Fr. Bernard L. Horst
“Bud.” Joined the Marianists, Province of Cincinnati, in 1931. Made perpetual vows in 1938. Ordained in 1945. Worked in OH, NY, PA, MI. Assigned to St. John Bosco in Mattawan MI 1984-1994. Retired 2/1994. Included on the Order’s list of accused 6/24/2020. On the Cincinnati archdiocese’s list in 2/2022. Included in the MI Attorney General’s Kalamazoo report. Multiple reports to the Diocese and Order of inappropriate sexual behavior toward young girls, ages 9-13. by Horst. Earliest known incidents were in 1965, of two young sisters. Police report in 1986 of touching two MI girls, age nine, between their legs in 4/1986. Charges dropped because polygraph test was “inconclusive;” police chief told Kalamazoo’s Bishop Donovan in late 1986 he would go to the prosecutor if Horst wasn’t transferred by 1/1/1987. In 6/1992 the Marianists told Bishop Donovan that a woman alleged abuse by Horst at age 13. Horst was to be sent for alcohol abuse treatment. Agreement in 1/2024 that Horst would be sent to the Marianists’ Clinton Ave Community, monitored, not involved with youth. In 2/1994 another woman reported “improper gestures toward her” as a child by Horst. Died 2/15/2001.
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