Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN - BishopAccountability.org

40 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Thomas J. Amsden

Ordained: 1968
Status: Sued

Resigned from ministry in 1995 to marry and start a family. Sued in 2004 by a man alleging Amsden and another priest sexually abused him in the 1970s. In 3/2006 the Diocesan Review Board determined that the allegations were not credible 3/2006.

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Fr. Carlton J. Beever

Ordained: 1974
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Sued in 2004. Accused with another (former) priest of the sexual abuse of a boy 1972-1977. Spent 18 months on leave before cleared by Review Board and reinstated in 3/2006.

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Fr. Germain Belen

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1950
Status: Sued

Died: 12/11/2004
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Associate parish pastor in KY, WI, IN, NM, NE. Pastor in IN, OH, MI, GA. Accused in 1991 of "plant[ing] a big wet kiss" on a female parishioner of Holy Cross in Lansing MI, after inviting her to go for a car ride in 1989 or 1990. The woman said a neighbor told her the same thing had happened to at least two other women in the parish. Belen retired in 2001 after a stroke. A lawsuit filed in 2003 claimed that Belen molested and raped a girl, ages 5-10, several times in the 1970s in Terre Haute, IN. The woman said she reported the abuse to the Franciscan provincial who told her that Belen had retired and wasn't a threat to children. When she discovered that Belen was residing at Holy Cross Parish she called the Province to object. She was told that Belen would be removed from the parish the following day. The Diocese said the accusation was "totally out of character for Fr. Belen." Belen claimed in his legal response that too much time had passed and the matter should be handled by the church rather than the state. He died 12/11/2004. The suit was still active as of 2/2007.

Assignments:

FranciscansUSA 03.00.13

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Fr. William Leroy Blackwell

Ordained: 1957
Status: Sued

Died: 02/2/1990
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Died in 1990. Accused in a 2/2004 civil suit of sexually abusing a boy at St. Mary School in the late 1950s. The suit alleges that abuse occurred at the school and on trips to home of Blackwell's parents in Indianapolis. A second civil suit filed in 8/2005 alleged that Blackwell abused another youth between 1956 and 1961 at places including St. Mary's in sacristy and the rectory. Included on the Archdiocese's 10/12/2018 list of credibly accused. Noted to have eight victims, in 1958 and 1964-1968.

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Fr. Edward Theodore Bockhold

Ordained: 1920
Status: Accused

Died: 03/12/1972
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Monsignor. Pastor 1938-1969 of Holy Trinity in Indianapolis. Died 3/12/1972. First named publicly by the Archdiocese on its 10/12/2018 list of credibly accused. Abuse was reported after his death of two minors, allegedly occurring in 1949 and 1961.

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Br. J. Patrick Sheehy

Order: SJ
Status: Accused

Died: 10/23/1992
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

In 6/2021 the Brebeuf Jesuit High School president announced that Sheehy had been credibly accused of sexually abusing a student in 1978, while a resident of the Brebeuf Jesuit Community. School leadership was notified of the allegation in 2/2020. The Jesuits Midwest Province list in 1/2022 revealed multiple allegations agains Sheehy, with incidents 1967, 1975, 1984-1988 while Chaplain of the Marion County Sheriff's Department and residing at Breubeuf. Sheehy entered the order in 1959. He was the Brebeuf High's president 1987-1992. Died 10/23/1992.

Assignments:

Jesuits Midwest Province Assignment Record

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Fr. Conrad Louis Cambron

Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

First named publicly as credibly accused the Archdiocese on its 10/12/18 list. Noted to have two victims, incidents occurring in 1978 and 1980. Cambron resigned from the priesthood in 1985.

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Fr. Jeffrey James Charlton

Ordained: 1983
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

First named publicly by the Archdiocese's on list of credibly accused 10/12/2018. Noted to have abused three minors, in 1982, 1984, 1986-1987. Resigned from the priesthood in 1995. Laicized 11/17/2014.

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Fr. Samuel Thomas Curry

Ordained: 1970
Status: Sued

Died: 02/7/1991
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Two sisters filed suit in 1/2004 alleging sexual abuse by Curry 1976-1979, when they were ages 9-12 and 12-15. The abuse allegedly occurred while he was assigned to St. Jude's in Spencer, IN. Taught at Scecina High School 1972-1974. Assigned to Tell City, Indianapolis, and Shelbyville parishes; pastor St. Jude in Spencer 1976-1986. Transferred in 1986 to the Pensacola-Tallahasse FL diocese. Died 2/7/1991, age 47. Included on the Indianapolis archdiocese's list of credibly accused 10/12/2018, which notes seven known victims. Included on the Pensacola-Tallahassee list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee List 04.15.21

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Sr. Ann Daylor

Donate Photo

Order: OP
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Accused in 2002 of one incident of sexual misconduct during the 1961-1962 school year with a 10-year-old girl in a parish school in the Indianapolis archdiocese. Daylor had been assigned to parishes in the Boston area for 34 years when suspended in 2002 due to the allegation. She denied wrongdoing and the complainant did not wish to file suit.

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Fr. Albert Vincent Deery

Ordained: 1921
Status: Sued

Died: 08/25/1972
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Accused of sexual abuse of both boys and girls 1948-1969. Died 8/25/1972. First civil suit was filed in 2003. Eventually 23 plaintiffs participated. The suit was dismissed due to the statute of limitations 6/03/2006. Included on Archdiocese's list of credibly accused 10/12/2018.

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Fr. Michael E. Dorrler

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1983
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/2018. It notes a single allegation of abuse occurring in 1990, while assigned to Brebeuf Jesuit Prep in Indianapolis. Permanently removed from public ministry. Included on the Indianapolis archdiocese's list updated in 12/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Jesuits Midwest Province Assignment Record 12.21.18

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Fr. Patrick A. Doyle

Ordained: 1975
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Suspended in 9/2018 after a report to the Archdiocese of sexual misconduct, dating back several decades. The report was relayed to Indiana Child Protective Services. Assignments included: teacher at Bishop Chatard High School; priest-moderator at St. Maurice in Napolean; pastor of Nativity parish in Indianapolis. Named as credibly accused on the Archdiocese's list 10/12/2018. Noted to have one victim who was age 18 in 1987 "when at least the abuse occurred, but was a minor when the "emotional aspects of the relationship began."

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Indianapolis

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Fr. Jack F. Emrich

Ordained: 1998
Status: Accused

Died: 12/9/2018
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

First named publicly as credibly accused by the Archdiocese on its list 10/12/2018. Noted to have one allegation against him of abuse occurring in the 1970s. Removed from ministry in 2003. Died 12/9/2018.

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Fr. Donald J. Evrard

Ordained: 1956
Status: Settled

Died: 12/27/2008
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Removed as chaplain at St. Vincent Hospital in 1998 after allegations that he sexually abused a young girl for 4 years, beginning when she was 5 years old in 1974. Evrard's accuser reached a confidential settlement with the Archdiocese in 12/1997 for counseling and legal expenses. Evrard is included on the Archdiocese's 10/12/2018 list of credibly accused, which notes five victims, allegedly abused in 1977 and 1985. Evrard died in 12/27/2008.

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Fr. Brennan Harris

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1969
Status: Accused

Died: 03/26/1993
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

First named publicly as accused on the Indianapolis archdiocese's list 10/12/2018. Noted to have one victim, of abuse allegedly occurring in 1971. Included on the Lake Charles diocese's list 4/11/2019; multiple victims noted, of abuse occurring 1983-1987 in Lake Arthur, LA and Port Arthur, TX. Principal of St. Maria Goretti High School in Lake Arthur. Diocese received allegations 1991 and 1995. Removed from ministry by his Order. Died in 1993.

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Fr. Micheal H. Kelley

Ordained: 1985
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Accused in 1989 of the sexual abuse of a youth who had just turned 18. Kelley had known the boy since he was a child. The youth reported it to the Archdiocese immediately; no action. He complained again in 2002; Kelley was sent to St. Luke's in MD for treatment. Placed on leave 8/2002. The Archdiocese's investigation did not clear Kelley who did admit to misconduct with adults. Included on the Archdiocese's 10/12/2018 list. Noted to have two victims, who were allegedly abused in 1990 and 1992.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Bernard P. Knoth

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1977
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Resigned in 2003 as president of Loyola University in New Orleans after allegations that he sexually abused a student at Brebeuf Jesuit Prep in Indianapolis, where he was principal 1986-1988. Prior to New Orleans, Knoth worked at universities in Washington DC and Chicago. The abuse is alleged to have occurred in 1986. He denied it. Order deemed complaint credible. Privileges removed. As of 1/2007 Knoth was working in private business in Sarasota, FL. Laicized 8/29/2009. On the Indianapolis archdiocese's list 10/12/2018. On the New Orleans archdiocese's list 11/2/2018. On Jesuits Central and Southern Province list 12/7/2018. On Jesuits Midwest list 12/17/2018. Multiple allegations noted. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Fr. Joseph Stanley Kos

Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Died: 08/9/2000
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Parish priest, high school teacher, hospital chaplain. Died 8/9/2000. First named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its 10/12/2018 list of credibly accused. Noted to have three victims, allegedly abused in the mid-1980s.

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Fr. John Stanley Kramer

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1944
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

First named publicly as accused on archdiocese's list 10/12/18. Allegations reported after his death. Died 1/28/86. Noted to have one victim, abuse allegedly occurring 1947-52.

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Fr. William Kreis

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1904
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

First named publicly as accused on archdiocese's list 10/12/18. Noted to have one victim, abuse allegedly occurring 1944-46. Kreis died 3/10/54. Allegation reported after his death.

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Fr. Laurence Michael Lynch

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

First named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's 10/12/18 list. Noted to have one victim, allegedly abused 1972-73. Resigned form ministry 1979. Died 7/17/09.

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Fr. David J. Marcotte

Ordained: 2014
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Suspended in 2/19 by the archdiocese after it received an allegation that Marcotte sexually abused a teenage boy in 2016. Criminally charged in 10/19 with child solicitation, vicarious sexual gratification, and dissemination of matter harmful to minors. Archdiocese was sued in 7/20 by insurance company for failure to disclose allegations against Marcotte. Pleaded guilty in 3/22 to the of dissemination of matter harmful to minors. To be sentenced 4/7/22. Plea deal rejected by a judge in 4/22. Sentenced in a plea deal in 11/22 to a year of home detention followed by 18 months' probation. He was not required to register as a sex offender.

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Fr. John S. Maung

Ordained: 1963
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Native of India. Worked in Burma and San Francisco, then Indianapolis beginning 1981. Incardinated 1986. Charged in 1998 with forgery and theft, accused of stealing around $14K from St. Joseph parish in Shelbyville. Charges dropped when he agreed to repay some of the money. Retired 2009. Suspension announced by the archdiocese 8/30/18 after it received an allegation that Maung abused a child 1993-97. Maung denied the allegation. Included on archdioces's list 10/12/18.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Indianapolis

Sources:

WIBC 08.30.18
Archdiocese of Indianapolis Statement 08.30.18
Indianapolis Star 08.30.18
Indianapolis Star 10.12.18
Archdiocese of Indianapolis 10.12.18

Fr. Arthur Mergen

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/22/19. It notes two credible allegations. Left the diocese in 1988 withough the bishop's permission. Died 12/14/94.

Assignments:

Diocese of Evansville List 02.22.19

Sources:

Diocese of Evansville List 02.22.19

Fr. Severin Messick

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1982
Status: Accused

Died: 09/28/2011
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese of Owensboro on its list in 5/22. Worked in the diocese off and on 1983-1996. Also had assignments in the Diocese of Evansville and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Per the Owensboro list, there was one allegation of abuse, occurring while Messick was in Indianapolis. Messick was a teacher and parish priest, and he served on the the Tribunals for the Diocese of Owensboro and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. He died in 2011.

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Fr. Karl Joseph Miltz

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

First named publicly as accused on archdiocese's list 10/12/18. Noted to have one victim, abuse allegedly occurring in 1974. Victim was age 18 at time of abuse, but was a minor "when at least the emotional aspects of the relationship began." Removed from ministry in 1998, laicized 12/05.

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Fr. Harold Monroe

Ordained: 1974
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Moved several times over 10 years. Removed in 1981 after a woman complained of abuse of her son. "Relieved" by Archbishop O'Meara in 1984. Youth whose mother reported the 1981 abuse died by suicide before age 20. Accused of abuse of many youths before 1984. Gave them marijuana and alcohol. Named in 13 suits filed 2005-06. Admitted abuse of at least 5 in deposition. Diocese knew by 1976. One claim settled 5/10 for $199K. Original plaintiff settled 9/10. On archdiocese's 10/12/18 list, with 16 victims noted and abuse occurring 1976-82. Laicized 4/8/11.

Fr. William O’Brien

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1951
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Sued 2003 by two brothers claiming O'Brien abused them 1951-1957. Died in 1967.

Sources:

Palladium-Item (IN) 10.09.03
Indianapolis Star 06.07.06

Fr. Eugene Jack Okon

Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Accused in 2002 of molesting two teenage brothers in the 1970s. Complaints had been made previously about abuse of one of the brothers; nothing done until second one came forward. Resigned from ministry in 2003 as part of settlement. Included on archdiocese's list 10/12/18. Noted to have four victims, allegedly abused in 1974. Died 11/29/12.

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Fr. Ponciano M. Ramos

Order: SVD
Ordained: 1985
Status: Guilty plea

Died: 06/29/2021
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

From the Philippines. Pleaded guilty in 1993 to three misdemeanors for strip-searching young boys in Indianapolis after they set off stink bombs in the parish school. Sentenced to an 18-month suspended sentence and 15 months' probation. Was moved to Chicago and then to the Diocese of San Bernardino, CA. Placed on leave in 4/2002. Allowed to return to restricted duty with the Order in 2003. Included on the San Bernardino diocese's list in 10/2018; noted to be permanently banned from ministry in the diocese. Died in 2021. Included on the Society of the Divine Word's Chicago and Western Provinces lists. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Divine Word Missionaries Chicago Province List

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Fr. Roger Gerard Rudolf

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1992
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

First named publicly as accused on archdiocese's 10/12/2018 list. Noted to have one victim, allegedly abused 1987-1988. Removed in 2002. Laicized in 5/2015.

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Fr. Thomas Aquinas Schaefers

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1914
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Report to the diocese in 2010 that Schaefers abused a male minor in the early 1940s, when pastor of St. Benedict. Died 5/22/42, age 53.

Sources:

Evansville Courier & Press 03.02.19

Fr. Frederick Adam Schmitt

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

First named publicly as accused on the archdicoese's list 10/12/18. Noted to have three victims, allegedly abused 1973-74. Died 12/30/88. Abuse reported after his death.

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Fr. John Bernard Schoettelkotte

Ordained: 1960
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Accused in a 2002 civil suit of abuse of a 15-year-old girl in the 1960s. Removed from ministry in 2003. Suit settled in 6/05 in exchange for publishing statements from plaintiff and Archbishop Buechlein in the archdiocesan newspaper. At least one other woman alleged abuse. Included on archdiocese's 10/12/18 list. Noted to have five victims, allegedly abused 1964-67.

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Fr. James Joseph Shanahan

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

First named publicly as accused on archdiocese's list 10/12/18. Noted to have one victim, abuse allegedly occurring 1958. Shanahan died 11/14/92. Allegations reported after his death.

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Fr. Myles Hale Patrick Smith

Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Died: 05/2/2012
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

First named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list 10/12/2018. Noted to have three victims who were allegedly abused 1976-1988. Pastor of St. John the Apostle in Bloomington 1982-1995. Removed from ministry in 2003. Per his obituary, he was granted early retirement in 2007. Died 5/2/2012.

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Fr. Jonathan L. Stewart

Ordained: 1991
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

A woman filed suit in 3/04 on behalf of her 17-year- old son. Stewart allegedly molested the boy at ages 7 to 13 from 1993 through 1999. Restricted ministry after allegations received in 2/01. Removed from ministry in 2003. Church investigation continued. Church denied it knew abuse continued through 1999. Plaintiff's attorney said social workers at Family Social Services found evidence of the abuse. Jury awarded $155K in damages 4/25/08. On archdiocese's list 10/12/18.

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Fr. Charles E. Sullivan

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1938
Status: Accused

Died: 09/3/1996
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis on their lists in 12/2018. Abuse allegedly occurred while Sullivan was assigned to Our Lady of the Springs in French Lick, IN 1958-1959. Per the Jesuits, a single allegation was received after Sullivan's death. Died 9/3/1996. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Jesuits Midwest Province Assignment Record 12.21.18

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Fr. George Peter Ziemer

Ordained: 1919
Status: Accused

Died: 04/26/1980
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis IN

First named publicly as accused on the Archdiocese's list 10/12/2018. Noted to have one victim of sexual abuse allegedly occurring 1955-1957. Ziemer died 4/26/1980. Allegations were reported after his death.

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Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. 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.