Diocese of Owensboro KY - BishopAccountability.org

14 Accused in This Diocese

Br. Joseph J. Alexander

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1973
Status: Accused

Placed on leave by the Lafayette LA diocese in 4/2002 due to an allegation that he had abused a teen boy prior to ordination in the early 1960s, while a Benedictine brother. Alexander acknowledged his involvement in the incident. At the time of the abuse, Alexander was a monk at St. Maur's Priory in South Union KY and the boy was a student, apparently at St. Maur's Preparatory Seminary. Alexander had joined the Benedictine order in 1955. Ordained a Benedictine priest in 1973. Arrived in the Lafayette LA diocese in 1984. An allegation was reported to Lafayette in 1/2019 of abuse of a minor by Alexander while at St Anthony's in Eunice, where he worked 9/1988 - 4/2002. Included on the Owensboro diocese's list 4/12/2019, which states that the St. Maur allegation was considered substantiated. On the Lafayette LA diocese's list in 4/2019.

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Fr. Gerald H. Baker

Ordained: 1983
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Owensboro KY

Pastor of St. Mary of the Woods in Whitesville KY since 6/2012. Suspended after the diocese received an allegation on 5/3/2016 of 'improper conduct of a sexual nature' with a male minor from St. Mary's. Kentucky State Police investigated. Two more people came forward with allegations of sex abuse by Baker as minors. Baker worked in parishes across Western KY. At the time of his suspension he was also pastor of St. John the Baptist in Fordsville. The Review Board deemed the allegations substantiated and Baker was permanently suspended from ministry in 10/2018. Included in 4/12/2019 on the Owensboro diocese's list of priests with substantiated allegations. (Diocesan assignment list omits deanship 1996-2003 and other chancery positions.)

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Fr. Freddie Byrd

Ordained: 1988
Status: Reinstated

Diocese: Diocese of Owensboro KY

Pastor of St. Ann's in Morganfield KY when suspended from ministry in 6/2016, due to allegations he sexually abused a 17-year-old boy in 1983, prior to ordination. In 2008 a 23-year-old man shot and killed himself outside of Byrd's then-parish, Blessed Mother; the man mentioned Byrd in a suicide note. He wrote that he had experienced "pain and torment" because of sexual abuse in the Catholic church, but did not name an abuser. Of Byrd, the man wrote, "I forgive you." Reinstated in 9/2016. Per the diocese, "...the Diocesan Review Board further explored the information that has been compiled and counseled the bishop that there was insufficient information to substantiate the allegation."

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BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Delma Clemons

Ordained: 1966
Status: Settled

Died: 02/6/2021
Diocese: Diocese of Owensboro KY

Accused along with two other priests of abuse of a girl in the 1960s. The alleged victim settled with the Diocese in 1999 for $41K. In 2003 she died by suicide. Her family returned the settlement and filed suit on her behalf, saying she didn't have the capacity to enter into settlement. She had been hospitalized several times. The Diocese said she was 18 at the time of the 'relationship' and that it was consensual. Clemons was retired as of 11/2009. He died in 2/2021.

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Fr. Walter A. Hancock

Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Died: 03/2/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Owensboro KY

First identified publicly as accused on 4/12/2019 Owensboro diocesan list, which stated: 'multiple allegations deemed substantiated.' Assignment list published by the Owensboro diocese omits Hancock's assignment as pastor at St. Charles church in Livermore, as listed in the 1987 Official Catholic Directory. Died 3/2/2012.

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Owensboro Diocesan List with Assignments 04.12.19

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Owensboro Diocesan List 04.12.19

Fr. J. Gilbert Henninger

Ordained: 1937
Status: Accused

Died: 03/5/1990
Diocese: Diocese of Owensboro KY

Included in the 4/12/2019 Owensboro diocesan list of priests with substantiated allegations, which stated: 'multiple allegations received after his death, but deemed substantiated.' Diocesan list of assignments omits his appointment as Chancellor (1938-1947) and Vicar General (1947-1982). Title of monsignor granted in 1949. Died 3/5/1990.

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Owensboro Diocesan List with Assignments 04.12.19

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Owensboro Diocesan List 04.12.19

Fr. John R. Meredith

Ordained: 1980
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Owensboro KY

Meredith was placed on medical leave in early 12/2013 before being removed later in the month for credible accusations of inappropriate conduct with a minor. Police decided 1/16/2014 that alleged his conduct was not a criminal offense. Also, the case was closed because the minor was now an adult and did not want to be interviewed by the police. The incident may have involved a violation of church policy. Was to remain a priest, still on leave. Included in the 4/12/2019 Owensboro diocesan list of priests with substantiated allegations: 'one allegation deemed substantiated by the Diocesan Review Board.'

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Owensboro Diocesan List with Assignments 04.12.19

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Fr. Joseph J. Pilger

Ordained: 1955
Status: Convicted

Died: 12/5/2003
Diocese: Diocese of Owensboro KY

Ordained for the Diocese of Covington. Pleaded guilty in 1995 to sexually abusing three brothers and their cousin in the 1960s. Received five years' probation, beginning in 1/1995. Sued in 2003 for abuse 1960-1962. Suit settled in 12/2003 as part of a $5.2M settlement with 27 accusers involving six priests. Murdered in 12/2003 by a 26-year-old man who had been living with him. Included on the Owensboro diocese's list 4/12/2019, which notes 13 substantiated allegations. Included on the Covington diocese's list 7/31/2020. On the Lexington diocese's list in 8/2020. One known victim there, at St. Paul's in 1962.

Fr. Louis Francis Piskula

Ordained: 1975
Status: Convicted

Died: 10/11/2018
Diocese: Diocese of Owensboro KY

Piskula, who "retired" in 2002, was arrested in 6/2012 after a Grand Jury indicted him on charges of first-degree sodomy, victim under 12, and first-degree sexual abuse. One man notified authorities in 2/2011 about incidents dating back to 1979 when Piskula was at Blessed Mother Church in Owensboro. Reports said Piskula had not had any ministerial duties since 2002, in accordance with the Dallas Charter. He was in a restricted assignment with the Diocese 1994-2002 after a similar allegation. Pleaded guilty 6/4/2014 to first-degree sexual abuse shortly before trial. Charge of first-degree sodomy dropped in plea agreement. Sentenced 8/6/2014 to five years' prison, to register as a sex offender for 20 years, and to receive sex offender treatment while in prison. Died 10/11/2018. Included on the 4/12/2019 Owensboro diocesan list of priests with substantiated allegations: 'six allegations deemed substantiated.'

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Owensboro Diocesan List with Assignments 04.12.19

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Fr. Richard M. Powers

Ordained: 1959
Status: Settled

Died: 02/13/2023
Diocese: Diocese of Owensboro KY

Accused with two other priests in 1995 of abusing a girl in the 1960s. Alleged victim settled with Diocese in 1999 for $41K. In 2003 she died by suicide. Her family returned the settlement and filed suit on her behalf, saying she didn't have the capacity to enter into a settlement; she had been hospitalized several times. The Diocese said she was 18 and the relationship was consensual. Powers denied all accusations. He was still an active priest in 7/2006; the suit was still pending. Retired in 2007. Remained active in the diocese in 11/2015. Died 2/13/2023.

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BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. John Speaks

Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Died: 06/11/2019
Diocese: Diocese of Owensboro KY

First identified publicly as accused on the 4/12/2019 Owensboro diocesan list of priests with substantiated allegations: 'one allegation deemed substantiated.' Speaks died 6/11/2019. Per his obituary, he was assigned to parishes until 2002, as a chaplain at Owensboro-Daviess Co. Hospital and at Carmel Home. He then worked at a bank for 15 years, apparently without the title 'Fr.' or 'Rev.'

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Owensboro Diocesan List 04.12.19

Fr. Robert Carroll Wheatley

Ordained: 1975
Status: Accused

Died: 10/7/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Owensboro KY

First identified publicly as accused on the 4/12/2019 Owensboro diocese's list of priests with substantiated allegations: 'two allegations deemed substantiated.' The Owensboro list of assignments for Wheatley is incomplete; e.g., it omits that he was Assistant Principal at Trinity High School in Whitesville 1976-1980; Principal of St Mary High School in Paducah 1984-1986; and Vice President for Student Affairs at Christian Brothers College in Memphis TN 1987-1988. Died 10/7/2013. Included in 8/2021 on the Diocese of Fresno's list of credibly accused, where he was assigned 2003-2008 as a chaplain at the Naval Air Station in Lemoore.

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Fr. Henry Wieder

Ordained: 1989
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Owensboro KY

First identified publicly as accused on the 4/12/2019 Owensboro diocesan list of priests with substantiated allegations: 'one allegation of sexual abuse received in 2002 involving incident prior to ordination deemed substantiated.' The Owensboro list of assignments omits Wieder's chancery position of Director of Youth Ministry, as indicated in the 1996 Official Catholic Directory. Per the list in 5/2022, Wieder left active ministry in 2003.

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Owensboro Diocesan List with Assignments 04.12.19

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Fr. Joseph Robert Willett

Ordained: 1968
Status: Settled

Died: 11/6/2001
Diocese: Diocese of Owensboro KY

Accused, along with two other priests, of abusing a girl in the 1960s. The alleged victim settled with the Diocese in 1999 for $41K. In 2003 she died by suicide. Her family returned the settlement and filed suit on her behalf, saying she didn't have capacity to enter into settlement. She had been hospitalized several times. The Diocese said she was 18 and that the relationship was 'consensual.' Willet died 11/6/2001.

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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.