17 Accused in This Diocese
- Diocese of Evansville List 02.22.19
- Evansville Courier & Press 05.05.02
- Courier & Press 05.05.02
- Courier & Press 05.06.02
- Courier & Press 05.06.02
- Courier & Press 05.07.02
- Courier & Press 05.07.02
- Courier & Press 06.08.02
- Kokomo Tribune 06.08.02
- Dallas Morning News 06.12.02
- Courier & Press 06.15.02
- Courier & Press 07.02.02
- Kokomo Tribune 07.02.02
- Courier & Press 11.14.02
- Courier & Press 12.19.03
- Courier & Press 03.21.04
- Diocese of Evansville List 02.22.19
- Diocese of Evansville List 02.22.19
- Diocese of Evansville List 02.22.19
- Diocese of Evansville List 02.22.19
- Diocese of Evansville List 02.22.19
- Diocese of Evansville List 02.22.19
- Evansville Courier 05.05.02
- Courier & Press 05.06.02
- Courier & Press 05.07.02
- Courier & Press 05.07.02
- Courier & Press 05.12.02
- Courier & Press 05.13.02
- Courier & Press 06.10.02
- Courier & Press 01.07.04
- Courier & Press 03.21.04
- Diocese of Evansville List 02.22.19
- Detailed BA.org Assignment Record
- Diocese of Evansville List 02.22.19
- Bishop Gettelfinger Statement 08.18.07
- Boeglin Letter 08.18.07
- ABC7 (AP) 08.20.07
- Courier Journal (AP) 08.21.07
- WFIE 08.21.07
- Courier & Press 08.22.07
- Courier & Press 08.29.07
- WEHT 08.30.07
- NY Times 08.30.07
- Associated Press 08.31.07
- Courier & Press 08.31.07
- Tri-State Home Page 09.02.07
- WFIE 11.15.07
- Courier & Press 11.19.07
- WFIE 11.19.07
- Sun-Commercial 03.21.14
- Indianapolis Star 04.20.14
- Catholic Philly 01.13.17
- Diocese of Evansville List 02.22.19
- Diocese of Evansville Website 02.26.12
- Diocese of Evansville List 02.22.19
- South Bend Tribune 03.13.96
- National Catholic Reporter 05.03.96
- South Bend Tribune 06.28.96
- Evansville Courier & Press 10.13.99
- ABC 04.03.02
- Indianapolis Star 04.04.02
- NY Times 04.15.02
- Beliefnet 06.01.02
- Associated Press 06.10.02
- Evansville Courier & Press 06.15.02
- Associated Press 06.20.02
- Diocese of Evansville List 02.22.19
- Courier & Press 02.22.19
- Evansville Courier & Press 03.02.19
Fr. Michael E. Allen
Accused in a 1993 letter to Bishop Gettelfinger of sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy in 1976; Allen admitted the abuse in 1994, was sent for treatment, then returned to ministry. His accuser came forward again 5/5/02; Allen was not removed until 6/02. Army chaplain 1972-93. Working in 2004 in a civilian commissary in Kuwait, on contract with the U.S. Military. He was seen saying mass but the Archdiocese of Military Services said he had no privileges.
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Fr. John Breidenbach
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/22/19. One credible allegation noted. Admitted to sexually abusing minors prior to ordination as a deacon. Removed from public ministry 3/14/14.
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Fr. Joseph (Mark) Ciganovich
Arrested in a nationwide child pornography sting in 5/1996. Removed from public ministry and placed under supervision by his Order. Had been a moral theology professor at St. Meinrad School of Theology for 17 years before resigning in 8/1996. Pleaded guilty in 12/1996 to a federal charge of receiving child pornography in the mail. Sentenced to one year and one day in a federal penitentiary, a $3000 fine, and two years' supervised release. Name appears on the Carmelites' 11/22/20 list of accused. Separated from the Order in 1996. From 1997-2011 he had no ministry, chose exclaustration and was a Federal Facility Prisoner in KY. He died 1/13/2011. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which shows at least one "reported survivor," of abuse.
Fr. Joseph L. Clauss
Removed 1990 after allegations that he abused a youth in OH. Had been living for 11 years in the Servants of the Paraclete treatment facility in Jemez Springs, NM; not allowed to leave without supervision. Per one source in 2002, Clauss was an "incurable pedophile" and had recently been soliciting money from former parishioners who believed he was doing mission work on Indian reservations. Another allegation surfaced 5/02. Clauss died 10/11/03. On the diocese's list 2/22/19. It notes 10 credible allegations and that he admitted to at least 1. Administrative leave 12/90, removed from public ministry 7/92.
Fr. James Clements
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/22/19. One credible allegation, to which he admitted. Laicized 4/18/77. Died 12/21/96.
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Fr. Wilfred Englert
Arrested and then placed on leave 8/05 after allegations he sexually molested a 19-year-old man who had the mental capacity of a 9-year old. Abuse occurred numerous times in early 2005. Englert claimed the sex was consensual. He later pleaded guilty to 2 counts of abuse. Sentenced in 10/06 to 2 terms of 1.5 yrs in Dubois County Jail. Received another 3 years in 2/07. Released 1/08. On sex offender registry. Not in compliance 2/10. Listed as on "administrative leave" per diocesan website 2/2/09. On diocese's list 2/22/19. It notes that he was laicized 10/1/09.
Fr. Bernard T. Etienne
"Bernie." Parish priest, Teens Encounter Christ chaplain, diocesan vocations director, vicar general, administrator. Placed on administrative leave in 4/22 due to an allegation of sexual misconduct dating to more than 20 years prior. Etienne denied the allegation. Returned to active ministry in 11/27 after the diocesan Review Board determined that the allegation was unsubstantiated.
Fr. David Fleck
Suspended in 9/18 after diocese received a report of sexual misconduct by Fleck occurring "decades ago." Diocese notified Child Protective Services. Fleck worked in schools and parishes in Vincennes, Petersburg, Montgomery, Oakland City and Bicknell. Also, resided in Haubstadt. Allegedly solicited two boys, who were students at Vincennes Rivet High School, in the 1980s. Fleck denied the allegation. Name not included on the diocese's 2/22/19 list. Remained on leave in 8/19.
Fr. Kenneth L. Graehler
Removed in 6/02 after an allegation of misconduct with a minor. In 9/02 he was scheduled to return to ministry, per the Bishop, although the Review Board had not seen the psychological evaluation.The Board found that there was "reasonable cause" to believe Graehler took part in "inappropriate" conduct," but that the conduct did not constitute sexual misconduct. Retired in 11/02. Died 2/19/16.
Fr. Warren Heitz
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/22/19. It notes two credible allegations. Removed from ministry by the Benedictines' St. Meinrad Archabbey in 2002, after St. Meinrad's review board deemed the allegations credible.
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Fr. Raymond L. Kuper
At a Senate hearing in 2/19 a man testified that when he was age 9 and a student at Christ the King school, Kuper sexually abused him multiple times. The man's family reportedly informed the diocese of the allegations in 8/18. Kuper was pastor of Christ the King 1977-87. Assignments also included St. Agnes and Holy Rosary, and St. Bernard in Rockport. He was also superintendent of Rex Mundi High School at some point and diocesan superintendent 1972-77. Retired in 2006. Died 11/13/12. Name not included on the diocese's list 2/22/19. The diocese announced in 6/20 that it could not substantiate the allgegations.
Fr. Mark Kurzendoerfer
Accused of "improper physical relationship" with a 14-year-old boy in 1981. In 1998 he admitted to soliciting sex from his own 17-year-old nephew. Diocese did not tell authorities. Sent for treatment in 1998, reassigned in 1999. Info became public 2002 when nephew came forward after Kurzendoerfer was removed from parish. Sent for therapy again 2002 after violating restrictions. Moved to Nashville in 2002; worked there until 2004 when boss learned of his past. On diocese's list 2/22/19. It notes four credible allegations and that he admitted to two. Laicized 11/1/09.
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Fr. Othmar H. Schroeder
Died 2/16/88. Allegations of abuse by Schroeder 1947-75 at Holy Family parish were made public 8/18/07. Bishop Gettelfinger stated that he knew of allegations in 1996 but recently learned that the "scope is greater than we knew." By 8/31/07 there were claims of abuse of at least 10 boys and girls. Schroeder began as a priest of the then-diocese of Indianapolis. His first parish was in Lawrence IN, near Cincinnati, now in the archdiocese of Indianapolis. On the diocese's list 2/22/19.
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Fr. Francis A. Schroering
Accused in 2002 of fondling two girls in the 1960s. Removed in 6/02. HIs accusers were asked to meet with a psychologist who was to make a report to the Diocesan Review Board. In 9/02 the Board considered one claim and recommended that Schroering be "immediately" reinstated. The other claim was not considered because the girl was 18 at the time of the alleged abuse. Retired in 6/03 due to "illness." Died 6/1/05. At one parish, admitted abuser Fr. Mark Kurzendoerfer was Schroering's assistant pastor.
Fr. Jean F. Vogler
Caught in a sting ordering child pornography for delivery to the Holy Rosary rectory, where he was pastor. Inspectors found 92 videos in a trunk in the rectory, many of them 'extremely graphic and explicit child porn.' Resigned 12/8/95; convicted and sent to prison for a year. As of 2008, Vogler was lead priest at Holy Trinity parish, director of diocese's deacon program, and member of the priests' council. Retired 9/2/11 per diocese website accessed 2/26/12. Allowed active ministry until removed 2/19/19, just before the diocese released its list of credibly accused clerics.On the diocese's list 2/22/19.
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Fr. Richard J. Wildeman
Removed in 5/02 after admitting to bishop that allegations that he fondled a 16-year-old girl on several occasions over 20 years before were "substantially true." Had been working in Haiti for two years; recalled to Evansville after his victim notified the diocese. Left active ministry 5/28/02. In 3/04 he was living in Nashville, TN. Laicized 8/17/07. On the diocese's list 2/22/19.
Fr. Robert Woerdeman
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/22/19. One allegation noted, deemed credible by the St. Meinrad Archabbey Review Board. Woerdeman was laicized in 1975 and died in 2005.