Rev. Stephen E. Jeselnick– Assignment History

Summary of Case: Stephen Jeselnick was ordained in 1977 for the Diocese of Erie. He briefly assisted at parishes in Oil City, Meadville, Jamestown and Greenville, after which there is a two-year gap in his assignments. By 1983 he was assisting in a Colorado Springs, CO, followed by another unexplained gap 1985-1986. During 1986-1987 Jeselnick was back in the Erie diocese, assigned to a DuBois parish. Thereafter, until his retirement in 2010, Jeselnick moved around as a military chaplain. He is not indexed in the Directories beyond 2015.

In 1991 a man reported to Bishop Trautman that 11 years previously, when he was a 20-year-old college student on home in PA for summer break, he had two "unwanted sexual encounters" with Jeselnick. The man said that his father was in failing health at the time and that he was vulnerable. In 2005 the man received a settlement on the condition that he keep the case quiet.

Jeselnick's name was included on the Erie diocese's list released April 6, 2018 of clergy, lay employees and volunteers with credible accusations against them of the sexual abuse of minors. He was noted to be living in Colorado Springs, CO, and "Forbidden to function as a priest."

Ordained: 1977

1977

Diocese of Erie

Bishop was Michael Joseph Murphy (1982-1990).

2/2

Jamestown

• In 1991 a man told Bishop Trautman that 11 years previously, when he was a 20-year-old college student on home for summer break, he had two "unwanted sexual encounters" with Jeselnick, who was his parish priest. The man said his father was in failing health at the time and that he was vulnerable. He said he subsequently went into a downward spiral with substance abuse, suicide attempts and homelessness before getting help. He received a $25,000 settlement in 2005, on the condition that the he not discuss the case with anyone but mental health or medical professionals.

1983

Diocese of Colorado Springs

Bishop was Richard Charles Patrick Hanifen (1983-2003).

1986

Diocese of Erie

Bishop was Michael Joseph Murphy (1982-1990).

1997

Diocese of Wilmington

Bishop was Michael Angelo Saltarelli (1995-2008).

2015

Diocese of Colorado Springs

Bishop was Michael John Sheridan (2003- ).

Jeselnick is not indexed beyond the 2015 Directory, nor is he listed in the Erie pages under 'Retired.'

Jeselnick's name was included on the Erie diocese's list released April 6, 2018 of clergy, lay employees and volunteers with credible accusations against them of the sexual abuse of minors. He was noted to be living in Colorado Springs, CO, and "Forbidden to function as a priest."

Priests in a Parish: We use the following convention to show a priest's place among the clergy of a parish: 1/2 means that he is the first priest listed in the Official Catholic Directory (usually the pastor) and that there is a total of two priests at the parish. The shorthand 3/4 means that the priest is listed third on a four-priest roster. See our sample page from the Directory.

Source: Official Catholic Directory (Kenedy & Sons, 1978-2015).

• Former local man finds healing in speaking out about priest, by Pat Bywater, Meadville Tribune, February 12, 2008
• Victim of clergy abuse shares his story, by Pat Bywater, Sharon Herald, February 15, 2018
• Revision to the Policy for the Protection of Children, Diocese of Erie, April 6, 2018
• Erie Diocese Releases Names of Accused Priests, Laypeople, GoErie com, April 6, 2018
• Many with local ties named on Erie Diocese abuse list, by Marcie Schelhammer, Bradford Era, April 7, 2018


Note: The Official Catholic Directory aims to report the whereabouts of Catholic priests in the United States on January 1 of the Directory's publication year. Our working assumption is that a priest listed in the Directory for a given year was at the same assignment for part of the previous year as well. However, Kenedy and Sons will sometimes accept updates well into the year of publication. Diocesan clergy records are rarely available to correct this information. The Directory is also sometimes misleading or wrong. We have tried to create an accurate assignment record, given the source materials and their limitations. Assignment records are a work in progress and we are always improving the records that we post. Please email us with new information and corrections.

This assignment record collates Jeselnick's career history as it is represented in the Official Catholic Directory with the allegations against him, as reported in the media. We make no representation regarding the truth of the allegations we report, and we remind our readers that 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.

This assignment record was last updated on September 29, 2018.