Archdiocese of Denver CO - BishopAccountability.org

41 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Leonard A. Abercrombie

Ordained: 1946
Status: Settled

Died: 10/23/1994
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

In a 7/1993 letter to Pope JP II, Denver's Archbishop Stafford, and Los Angeles' Cardinal Mahony, a man alleged he was sexually abused as a boy 1953-1957, from age 7, and said that others were also abused. Further, he said that in 1991 Abercrombie admitted the abuse to his (the man's) sister. Abercrombie was a USAF chaplain 1950-1953 in L.A.; Baker diocese 1962-1964; listed on sick leave. V.A. chaplain in L.A. 1972-1993. Retired. Died in 10/1994. Abuse in the late 1950s reported to the Archdiocese of Denver in 2002. Suit filed in CA in 2003. The L.A. Archdiocese 2/17/2004 report noted two CA victims in the 1970s. Lawsuit in CO filed 9/20/2005. At least 9 men alleged abuse. Some suits were mediated. Others settled in 7/08. Per the CO Attorney General's Report 10/22/2019, at least 18 boys were abused there by Abercrombie 1946-1972, and Denver knew as early as 1963. Victims were still surfacing in 2019.

Fr. Robert Banigan

Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

Died: 05/6/1986
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Named publicly as accused in the CO Attorney General's Report 10/22/2019. Allegedly groomed and sexually abused a 6-year-old altar boy in 1961, and told the boy the devil would get him if he didn't cooperate. He was said to have allowed the boy to attend altar boy training two years early. Banigan died 5/6/1986.

Sources:

CO Attorney General Special Masters Report 10.22.19

Fr. Thomas Patrick Barry

Ordained: 1939
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

A woman filed suit against the Denver Archdiocese in 10/2007 alleging sexual abuse by Barry in about 1970, when she was age 16 and had troubles at home. He gave her a place to live before abusing her. The girl's sister walked in on Barry and her sister, who were naked in bed. Their mother reported the abuse to the Archdiocese in 9/1973. No action. Barry died in 2003 at age 97. Barry's alleged victim came forward to the Archdiocese in 2006. Her 2007 lawsuit was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Included in the CO Attorney General's Report 10/22/2019.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

Sources:

Fr. Joseph J. Bosetti

Ordained: 1908
Status: Accused

Died: 01/22/1954
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Monsignor. From Milan, Italy. Ordained in Switzerland. Arrived in CO in 1911. Founded Camp St. Malo. Named publicly as accused in the 10/22/2019 CO Attorney General's Report. Accused in 2002 of sexually abusing a boy, ages 16-17, in the chancery offices 1949-1950, while Chancellor and Cathedral Boys Choir Director. Died in 1954.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

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Fr. Charles C. Brown

Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Named publicly as accused in the CO A.G.'s report 10/22/2019. Allegations to the archdiocese in 2005 that Brown sexually abused a boy 1962-1966, beginning when the boy was age 13. Faculties quietly removed. Brown was assigned during the time of the alleged abuse to St. Joseph's in Fort Collins. He transferred in 1970 to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Retired in 2002. Brown denied the allegations. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list 5/19/2021.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

Sources:

Fr. Rafael Jairo Calle

Donate Photo

Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Extern priest from Ecuador, arrived in Denver in early 1997, assigned to St. Stephen's in Glenwood Springs. Previously was in the Salt Lake archdiocese. Named publicly as accused in the 10/22/2019 CO Attorney General's Report. It notes reports of recent child sexual abuse to the Diocese in 3/1997, that Calle tried to fondle a 12-year-old boy in a swimming pool, and that he sexually abused a 17-year-old boy in a car. When confronted Calle fled CO and returned to Ecuador.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

Sources:

Seminarian Wilfred Laurent Carignan

Order: OCSO
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Carignan, described as a "monk-in-training" who was not accepted into the order, was accused in 2011 of molesting a boy while working at St. Benedict's Monastery as a beekeeper. The boy was a 6th- or 7th-grader who was being tutored by Carignan in about 2000 when the abuse occurred. At the time of his arrest, Carignan was serving two separate sentences: 6-years to life and 8-years to life for the abuse of another boy. Conviction was in 2008.

Sources:

Seminarian Mark A. Clark

Donate Photo

Order: SJ
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Central and Southern Province on its list 12/7/2018. It notes a single allegation against him of sexual abuse while assigned to Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, CO in the 1980s. Clark left the Jesuits in 1989.

Assignments:

Jesuits Central and Southern List 12.07.18

Sources:

Jesuits Central and Southern List 12.07.18

Fr. Bennett Colucci

Order: OFM Cap
Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Died: 09/24/2020
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

A woman reported to the Capuchin Franciscans in 2/2015 that Colucci sexually abused her in the 1980s, when she was a student at Marycrest High School. The Order deemed the allegations credible. The Archdiocese of Denver was investigating, per its 3/3/2016 statement. Colucci worked in Denver 1970 until 1993, when he was removed for "reported misconduct." His assignments included Marycrest High School, Annunciation Parish and Samaritan House. The woman and the Archdiocese reported the allegations to law enforcement. Colucci was living in a Hays KS parish as of 1994. Retired in 2005, living in a Victoria KS parish at least until 2014. Included on the Capuchin Province of Mid-America list 3/1/2019. Died 9/24/2020, at age 89.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Dorino DeLazzer

Order: CS
Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 05/12/2021
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Ordained in NY City in 1959 for the Scalabrinians. Assigned in the Diocese of Buffalo until 1967, then in the Archdiocese of NY. Does not appear in the Official Catholic Directory for the years 1973-1976. Resurfaces in 1977, assigned to a parish in Denver, still as a Scalabrinian. Left the order and was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Denver in 1978. Retired from active ministry in 2005. Placed on leave by the Denver archdiocese without privileges in 5/2010 after a woman alleged sexual misconduct by him in the early 1970s, when she was a minor living in another state. DeLazzer denied the allegations. He died 5/12/2021, age 86.

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Fr. Timothy Joseph Evans

Ordained: 1993
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Issues with "relational dynamics" evident during seminary; ordination delayed until an evaluation said "problems were fixed." Charged with two counts of the sexual abuse of three teenage boys 1995-1997 and in 1999. Removed from active ministry in 2003. Judge was to allow other accusers to testify. Pleaded innocent to all charges. Found guilty in his first trial in 3/2007 and again in another county in a second trial in 4/2007. Named in a civil suit in 4/2007. Sentenced to 14 years to life in prison in 5/2007 with four more years added a day later in another case. The lawuit settled in 4/2008. Laicized in 2013. Included in the 10/22/2019 CO Attorney General's Report. Denied parole in 12/2019. Granted parole in 7/2020. A new lawsuit in 1/2023 claims abuse 1999-2003 of a boy, beginning when the boy was 14.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

Sources:

Fr. Edward Fraczkowski

Ordained: 1939
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Named publicly as accused in the 10/22/2019 CO Attorney General's report. The Archdiocese received an allegation in 2015 that Fraczkowski sexually abused a girl, ages 9-11, during 1967-1969, while he was pastor of St. Michael's in Craig. He died in 1973.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

Sources:

Fr. Kenneth Q. Funk

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1950
Status: Accused

Died: 02/23/1974
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Died 2/23/1974. Named publicly as credibly accused in the CO Attorney General's supplemental report 12/1/2020. Sexually abused an altar boy, ages 13 and 16, in 1959 and 1962, while assigned to Holy Name Parish in Steamboat Springs. Funk's accuser came forward in early 2020 via the IRRP.

Sources:

CO Special Masters Supplemental Report 12.01.20

Fr. Marshall Gourley

Order: CR
Ordained: 1982
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Accused in a 9/1997 civil suit of abusing a teenage boy in 1981-1984 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. The alleged victim testified that he reported the abuse to church authorities in the early 1980s. Gourley was placed on leave in 10/1997. The civil case was dismissed in 1998 due to the statute of limitations. Plaintiff appealed; case dismissed in 1999. In 2002 Gourley was working in the medical technology filed, traveling on business between the U.S. and Mexico. A suit filed in 8/2022 claims Gourley sexually abused a girl, ages 7-11, at Our Lady of Guadalupe.

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Fr. Neil C. Hewitt

Ordained: 1962
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Multiple alleged victims. The Archdiocese knew of allegations in 1992. In 2002 a woman told the Archdiocese that Hewitt sexually abused her cousin in the 1960s. She gave the Archdiocese a letter her cousin had written to Hewitt about the abuse. Her cousin died by suicide in 1991. In 10/2017 a man told a news outlet that Hewitt abused him at age 14 during a trip to Expo '67 in Montreal. He said another priest and two other boys were on the trip. The man came forward to the Archdiocese in 12/2017. Hewitt acknowledged when contacted by another news outlet in 5/2019 that he did things that were "wrong," involving "around eight, maybe nine" boys. Hewitt left the priesthood in 1979 and married. He was laicized in 2018. Included in the 10/22/19 CO Attorney General's Report. Living in AZ in 2019. As a seminarian in 1958, worked at Camp St. Malo where a deaf boy disappeared and was later found dead. Two other seminarians there at the time were later found to be serial child sex abusers.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

Sources:

Fr. Richard Hiester

Ordained: 1937
Status: Accused

Died: 11/23/1993
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Monsignor. Parish priest, military chaplain during WW II, Cathedral Choir director, director of Camp St. Malo 1954-1968. (In 1958 a boy disappeared from the camp; his remains were found a year later. Hiester waited three days to notify police that the remains were found.) Accused in a lawsuit filed in 11/2023 of sexually abusing an altar boy, age 6, in the 1970s. The boy and his family attended Notre Dame Parish in Denver, where Hiester was assigned. Two other priests are also accused in the lawsuit of sexually abusing the boy over a 10-year period. Hiester died in 1993.

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Fr. John V. Holloway

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 12/9/1982
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Named publicly as accused in the CO Attorney General's report 10/22/2019. It noted that Holloway appeared to use his skills as a PhD psychologist to groom and rape six boys 1962-1982. Further, that his behavior was "the most calculated, horrific, and predatory we saw in our entire review." It also strongly criticized the Archdiocese's response to the victims in the 1990s and early 2000s, noting they did not investigate or report any of the allegations to law enforcement. Also per the report, in 2017 the Archdiocese told the Vatican that an allegation received then was not substantiated, despite not investigating it. Holloway died in 1982.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

Sources:

Fr. Daniel E. Kelleher

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 05/17/2008
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Named publicly as credibly accused by the CO Attorney General in its supplemental report 12/1/2020. Sexually abused a 15-year-old girl in 1962, while assigned to St. Paul Parish in Colorado Springs. Left the priesthood at some point, married and raised a family. Died in Arizona in 2008. Kelleher's victim came forward via the IRRP in 12/2019.

Sources:

Fr. Richard James Kurtz

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1977
Status: Convicted

Died: 09/14/2024
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Arrested 11/21/2011 in Chicago on charges that he sexually assaulted a boy, age 10, in 2001 outside Denver. Pleaded guilty. Sentenced in 12/2012. Living at Vianney Renewal Center, Dittmer MO under restrictions, but worked at the Columbiere Retreat Center in Clarkston MI 10/2008 to 11/2011. On MO sex offender registry. Teacher at University of Detroit Jesuit High School at the time of the 2001 assault, visiting Denver. Initial report made in 2001 to the Jesuits. Arrested 9/29/2014 in Dittmer on charges of production, transportation, and possession of child porn, after two priests contacted the FBI. Accused of filming boys on the University of Detroit Jesuit High School hockey team while they changed in the locker room during the 1998-1999 season, and of transporting child porn from Clarkson to Chicago. Included on the Jesuits Midwest list 12/17/2018; noted to be incarcerated in federal prison since 2014. On Detroit's list 6/10/2019. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes at least two "reported survivors." Died 9/14/2024.

Fr. Delisle Lemieux

Ordained: 1926
Status: Accused

Died: 10/10/1977
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Monsignor. Named publicly as accused in the CO Attorney General's report 10/22/2019. In 7/2017 a man told the Archdiocese that Lemieux orally and anally raped him repeatedly when he was a 13-year-old altar boy in about 1969. Lemieux was retired and assisting at Notre Dame Parish in Denver during the time in question, and a family friend. He allegedly invited the boy on a four-day fishing and golfing trip, during which the abuse occurred. Further, Lemieux said to the boy that if he told anyone about the abuse, he would see that his mother lost her job at the church and that the family would lose their house. The archdiocese's Conduct Response Team found the man "very credible." Lemieux died in 1977. (Per news reports in 1961, Lemieux shot and killed a man whom he caught stealing from the rectory of St. Catherine's.)

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

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Fr. William Martinez

Ordained: 1980
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Named publicly as accused in the 10/22/2019 CO Attorney General's Report. Placed on leave and his faculties removed after admitting in 1993 to sexually abusing a 17-year-old boy 12/1980-1/1981, while assigned to Holy Apostles in Colorado Springs (prior to the establishment of the CO Springs diocese). Martinez was in charge of the parish youth group and the boy was a member. Sent to treatment. Resigned from ministry in 1996. His victim sued and received a settlement in 9/1995. Martinez allegedly abused another teenage boy in 1985 or 1986, while assigned to Annunciation Parish in Leadville. The allegation was reported to the CO Springs Diocese within several years; no action by the Diocese, per the Attorney General. Martinez was voluntarily laicized in 2006.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

Sources:

CO Attorney General Special Masters Report 10.22.19

Fr. Mark N. Matson

Order: CR
Ordained: 1976
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Accused of abuse of two in CO in 1987. Acquitted of abuse of one in 1989 in CA. Convicted 2000 in HI of 1998 sexual assault on 13-year-old boy. Sentenced to 20 years in prison. Also worked in San Antonio. Civil suit filed in 2002. Another CO man came forward in 2005 to allege abuse in 1982. He received $22.5K from the order. New civil suit filed in 4/2010 claiming abuse in a CO seminary in 1976. Matson was in prison and on sex offender registry in HI as of 12/2011. Parole denied in 2/2012 but granted in 7/2013. Accused in a civil suit of repeated rape of a boy, age 8, in HI in the late 1990s at Tripler Army Base, where Matson was a chaplain. Per the suit, the alleged victim became mentally incapacitated as a result and his mother became his guardian and conservator. The Theatines' motion to dismiss the suit was denied 12/30/2019.

Sources:

Fr. John J. McGinn

Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 09/3/2002
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Named publicly as accused in the 10/22/2019. CO Attorney General's Report. In 1994 a woman told the Archdiocese that McGinn sexually abused her when she was age 8 in the late 1950s or early 1960s. He denied the allegations and was kept in ministry. McGinn died in 2002.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

Sources:

Fr. James S. Moreno

Ordained: 1976
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Named publicly in the CO Attorney General's report in 12/2020 as having abused a boy, ages 15-17, many times during 1978-1980. Moreno plied the boy with alcohol and marijuana, and raped him. His victim first came forward via the IRRP in late 2019. Moreno admitted to the abuse. Laicization pending. His victim filed a lawsuit in 1/2022 alleging abuse 1978-1982, from freshman year at St. Andrew's Preparatory Seminary High School and into his college years. He also alleged that Moreno and other priests raped him at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on one occasion. Accused, along with two other priests, in a lawsuit filed by a 53-year-old man in 11/2023 of sexual abuse 1979-1989. The plaintiff said the abuse occurred at the St. Thomas Seminary library, among other places, and that he was passed around to different priests and raped at Camp St. Malo in Allenspark. The priests allegedly threatened to kill his family if he told. He and his family attended Notre Dame Parish in Denver. Moreno denied the allegations.

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Fr. Edward P. Murphy

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1942
Status: Accused

Died: 06/11/1975
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Central and Southern Province on its list 12/7/2018. Died in 1975. An allegation was received after Murphys death of abuse occurring in the 1940s-1950s.

Assignments:

Jesuits Central and Southern List 12.07.18

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Fr. J. Bart Nadal

Order: CR
Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Died: 02/1/2015
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

From Spain. Arrived in the U.S. in 1949, had a long career in CO. Pastor of Holy Family in Ft. Collins in 1989 when two young sisters, ages 7 and 8, said he molested them. Nadal, 67, said there was a conspiracy against him within the parish. The family pressed charges. Parishioners harassed the family; the girls needed a police escort to and from school. A jury deliberated ten minutes and acquitted him. Nadal held prominent positions, including rector of St. Andrew's Seminary in Denver and collaborator for the Liturgical Congress of the Denver and Pueblo dioceses. He died 2/1/2015.

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Fr. Patrick Henry O’Liddy

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1990
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Joined the Jesuits in 1977. Ordained in 1990. Pleaded guilty in 1999 to sending a lewd photo of himself to a 14-year-old girl over the Internet. Her mother reported the photo to police; O'Liddy was arrested at a meeting site. Sentenced in 8/2000 to 10 years probation and 200 hours of community service. On leave from the Jesuits at the time of the offense. After the court sentence he resigned from the Order. On the Colorado Sex Offender Registry. Included on the Jesuits Central and Southern Province list 12/7/2018.

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Fr. Michael J. O’Brien

Ordained: 2000
Status: Reinstated

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Placed on leave in 9/2021 after the Archdiocese received a report that O'Brien abused an altar boy in the early 2000s. His accuser filed a lawsuit in 12/2021, alleging that O'Brien sexually assaulted him over four years, beginning in 2004 when he was age 7. O'Brien would allegedly beat the boy if he did not comply with his sexual demands. O'Brien was assigned to St. Mary's in Aspen 2002-2011, went on sabbatical for 6 months for health reasons, then was assigned as pastor to St. Anthony's in Julesburg. He denied the allegations. In 4/2023 the Archdiocese announced that law enforcement had determined that the allegations were "baseless" and the criminal case was closed. After the Archdiocese's investigation concluded it was announced that O'Brien would be returned to ministry 7/1/2023. A civil trial scheduled for 12/2023 was cancelled in 7/2023.

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Fr. Francis A. Pettit

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1937
Status: Accused

Died: 01/7/1987
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

In 1989 a priest of the Denver archdiocese received a report from someone who said they witnessed Pettit sexually abuse a girl in about 1963. His alleged victim was a student at the St. Therese parish grade school. She was deceased by the time abuse was again reported to the archdiocese in 2019. Pettit died in 1987.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

Sources:

CO Attorney General Special Masters Report 10.22.19

Fr. James W. Rasby

Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 07/23/2014
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Monsignor. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception rector for 20 years. Co-founded the Samaritan House. Named as accused in the CO Attorney General's Report released 10/23/2019. In 1975 a 13-year-old boy told another priest at the Cathedral that Rasby fondled his genitals. Rasby wrote a note to the boy saying "You have every right to be mad at me." Kept in ministry. In 1990 a 16-year-old boy told his parents - who informed the Archdiocese - that Rasby had been hugging him and kissing him on the cheeks, then later kissed him on the lips, despite the boy's protest. As pastor, Rasby had hired the boy as a Saturday receptionist at St. Vincent de Paul parish. Rasby denied kissing the boy on the lips. Sent to outpatient treatment, access to boys restricted. Kept as pastor, retired in 1995. Died 7/23/2014.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

Sources:

Fr. Leonard Scezney

Ordained: 1985
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Named publicly as accused in the 10/22/19 CO Attorney General's Report. In 3/2007 the Archdiocese received a report that Scezney had sexually abused a 16-year-old girl in about 1985. The girl was a member of the parish youth group at Spirit of Christ in Arvada, where Scezney was assigned. Scezney allegedly took the girl to dinner, was increasingly affectionate toward her, then fondled her breasts under her shirt on multiple occasions. Scezney's faculties were removed by the Archdiocese in 1992.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

Sources:

Fr. John Harley Schmitt

Ordained: 1940
Status: Accused

Died: 06/25/2003
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Monsignor. Named publicly as accused in the 10/22/2019 CO Attorney General's Report. In 2010 a woman told the Archdiocese that Schmitt sexually abused her when she was ages 8-9 during 1963-1964 and a student at All Saints in Denver, where Schmitt was assigned. The Archdiocese's Conduct Response Team deemed the allegation not credible. The A.G. report noted the Team's" flawed" process and asserted that it reached the wrong decision. In 1993 a man told the Archdiocese that Schmitt molested him in 1963 while assigned to All Saints, when the man was age 13. Schmitt denied the allegation. He died in 2003.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

Sources:

CO Attorney General Special Masters Report 10.22.19

Fr. Gregory Smith

Ordained: 1922
Status: Settled

Died: 09/14/1992
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Monsignor. Named publicly as credibly accused in the CO Attorney General's supplemental report released 12/1/2020. In 12/2019 the IRRP received a report that Smith sexually abused a boy, ages 9-14 during 1971-76, over 1,000 times while pastor of St. Frances de Sales. The abuse occurred at the church, including in the confessional. Smith would whip the boy while naked and fondle the boy's genitals. His victim received a settlement. Smith died 9/14/1992.

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Fr. Lawrence H. St. Peter

Ordained: 1959
Status: Settled

Died: 08/18/2003
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Monsignor. Superintendent of Catholic schools, Vicar of Priests, parish priest. One complainant settled with the archdiocese 7/1/2008 as part of a $5.5M settlement of 18 people alleging abuse by 3 priests. Per the CO Attorney General's report released 10/23/1209, the Archdiocese received allegations against St. Peter as early as 1970. Church files show reports that he abused children, including rape, from the 1960s through the 1990s. He was absent on leave 1993-2002 and died 8/18/2003. Was said to have been living and working at Queen of Peace parish in Denver at the time of his death. In 2/2019 a man stated publicly that St. Peter sexually abused him for years, leading to rape at age 8, twice in 1982. St. Peter was the boy's father's best friend.

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Fr. John Francis Stein

Ordained: 1944
Status: Convicted

Died: 11/16/2001
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

In 1991 a man told the Archdiocese that Stein sexually abused him as a boy hundreds of times over a three-year period at St. Catherine of Siena parish in Iliff, beginning in 1953 when he was age 10. The man received a settlement in 9/1996 with a strict confidentiality agreement. Stein had been convicted in 1946 in Golden CO for "indecent liberties" with a 6-year-old boy. He was sentenced to 18-months in jail; the Archdiocese intervened and he did not serve his sentence. Stein allegedly abused at least three boys while at St. Catherine's. He was arrested again in 1956 for child sexual abuse, then released on condition that he leave town. He was sent to treatment in Denver, Oshkosh WI, then to the Paracletes in Jemez Springs NM. Per his file, there were at least four victms in NM. Stein was laicized in 1958. He died in 11/2001 at age 84. His obituary referred to him as "Rev." Stein.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

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Fr. Melvin F. Thompson

Ordained: 1967
Status: Reinstated

Died: 12/20/2016
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Ordained in 1967 for the Wichita diocese. Transferred to CO in 1969. Removed as parochial vicar at St. Thomas More in Centennial in 4/2010 after recent allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor boy in the 1970s. He denied the allegations. In 5/2010 a man said he told the Archdiocese of "inappropriate sexual behavior" with him by Thompson in the early 1990s when he was age 20. Thompson was sent for alcohol abuse treatment. The Diocesan Review Board found that the allegations were not supported by evidence. Thompson was reinstated in 1/2011 and then retired. He died in 12/2016.

Fr. George L. Weibel

Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 11/1/2008
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Named as accused in the CO Attorney General's report released 10/23/2019. An allegation was reported in 1988 that Weibel fondled a girl at a swimming pool 1969-1972, and that he similarly abused her and her friends on ice-skating trips. In 2014 the Archdiocese received an allegation that Weibel groped a girl and her friend at a swimming pool when they were 12 year olds in 1966. In 10/2019 a woman told a news outlet that Weibel groped her breasts over her swim suit when she was age 10 in 1959. He died 11/01/2008.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

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Fr. Robert Whipkey

Ordained: 1983
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Named publicly as accused in the CO A.G. report 10/22/2019. In 1998, during a four-day field trip to a camp in Florissant CO, Whipkey, as chaperone, shared a cabin with four sixth-grade boys. Their parents complained to the archdiocese that Whipkey was naked much of the time in the cabin and put shaving cream on the boys' faces while naked to wake them up at least one morning. Pastor of St. Anthony's in Sterling, Sacred Heart in Peetz, and St. Catherine in Iliff during that time. Required to receive therapy, and was sent to St. Louis for a three-day evaluation. He first denied, then later admitted to a sexual motivation for his behavior. After a year and five months, and despite his therapist's warning, he was reassigned without restrictions to the Cathedral in Denver. Arrested in 6/2007 for walking down a street nude. Placed on leave in 8/2007 after publicity. Convicted in 6/2008 of indecent exposure. Sentenced to five-years probation, community service, and to register as a sex offender. Accused, along with two other priests, of sexually abusing a boy during 1979-1989. The abuse allegedly occurred in various locations, including at the St. Thomas Seminary library and Camp St. Malo in Allenspark, where different priests would rape him. The priests are said to have threatened to kill the boy's family if he told. Whipkey denied the allegations.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

Sources:

Fr. Harold Robert White

Ordained: 1960
Status: Settled

Died: 11/14/2006
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Sued in 2005 and 2006. Suits by at least 30 men and women claimed abuse by White when they were children. Archdiocese allegedly knew about White's behavior as early as the 1960s yet kept him in ministry. Sent to NM for treatment in 12/1981, reassigned to a parish in 1/1982. Worked in 11 parishes over 33 years. Removed in 1993. Laicized in 2004. Died 11/14/2006 in Cancun, Mexico, reportedly while on vacation. Ten suits settled in 1/2007. Others settled in 7/2008. Three more filed in 7/2008. Included in the CO A.G.'s report 10/23/2019; it noted White to be "the most prolific known clergy child sex abuser in Colorado history" and to have likely abused at least 63 children. As a seminarian in 1958, worked at Camp St. Malo where a deaf boy disappeared and was later found dead. Two other seminarians there at the time were later found to be serial child sex abusers.

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Documents:

Denver Documents

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Fr. Thomas Woerth

Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Died: 01/4/2023
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

Named publicly as accused in the 10/22/2019 CO Attorney General's Report. The Archdiocese received an allegation in 3/2019 that Woerth sexually abused a male high school student in 1971, 1972 and 1973, while assigned to both Holy Trinity Parish and St. Mary's High School in Colorado Springs. Woerth denied the allegation. The Archdiocese removed his faculties. News reports in 1983 show that in in 9/1983 Woerth allegedly pushed an 18-year-old young woman down a flight of stairs and punched a female youth counselor, who tried to intervene, in the face. He reportedly was angry at the way the woman played tambourine during mass. He faced misdemeanor assault charges and was ordered to a pre-trial hearing. No further news of the case found. Woerth was pastor of St. Joseph's in Fort Collins at the time of the incident. Per the Official Catholic Directory, he was assigned the following year as an assistant to Holy Family in Denver. Woerth retired in 2008 and moved to FL. He died 1/4/2023.

Assignments:

Anderson Ad Book 11.13.19

Sources:

Fr. Charles B. Woodrich

Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Died: 11/10/1991
Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver CO

"Fr. Woody." Monsignor. Founded a homeless shelter, called "Denver's patron saint of the poor." Died 11/10/1991. Named in the CO Attorney General's supplemental report released 12/1/2020, which said Woodrich abused three boys, ages 12-16, in the 1970s and 1980s. The priest allegedly gave two of the boys alcohol and asked another to pose in his underwear, then took pictures. Woodrich's victims reported their abuse via the IRRP in 12/2019, 1/2020 and 2/2020.

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