Archdiocese of Hartford CT - BishopAccountability.org

64 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Gregory M. Altermatt

Ordained: 1976
Status: Sued

Died: 06/4/2023
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Removed from ministry 2/3/2012. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 4/2018 of the sexual abuse of a boy, ages 7-15, starting in 1976. Per the suit, the boy's mother died suddenly in 1979 and Altermatt offered to help the family. The abuse allegedly occurred in the rectory of St. Anne's in Waterbury, a Waterbury movie theater, Altermatt's car, the boy's home in Bristol and the priest's mother's Florida condominium, where he had taken the boy on vacation. Included on the Archdiocese's list 1/22/2019. Died 6/4/2023.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Karol H. Borowski

Donate Photo

Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese of Hartford on its list in 5/2024. From the Diocese of Silesia, Oploe, Poland. Assigned for a time in the Archdiocese until his incardination candidacy was terminated 6/4/1979. An allegation against him was received in 2012.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Archdiocese of Hartford List 05.26.24

Fr. William A. Bray

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 11/15/2000
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list in 5/2024. Died 11/15/2000.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford List 05.26.24

Sources:

Archdiocese of Hartford List 05.26.24

Fr. Joseph F. Buckley

Ordained: 1932
Status: Sued

Died: 05/2/1975
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

A man filed a civil suit in 2003 alleging that he was sexually abused at age 14 by Buckley in 1971. The man claimed that Buckley gave him a soft drink spiked with rum, enticed him to join him in the shower, sexually assaulted him, then gave him $20. The abuse is said to have occurred on several occasions. Buckley retired in 1970 and died in 1975. He was apparently retired at the time of the alleged abuse. Claim included in a 11/2005 massive settlement. Included on the Archdiocese's list of accused 1/22/19. On the Diocese of Norwich's list 2/22/2019, having worked there at some point.

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Fr. Stephen H. Bzdyra

Ordained: 1979
Status: Sued

Died: 10/4/2019
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

A man filed suit in 7/2010 alleging that Bzdyra abused him in the mid-1980s while assigned to St. Francis in New Haven. Per the suit, Bzdyra threatened the boy and his family and later tried to silence him by buying him home appliances and a car in 2001. Also named in a previous suit. Placed on leave 7/9/2010. Another suit was filed in 8/2010. Too ill to testify in 11/2010. A third suit was filed in 12/2010. Settlement in 2/2016. Per the Archdiocese's list 1/22/2019, Bzdyra was laicized 5/4/2018. He died in 10/2019.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Robert L. Callahan

Ordained: 1944
Status: Accused

Died: 01/1/2013
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Died in 1/2013. Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese of Hartford on its list in 5/2024.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford List 05.26.24

Sources:

Archdiocese of Hartford List 05.26.24

Fr. Herbert Clarkin

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 12/29/2010
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list 1/22/2019. Retired. Removed from ministry 4/29/2002. Died 12/29/2010.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Stephen L. Crowley

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1955
Status: Settled

Died: 08/11/2016
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Claim(s) against Crowley were settled as part of the $22M settlement in 10/2005 with the Archdiocese of Hartford. Retired in 1991. Per the Archdiocese's list 1/22/2019, Crowley was removed from ministry 6/11/2002 and was sentenced to a life of prayer and penance by the Vatican 10/21/2015. He died 8/11/2016.

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Sr. Linda Cusano

Order: ASCJ
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Accused in a 5/23/2003 lawsuit of sexually assaulting a female high school senior repeatedly in 1991-1992 and pressuring her to join the order. Parents say they complained about Cusano's closeness with their daughter at the time but were brushed off. Cusano was reportedly sent to treatment in 2002.

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Fr. Joseph R. DeCarolis

Ordained: 1959
Status: Indicted

Died: 03/31/2020
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Died in 3/2020. Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list in 5/2024.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford List 05.26.24

Sources:

Archdiocese of Hartford List 05.26.24

Fr. Robert Walter Doyle

Ordained: 1935
Status: Sued

Died: 12/18/1975
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Monsignor. A man filed suit in 5/2009 alleging that he was abused by Doyle 1971-1975 when he was ages 10-15. Doyle, who served Superintendent of Schools 1951-1961, was assigned to Sacred Heart in Wethersfield at the time. He died 12/18/1975. Included on the Archdiocese's list of accused.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Ivan Ferguson

Ordained: 1970
Status: Settled

Died: 12/16/2002
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Ordained an Auxiliary Priest of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles in an Apostolic Vicariate in the Diocese of St. Joseph of the Amazon, Peru. Incardinated in 1979 into the Archdiocese of Hartford. Removed from ministry 3/4/1993. Three men claimed in 1993 civil suits abuse as minors by Ferguson in the 1970s. One suit was withdrawn, two were settled. Still a priest in 3/2002, but no ministerial or teaching duties. Died 12/16/2002. At least two claims were included in a 10/2005 $14M settlement with the Archdiocese involving 14 priests. Separate suits were filed by three brothers in 8/2007 and 11/2007 alleging abuse in the late 1970s. In 7/2008 two more suits were filed claiming abuse in 1981. The Archdiocese was found negligent in a 2012 civil trial before jury. Judgment of $1M for one plaintiff. Archdiocese asked supreme court to overturn the verdict as of 9/12/2014. Included on the Hartford Archdiocese's list 1/22/2019. On the Norwich Diocese's list 2/22/2019.

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Fr. Stephen C. Foley

Ordained: 1967
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named in multiple civil suits by men claiming abuse when they were teenagers. Allegedly used his position as fire and police chaplain to meet victims and to lure them into 'relationships.' One accuser's father reported Foley to the Archdiocese in the 1960s. Not removed until 1993 after a man told police. Removed from position as state police chaplain around the same time. Settlement of $500K in 3/2007. Settlement of $600K in 3/2008. A $750K settlement in 1/2009. Total of 13 settlements in all by 2009. Laicized 4/29/2016. Included on the Archdiocese's list of accused.

Fr. Will-Roger Malave

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1986
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese of Hartford on its list in 5/2024. Worked in CT, WV, TX, OH. Released to the Diocese of Steubenville 11/1/2000. Reportedly "moved 21 different times all across the country" during his 29 years as a priest. Retired in 2006. A Canonical Suspension of the Faculty to Hear Confession noted, dated 5/24/2016. Administrative leave 8/9/2021. Canonical suspension underway.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Thomas Glynn

Ordained: 1938
Status: Sued

Died: 01/25/1993
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

A man filed suit in 6/2003 claiming he was abused as a minor by Glynn for three years in the early 1970s. Suits were filed by four other male accusers in 10/2003. One said he told another priest in 1971. Glynn retired 11/1/1987. He died 1/25/1993 at age 80. At least one claim was included in a 10/2005 settlement with the Archdiocese. Included on the Archdiocese's list of accused 1/22/2019.

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Fr. Paul Gotta

Ordained: 2006
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Administrator of St. Phillip's in East Windsor and St. Catherine's in Broad Brook. Removed in 7/2013 while the Archdiocese investigated a complaint that he sexually abused a minor. Law enforcement was notified, investigation launched. Arrested 7/19/2013 on federal firearms charges. Released 7/25/2013. In 6/2013 he had reported an 18-year-old youth to police for threats against the boy's school. Arrested 3/31/2014 on sex assault charges. Allegedly made boy strip and assaulted him before giving him his paycheck. Pleaded not guilty. Sex assault charges dropped in a plea agreement in 11/2015; pleaded guilty to second degree breach of peace. Six-month suspended sentence. Pleaded guilty in 3/2016 to distributing explosives to a minor. (Helped a teen make a pipe bomb.) Sentenced in 2017 to nine months in prison. Per the Archdiocese's list 1/22/2019, canonical process underway.

Fr. John J. Graham

Ordained: 1931
Status: Settled

Died: 12/11/1983
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Retired to New Jersey in 1974. Died 12/11/1983. Name included in the 10/2005 $22M settlement between the Hartford Archdiocese and 43 people alleging abuse by 14 priests. Per the Archdiocese's list 1/22/2019, an allegation was received against Graham in 2003.

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Fr. Robert J. Grant

Ordained: 1993
Status: Acquitted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Placed on leave and then arrested in 8/2007 for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15- or 16-year -old boy in 7/2007. Later released on bail. Was assigned to Saint Hedwig's as pastor at the time of the alleged abuse. Re-arrested 9/22/2007 for attempting to contact the teenager by phone. Criminal trial started 1/2009. Grant denied all allegations during trial testimony. Jury found him not guilty 1/16/2009.

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Fr. Stanley E. Hastillo

Ordained: 1942
Status: Accused

Died: 12/14/1999
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Retired in 1993. Died 12/14/1999. Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list in 2024.

Sources:

Archdiocese of Hartford List 05.26.24

Fr. Philip J. Hussey

Ordained: 1938
Status: Accused

Died: 01/17/1978
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list 1/22/2019. Died 1/17/1978. Allegations were received after Hussey's death.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Edward F. Hyland

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1967
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list 1/22/2019. Removed from ministry 7/6/2002. Laicized 4/29/2016.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. William Izquierdo

Donate Photo

Order: LC
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 06/1/2015
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Also known as Guillermo Izquierdo. Novice director at the Legion of Christ novitiate in Cheshire, CT 1982-1994 and in Ireland before then. Order announced in 12/2013 that a claim of abuse of a minor student received in 2012 had been substantiated. Another claim was under investigation. On restricted duty from 2005, when Order received allegation involving an adult. He had not ministered since 2008 and was said to have advanced dementia. Died in 2015. On the Hartford archdiocese's list 1/22/2019. On the Legionaries list 12/21/2019. Added to the Baltimore archdiocese's list in 11/2020. Mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Roman Kramek

Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Visiting priest from Warsaw, Poland. Arrested in 12/2002 for allegedly sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl who had gone to him for counseling after she had been assaulted by other individuals. Plea agreement in 2004 led to sentence of 9 months in jail and 10 years probation. Returned to Poland upon his release in 2005.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Joseph R. Lacy

Ordained: 1938
Status: Accused

Died: 05/18/1990
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list 1/22/2019. Died 5/18/1990. Allegations were received after Lacy's death.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Robert G. Ladamus

Ordained: 1970
Status: Settled

Died: 11/8/2012
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named in lawsuits in 12/2011 by two men claiming Ladamus sexually abused them as boys while he was assigned to St. Mary's in Milford, CT. Settled. Ladamus was at St. Mary's 1983-1996, after which he was transferred to Christ the Redeemer in Milford. Retired 7/1/1998. Died 11/8/2012. Included on the archdiocese's list 1/22/2019.

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Fr. David J. Lewandowski

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 03/31/2020
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Died 3/31/2020. Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list in 5/2024.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Archdiocese of Hartford List 05.26.24

Fr. Felix H. Maguire

Ordained: 1950
Status: Settled

Died: 07/13/2008
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

A police investigation of allegations against Maguire in 1984 was suddenly dropped, without explanation. Removed from ministry in 1992. Medically retired in 1993 and moved to Florida. Jury awarded one plaintiff $262,803 in a 1995 trial that was sealed from the public. Sued in 1/2003 by a 21-year-old man who alleged assault when he was 15. Claims against Maguire were included in the 10/2005 $22M settlement between the Archdiocese and 45 people alleging abuse by 14 priests. Died 7/13/2008. Included on the Hartford Archdiocese's list 1/22/2019. On the Diocese of Norwich's list 2/22/2019.

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Deacon Terry Manspeaker

Ordained: 1990
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Transitional deacon preparing for priesthood. Removed from ministry 5/15/1992. Received 5 years probation in 1994 after pleading guilty to assaulting a 17-year-old boy and to making sexual advances on a 14-year-old boy. Moved to Maryland in 1995. Included on the Hartford archdiocese's list 1/22/2019.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Richard P. McGann

Ordained: 1970
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Per news in 3/2011, the Hartford Archdiocese had paid an undisclosed settlement in 2009 to a man who alleged sexual abuse by McGann 1975-1977, beginning when the man was age 12. The Archdiocese said when confronted in 2011 that McGann was placed on administrative leave in 2005 without privileges. The Archdiocese was still paying a stipend to McGann. The plaintiff in the settlement was convicted in 1986 of killing his grandfather and was serving 60 years in a ME prison. McGann's name was included on the archdiocese's list 1/22/2019. It notes that he had been sentenced by the Vatican 5/24/2016 to a life of prayer and penance.

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Fr. Daniel F. McSheffery

Ordained: 1956
Status: Settled

Died: 06/15/2014
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Removed from ministry 5/10/2002. Accused of abuse of at least eight boys at St. Augustine School in Hartford in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Named in at least six civil suits. At least eight of the claims settled as part of the 10/2005 massive settlement with the Archdiocese. Possible $1.6M settlement. Retired to FL. An additional suit filed in 8/2007 claimed abuse in 1974. Case settled for $785K in 2009. McSheffery died 6/15/2014. A lawsuit filed 2/27/2017 alleged abuse of altar boy at St. George's in Guilford over five years, beginning when the boy was age nine in 1977. Included on the Archdiocese's list 1/22/2019.

Fr. Timothy Meehan

Donate Photo

Order: LC
Ordained: 2000
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Legionaries of Christ on its list in 3/2022. Removed in 2013 from his assignment in Italy as a minor seminary rector after the order's North American Territory was informed that Meehan was in a "sexual relationship" in the mid-1990s, prior to ordination, with a person under age 18. Meehan's victim was under Meehan's supervision in his role as assistant formator in the LC's United States novitiate. Meehan admitted the "relationship" to his superiors in Rome yet was encouraged to pursue ordination. He left the order in 2017 to become a diocesan priest. (Not to be confused with Hartford Priest Timothy A. Meehan, ordained in 1959.)

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Fr. Michael Joseph Miller

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 2001
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Worked in the Buffalo NY diocese at St. Francis High School in 1993 and 2000-2003. Parochial vicar at St. Paul in Kensington, CT 2006-2011. Removed by Order 7/4/2011 for inappropriate contact with a minor. Hospitalized 7/2011 during police investigation. Personal computer confiscated. Arrested 7/12/2011; charged with five counts of risk of injury or impairing morals of a minor, improper text and facebook messages. Implicated by at least nine minors. Re-arrested in 6/2012 for possession of child porn. Pleaded guilty to all charges 5/1/2013. Privileges permanently removed. Sentenced to five years in prison and 20 years probation. Included on the Hartford archdiocese's list 1/22/2019.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Peter G. Mitchell

Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Died: 05/20/2016
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Information released on 9/19/2014 showed that Mitchell had been named as an abuser in a civil suit filed in 11/2012. Retired in 2001. Suit was set for trial in 11/2014. No criminal charges filed. He allegedly sexually violated a boy in the priest's car and home on Colony Road in New Haven. Mitchell died 5/20/2016. Included on the Hartford archdiocese's list 1/22/2019. On the Norwich diocese's list 2/22/2019, which notes that he was removed from ministry in 2001.

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Fr. Edward M. Moran

Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Reportedly in 6/2002, Moran told his parishioners that a woman had come forward in 1996 to allege that he had abused her in 1980 when she was age 7 or 8 and attending St. Brigid's Parish. There was a "full and complete" investigation by the archdiocese in 1996 which found no basis for the allegation. Moran also said there was no lawsuit or financial settlement. He denied the allegation.

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Fr. Edward J. Muha

Ordained: 1945
Status: Settled

Died: 02/11/2002
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Died 2/11/2002. Accused in 2004 of abusing a 7- or 8-year-old boy at Immaculate Conception in Terryville in 1970. Claim included in a 10/2005 $22M settlement between the archdiocese and 45 plaintiffs claiming abuse by 14 priests. Name included on the archdiocese's list 1/22/2019.

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Fr. Jeremiah Murasso

Ordained: 1979
Status: Indicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Placed on leave 7/1/2015. Accused of sexually abusing a minor more than 20 years previously at St. Francis Children's Home, New Haven, where he was Director 1992-1995. Pastor of two Waterbury parishes since 2012 at the time of his removal: Blessed Sacrament and Shrine of St. Anne. Assigned in the past to parishes in East Haven, Meriden, Naugatuck and South Windsor. Archdiocesan investigation found allegations "unsubstantial" and cleared Murasso to return to ministry in 12/2015.

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Fr. Howard J. Nash

Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Died: 10/28/2001
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list 1/22/2019. Died 10/28/2001. One allegation received in 2003.

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Fr. John T. O’Connor

Ordained: 1946
Status: Accused

Died: 12/1/2003
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list 1/22/2019. Died 12/1/2003. Allegations against him were received after his death.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Louis S. Paturzo

Ordained: 1973
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Placed on leave in 5/2002 after allegations that he fondled at least two adolescent boys in the early 1970s. Both incidents are believed to have occurred while Paturzo was still in seminary. One youth's parents reported the abuse to police in 1993. Police investigated but could not prove anything. Sent for a psychological evaluation and treatment, then reassigned. Removed without privileges in 2002. Named in a 10/2005 settlement between the archdiocese and 43 plaintiffs involving 14 priests. Sued in 2/2008. Included on the archdiocese's list 1/22/2019. On the Norwich diocese's list, 2/22/2019. Laicized in 2008.

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Fr. Raymond Paul

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 07/4/2008
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Reportedly in 8/2003, a man claimed Paul molested him at age 15 for three weeks as he lay in a hospital with burns suffered in a house fire. He said he told his mom at the time but she was afraid to tell. Paul was hospital chaplain. Sources say the Archdiocese settled a similar case by another man but an Archdiocese spokesman said they "are not aware of that." Included in a 10/2005 settlement between the Archdiocese and 43 plaintiffs involving 14 priests. Two men filed suit 9/29/2008 claiming abuse by Paul at the same hospital. New suit filed in 6/2012. Included on the Archdiocese's list 1/22/2019. It notes that Paul was removed from ministry 2/21/1996, and died 7/4/2008.

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Fr. Robert Leo Pelkington

Order: OP
Ordained: 1968
Status: Convicted

Died: 05/5/2015
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Surrendered to police in 2000 after being charged with abusing two brothers 12/1998-4/1999. Had been removed and in treatment at St. Luke's Institute prior to surrendering. Assigned to a parish in NY state 1995-1999; apparently was visiting in CT at time of assaults. Convicted. Sentenced to 3 years suspended sentence and 10 years probation. Listed on sex offender registry in Washington, D.C. as of 8/2009. Included on the Dominicans St. Joseph Province list in late 2018. On the Hartford archdiocese's list 1/22/2019. On the Norwich diocese's list 2/22/2019. Laicized in 2011. Died in 2015. Added to the Columbus diocese's list 12/3/2019.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. John A. Pryor

Order: OAR
Ordained: 1962
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Hartford archdiocese on its list 1/22/2019. Noted to have abused in the archdiocese. Was a visiting priest in 1967, helping out at St. Bernard in Tariffville.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. William P. Przybylo

Ordained: 1968
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Two claims against Przybylo were settled by the Archdiocese of Hartford, as announced 10/31/2005. Przybylo was accused in 2003 of sexually abusing two altar boys in the 1970s. Przybylo acquiesced in the settlement but maintained his innocence and was not removed from ministry. On the Archdiocese's list 1/22/2019. It notes that Przybylo was removed from ministry 9/22/2008 and sentenced by the Vatican on 10/21/2015 to a life of prayer and penance.

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Fr. George Raffaeta

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 05/26/2010
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list 1/22/2019. Removed from ministry 5/23/2002. Died 5/26/2010.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

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Fr. Edward J. Reardon

Ordained: 1931
Status: Settled

Died: 05/23/1991
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Monsignor. Died in 1991. Accused in a civil suit filed in 3/2004 of abuse of a 15- to 16-year-old boy 1971-1972. Claims against Reardon were included in the 10/2005 $22M settlement between the Archdiocese and 43 plaintiffs alleging abuse by 14 priests. Included on the Archdiocese's list 1/22/2019. On the Norwich diocese's list 2/22/2019.

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Fr. Adolph Renkiewicz

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 08/17/2015
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list 1/22/2019. Died 8/17/2015.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Jose Rivera

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1972
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese of Hartford on its list 1/22/2019. Extern priest from the Archdiocese of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Worked 1993-1994 as chaplain at St. Raphael Hospital in New Haven. Removed by the archdiocese 9/9/1994.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

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Fr. Joseph T. Rozint

Ordained: 1967
Status: Sued

Died: 04/30/2009
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Accused in a 9/2011 civil suit against the Archdiocese of Hartford of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy in 1977, while assigned to St. Gertrude's in Windsor. Per the Archdiocese's list 1/22/2019, Rozint "abandoned the ministry" in 1993, before any claims were received. He died 4/30/2009.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. John W. Rudy

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1977
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph's in Winsted, CT 1993-1998. Removed from ministry by his order in 1998. Arrested in 7/1998, accused of improperly touching an 18-year-old male. Arrested again in 9/1998, accused of improperly touching a 9-year-old boy two years before, when the boy was age 7. Pleaded no contest to charges of fourth-degree sexual assault and disorderly conduct in 11/1999; the plea kept him out of jail and off sex offender registry. Sentenced to one year suspended prison term, two years probation. Sent to treatment. Included on the Hartford archdiocese's list 1/22/2019. Included in 10/2021 on the Holy Name Province Franciscans' list of those against whom there are substantiated allegations.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Br. Thomas Sawyer

Order: CSC
Status: Arrested

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Educator in schools across the U.S. Was IT director for Holy Cross HS in Waterbury, living at St. John Vianney in West Hartford when another clergy member reported to police he saw images of naked children on Sawyer's computer. Order moved Sawyer to upstate NY when the police investigation started. Arrested in 4/2016, charged with possession of child pornography. Sawyer may have downloaded thousands of photos of naked children, mostly pre-teen males.

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Seminarian Shane Patterson

Donate Photo

Order: LC
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Legionaries of Christ in 3/2021. Substantiated allegation of abuse of a "pre-candidate" in Cheshire CT while assistant dean of students at the order's Immaculate Conception Apostolic School in the mid-1990s. Laicized.

Sources:

Legionaries of Christ List 03.22.21

Fr. Robert E. Shea

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

Died: 06/21/1995
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese of Hartford on its list 1/22/2019. Retired 7/1/1992. Died 6/21/1995. Allegations were received after Shea's death. On the Norwich diocese's list 2/22/2019.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Carl J. Sherer

Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Died: 03/29/1995
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list in 5/2024. Died 3/29/1995. Allegation(s) received after Sherer's death.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Kenneth H. Shiner

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1971
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 2001 of abusing a boy 1980-1984, beginning when the boy was age 14. Shiner allegedly would take the boy out for dinner and drinks before molesting him at the rectory. Shiner denied the abuse. Removed from ministry 6/25/2001. Claims included in a 10/2005 $22M settlement with the Archdiocese involving 14 priests. Laicized 4/29/2016. On the Archdiocese's list 1/22/2019.

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Fr. Thomas Sievel

Ordained: 1978
Status: Indicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list in 5/2024. Put on Administrative leave 11/8/2021. A canonical process is noted to be underway.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Joseph Suppe

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Died: 09/28/1997
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list in 5/2024. Retired in 1990. Died 9/28/1997, age 50.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Br. Michael Benedict Taylor

Donate Photo

Order: FPM
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Former Presentation Brothers monk. Teacher at an all-girls Catholic school in Connecticut when he resigned in 6/2002 after it was revealed that he was "defrocked" for allegedly molesting boys in Trinidad in 1997. He was principal of a school in Trinidad; quit in 1997 after several alleged victims came forward. More victims came forward in 2002.

Sources:

Fr. Edward Julian Tissera

Ordained: 1989
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

From Sri-Lanka. Several names: Edward Warnakulasuriya, Edward Tissera, W. Edward Julian Tissera. Accused in 7/2011 of molesting a 17- or 18-year-old male during confession at St. Bernard's in Simsbury. Suspended. Arrested. Pleaded no contest 9/2012. Accused in a 9/2014 lawsuit of repeated sexual assault of a 13- to 14-year-old boy 2000-2001, while associate pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Watertown, CT. Abuse was said to have occurred in Tissera's rectory bedroom, after he invited the boy for spiritual guidance and counseling. Settled in 10/2016. Laicized 5/29/2018. On the Archdiocese's list 1/22/2019.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Enrique Vasquez

Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Priest of the Diocese of Ciudad Quesada, Costa Rica. Accused of molesting an altar boy. Treated at Casa Alberione, Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, México. Charged in Costa Rica with abuse of a child in 1994 and a became a fugitive in 1998. Fled to New York. Worked as a priest in New York and Hartford. Fled to México in 2002, then Honduras before disappearing again in March 2003, shortly before an international arrest warrant was issued for him. In 2004, a second Costa Rican youth accused Vásquez. Convicted in absentia in 2005 by a Costa Rican court and sentenced to 12 years in prison. Arrested in Honduras in 4/2007, and handed over to Interpol.

Sources:

Fr. Guillermo de Jesus Velez Lopez

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1991
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Also known as Salvatore Montana. From the Diocese of Quibdo, Colombia. Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese of Hartford on its list in 2024. Ministry in the Archdiocese ended 6/1/2005. Allegation received in 2019. Faculties to minister in his home diocese and beyond revoked 4/2/2021.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

Archdiocese of Hartford List 05.26.24

Fr. Walter A. Vichas

Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Died: 10/15/2008
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 11/2018 of the sex abuse of a 10-year-old altar boy in 1979-1980, at Blessed Sacrament in Waterbury. Vichas' assignments included St. Joseph's in Waterbury 1952-1964, St. Casimir's in New Haven 1964-1965, St. Patrick's in Enfield 1965-1971, and Blessed Sacrament 1971-2001. Vichas retired in 2001 and died in 2008.

Sources:

Fr. Toribio Villacastin

Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

From the Diocese of Tagblaran, Philippines. Visiting priest in the Archdiocese of Hartford 1968-1971. Left the priesthood in 1977. Died in 2008. In 2/2023 the Archdiocese announced a settlement in the low six figures with a woman who filed a claim in 2019 alleging that she was sexually abused as a child by Villacastin. The woman said the abuse occurred multiple times when she ages 8-9 during 1969-1970, in the St. Isaac Jogues Church sacristy and elsewhere. Included on the Archdiocese's list of accused.

Sources:

Fr. Felix Werpechowski

Ordained: 1929
Status: Accused

Died: 01/22/1972
Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Named publicly as accused by the Hartford archdiocese on its list 1/22/2019. Included on the Norwich diocese's list 2/22/2019. Retired 5/31/1971. Died 1/22/1972, prior to receipt of allegations. Per a 2019 report commissioned by the diocese, there were three allegations, of abuse of boys ages 5-14, occurring 1946-1951.

Assignments:

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Fr. Peter J. Zizka

Ordained: 1975
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Two suits filed in 1995 alleged abuse by Zizka in the 1970s while the female plaintiffs were children. Files in the suits were sealed until 1998. Another suit was filed in 7/1997. Zizka was not removed from his assignment until 1999. All three cases settled and the files were again sealed. By 10/2002 a total of five lawsuits had been filed against Zizka. All settled. Per the Archdiocese on its list 1/22/2019, Zizka was laicized in 2002.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Hartford Assignment Record

Sources:

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