Bishop Joseph Hubert Hart

KC-St. Joseph priest, Cheyenne bishop 1976-2001. Resigned. Two allegations to KC-St. Joseph in 1989 and 1992 of abuse of boys in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Psych eval, returned to ministry in WY. Accused in 2002 of abusing a boy in 1976 in WY. D.A. cleared, accuser discredited. Accused in 2004 suit by three men of abuse as boys. More suits in 2005. Settled in 8/2008. New suit in 11/2011. Settlements in 2014. By 7/2018 named by 10 in lawsuits. Investigation in 2018 after a man alleged abuse as child in WY. Investigator said credible, that the 2002 investigation was flawed and those claims were credible. Report to Vatican in 5/2018. Restrictions on Hart continued; he denied accusations. Investigation reopened in 8/2018. Diocese announced three new credible allegations in 9/2019. WY prosecutors again did not pursue. Per Cheyenne list in 11/2019, there were six male accusers of abuse as teens 1977-1983. “Cleared” in 1/2021 by the Vatican on seven accusations; said five others could not be proven; two of the boys were ages 16 and 17 when abused, so unable to prosecute as not minors, per Church. The diocese reportedly said Hart was accused of the abuse of 11 males and one female. In 10/2022 Hart, age 91, was to return to KC to live in a senior facility. Reportedly in 6/2023, Hart did not relocate to KC after all. Died 8/23/2023.