IOWA
Storm Lake Pilot Tribune
January 17, 2006
Advocates for victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests are angry that a retired priest who once served Storm Lake has not been defrocked, despite more allegations against him than any other Iowa priest in the past 50 years.
At least 25 people have accused the Rev. George McFadden, 80, of sexually abusing them as children while he served in six northwest Iowa parishes from 1953-92.
McFadden started his career at Storm Lake St. Mary's Church from 1953-57. None of the outpouring of accusations have come from the Storm Lake assignment, with the earliest report that has been made public dating to alleged abuses in 1959. Many other accusations come from the priest's stints in Jefferson and Sioux City. He also served in LeMars and Sibley before retiring in 1992. As of last July, the diocese had settled at least 22 lawsuits or sexual abuse claims, all naming McFadden, according to an Associated Press report. Three other lawsuits are pending against the diocese and McFadden.