Salesian brother at the time and camp counselor. Later in 1982 Voglio wrote to the alleged victim from OH, saying that he was going on to become a priest. He was ordained for the Salesians in 1987 and worked in a Salesian High School and a parish in the NY archdiocese. Name included on the NY archdiocese's list 4/26/2019, noting that Voglio was removed from ministry and laicized. Per the Salesians list in 3/2020, he withdrew from the order in 1994. Reportedly in 3/2023, Voglio was running a charity that gave scholarships to Catholic schools for underprivileged children, and "mingles with children and teenagers who attend charity events." The charity was founded in 2000 by accused priest John Harrington.

Assignments:

Salesians List 03.31.20

Sources:

Fr. Gerald Wertz

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1988
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Civil suit filed 2/24/11 accuses Wertz of abuse of a 15-year-old boy at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower 1993-94. Wertz was a teacher and counselor at the school at the time of the alleged abuse. The boy reported the abuse at the time; Wertz was not disciplined. Said to be to be living in 2011 at the Salesian Provincial Residence in San Francisco (1 block away from Cathedral school). On Los Angeles archdiocese's updated list 12/6/18. It notes report to the archdiocese in 2018 of incident(s) 1993-94.

Sources:

Fr. Stephen Whelan

Order: SDB
Ordained: 1969
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Oakland CA

Editor of the Salesian Bulletin in 1997. A civil suit was filed in 2003 by a man alleging abuse, including rape, by Whelan when he was a student at Salesian High School in 1969-early 1970s. Whelan's accuser said Bro. Sal Billante witnessed the abuse and said nothing, that he told a counselor and was then chastised and threatened by the school principal. Also, that school administrator Rev. David Purdy tried to get him to commit suicide. Whelan was still active in 8/2005. Civil trial started 7/7/2006. Jury awarded the plaintiff $600K on 7/19/2006. Whelan was removed from his position after the verdict and resided at the provincial house. CA Appeals Court upheld verdict in 8/2008. Removed from ministry. On the Oakland diocese's list in 2019.

Sources: