January 06, 2006

Archdiocese names priests accused of abuse

IOWA
Des Moines Register

By SHIRLEY RAGSDALE
REGISTER RELIGION EDITOR

January 5, 2006

The archdiocese of Dubuque today released the names of several priests, living or dead, who have credible allegations of abuse against them.

In addition, Joyce Connors, Director of the Archdiocesan Office for Protection of Children and Young People, reported that Pope Benedict XVI has dismissed the Rev. William T. Schwartz from the clerical state. The Vatican notified Schwartz in November. Final details of Schwartz's defrocking were completed in December.

Archbishop Jerome Hanus had asked that the Rev. William A. Goltz, another alleged abuser, be defrocked. The Vatican determined that Goltz, who is of advanced age and was disciplined earlier, spend the rest of his life in prayer and penance. He does not celebrate Mass publicly, does not administer the sacraments, cannot wear clerical garb or present himself publicly as a priest.

The archdiocese also reported spending $25,276 in the past year for counseling and other medical assistance to abuse victims and $305,000 in settlements to survivors.

Posted by kshaw at January 6, 2006 08:18 AM