Diocese of Lexington KY

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Terry McKiernan February 26, 2021

7 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. William J. Fedders

Ordained: 1968
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Lexington KY

Ordained for the Diocese of Covington. Incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington when it was established in 1988. A man reported to Lexington Bishop J. Kendrick WIlliams in 1993 that Fedders sexually abused him three times in 1983 when he was a 14-year-old 8th grader and altar boy at Christ the King in Lexington. The alleged victim suggested a settlement of $200K in 1994, but the Diocese offered only to pay for counseling. The man rejected the counseling offer. He filed a civil suit in 6/2002. Fedders was suspended. Lawsuit was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Fedders was permanently removed in 9/2004 and given a 'life of prayer and penance'. Not reported to police until 2004. Included on the Covington diocese's 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). On Lexington's list in 8/2020. It notes that Fedders admitted to "a single incident of inappropriate sexual behavior with a minor."

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Fr. Stephen Francis Gallenstein

Ordained: 1976
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Lexington KY

Ordained for the Diocese of Covington. Incardinated into the Lexington diocese when it was established in 1988. Permanently removed from ministry in 2003. Accused of abuse of a girl for four years, beginning when she was 13 in 1980 at Holy Family in Ashland, and then stalking her for another 10 years. Name was revealed in support of allegations in a court case regarding abuse by another priest. In 3/2006 the diocese announced that the allegations were credible. Vatican was asked to laicize him. Included on the Covington diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). On the Lexington diocese's list in 8/2020. One known victim, who sued in 2003; settled. Gallenstein admitted to the abuse.

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Fr. Balthasar John Modica

Ordained: 1945
Status: Settled

Died: 10/30/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Lexington KY

The Diocese was warned several times 1974-1978 about Modica's behavior. Accused in 12/1978 of smuggling marijuana to a 20-year-old male inmate at a State Reformatory. Pleaded guilty. Given a brief jail sentence. Sent to Paracletes in NM for treatment due to sexual misconduct. Reassigned. Accused in a 2003 lawsuit of abuse of a teenage boy in the mid-1970s. Court of Appeals denied plaintiff's claim 8/5/2011. Other cases settled. Retired in 2000. "Charter Suspension" 9/13/2002. Died 10/30/2015. Included on the Covington diocese's list of those with substantiated allegation(s) 7/31/20. On the Lexington diocese's list in 8/2020. It notes one known Lexington victim and multiple victims elsewhere.

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Fr. Edward Francis Murray

Ordained: 1950
Status: Sued

Died: 04/13/1996
Diocese: Diocese of Lexington KY

Several plaintiffs alleged abuse by Murray and other priests in a 2002 civil lawsuit. The suit also named the Covington and Lexington dioceses. Died 4/13/1996.

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Lexington Herald-Leader Obituary 04.14.96
Courier-Journal 04.23.03

Fr. Leonard Bernard Nienaber

Ordained: 1934
Status: Convicted

Died: 11/19/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Lexington KY

Ordained for the Diocese of Covington, which then encompassed Lexington. (The Lexington diocese was established in 1988.) Assigned 1960-1979 to Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary in Lexington. Indicted in 1993 at age 86. Convicted in 1994 on 10 counts of the sexual abuse of as many as 18 minors. Sentenced to 10 years (probated) and admittance to St. Jean Vianney Renewal Center in Dittmer, MO. In 2002 and 2003 17 women and a man filed suit. In a 12/2003 settlement, 20 of 24 claims against the Diocese were Nienaber victims. Age 97 and still living at the Vianney Center in 12/2003; ordered by Diocese to remain there after his 10 year sentence ended. Died 11/19/2006, age 99. Included on the Diocese of Covington's list 7/31/2020. On the Lexington diocese's list in 8/2020.

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Fr. William George Poole

Ordained: 1963
Status: Settled

Died: 12/28/2018
Diocese: Diocese of Lexington KY

Ordained for the Diocese of Covington. Incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington when it was created in 1988. Charged with public indecency in 1990 and 2001. Placed on leave for a year in 9/2002 when diocesan officials learned of Poole's second arrest. Reinstated in 1/2004, even after a 2003 allegation that he had sexually abused a 15-year-old boy in 1972. The Lexington diocese's review board deemed the allegations not credible, but the Covington diocesan board disagreed and paid a settlement to the plaintiff. Not reported to police until 2004. Died 12/28/2018. Included on the Covington diocese's list 7/31/2020. On the Lexington diocese's list in 8/2020, allegation noted to be "unsubstantiated."

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Fr. Carl Casper Schaffer

Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Lexington KY

Ordained for the Diocese of Covington. Retired in 1989. Opened a home for troubled teenage boys, Padre House, in southeastern KY. Died by suicide in 7/3/1993, a day after he was questioned about a decades-old abuse allegation. Included on the Covington diocese's list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). On the Lexington diocese's list in 8/2020. It notes credible allegations that Schaffer abused brothers at Good Shepherd in Frankfort in the 1960s and 1970s.

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Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.