Diocese of Gaylord MI

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Terry McKiernan February 26, 2021

17 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Patrick J. Barrett

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 03/30/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

Barrett was placed on leave in 2002 after a complaint that he molested a girl 30 years prior. The abuse was alleged to have taken place outside the diocese. Barrett also allegedly abused the accuser's four sisters, at least one as young as age 5. The Diocese's investigating committee said the charges were credible. Barrett died in 3/2006. Included on the Diocese's list 11/10/2018. Noted to have been permanently removed from public ministry in 2002. Included in the MI Attorney General's 1/8/2024 report.

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Fr. Walter William Derylo

Ordained: 1968
Status: Accused

Died: 08/17/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

In 5/2007 a woman told the Diocese that Derylo touched her daughter when she was age 5 or 6. The woman said she had been in a sexual relationship with Derylo 1985 and into the 1990s, which Derylo confirmed, and that her daughter had recently told her of the 'touching.' The daughter wasn't sure how many times, but remembered one incident that allegedly occurred while Derylo was putting her pajamas on her.

Sources:

MI A.G. Gaylord Report 01.08.24

Fr. James Kemp Gardiner

Ordained: 1969
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

In 1997 the Diocese received a report that Gardiner had engaged in unwanted sexual touching with a man who had reached out to him while feeling suicidal. Gardiner admitted to the incident, which occurred in 12/1996. In 2015 a man reported sexual assault by Gardiner and Fr. Ronald Gronowoski numerous times when he was age 17 in the early 1980s. The alleged victim said that the priests paid him to keep quiet. The Diocese deemed the allegations against Gardiner not credible. In 2019 the man said that Gardiner was a life-long friend and that nothing sexual happened between them. Ministry restricted in 1/24 after Bishop Walsh met with the Diocesan Review Board.

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Fr. Ronald Vincent Gronowski

Ordained: 1969
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

Ordained for the Diocese of Saginaw. Became priest of the Gaylord diocese when it was created in 1971. Transferred in 1/1993 to the Diocese of Honolulu. Resigned in 5/2002 after a review of his personnel file showed allegations in 1994 that he was involved in sexual misconduct with a teenage boy over several years in the 1970s. His victim had complained to the Diocese that Gronowski was in active ministry. Gronowski admitted his behavior and apologized publicly. His victim said that Gronowski also had a "sexual relationship" with another teenager, who confirmed this in 1994. Gronowski was sent to treatment. Confidential settlement of $50K in 1995. Faculties for public ministry removed in 1996 by Honolulu bishop. Returned to MI, allowed to minister. Allegation in 2005 of abuse of a minor in the late 1960s. In 2024 there were three known allegations of the sexual abuse of minors and two young men 1969-1981. Also allegedly received pornography at a parish rectory in 2002 and showed it to kids. Grownowski moved to St. Petersburg FL in 2011. Included on the Diocese's list 11/10/2018. On the Saginaw diocese's list 4/10/2019. Included in the MI Attorney General's 1/8/2024 Gaylord report.

Assignments:

Diocese of Saginaw Assignment Record

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Fr. Lionel A. Harnish

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 06/10/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

First named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/10/2018. Per news in 1981, had three adopted sons. Removed from ministry in 1986 after a parish janitor found "incriminating photographs" in the building. Harnish died in 2011. (The 2007 list erroneously noted his death to have been in 2007.) Included in the MI Attorney General's 1/8/2024 Gaylord report.

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Fr. Wilbert (Norbert) Hegener

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1936
Status: Accused

Died: 07/15/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

Hegener's name was quietly added in late 2021 to the Diocese of Gaylord's list of those credibly accused of child sexual abuse. It notes that Hegener returned to his religious order in 1999 and died in 2009. Included in the 1/8/2024 MI Attorney General's Gaylord report. Accused in 10/2019 of groping a boy, ages 9-12 twice between 1984-1987. Included on the Franciscans' Our Lady of Guadalupe Province list as of 1/2024. (Hegener was a member of the Sacred Heart Province.)

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Fr. James A. Holtz

Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

Holtz resigned from his position 8/2002 after the Diocese investigated a report that he had sexually abused a minor in the early 1980s while under the influence of alcohol. He had received treatment for alcohol abuse in the mid-1980s. Had been adjutant judicial vicar on the Diocesan Tribunal. Permanently removed in 2002. Reportedly, Bishop Raica was told in 2016 that Holtz was working as a sacristan and was seen helping an altar boy with his belt. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused in 2018. Its updated list in 4/2021 shows that Holtz had been laicized. Included in the MI Attorney General's 1/8/2024 Gaylord report. Accused in 1988 of abuse of a boy, age 12 or 13, in 1983 or 1984, after plying him with alcohol. Holtz's victim told Bishop Cooney in 2002 that he knew of two other boys who may have been abused, one who attempted suicide and the other who died by suicide. In 2017 a woman alleged abuse by Holtz 1/1982-12/1986, beginning when she was 19. Allegation in 2019 that Holtz drugged and abused two boys in the mid-1970s.

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Fr. Francis Karl

Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 10/1/1994
Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

Accused in 11/2018 of sexually abusing an altar boy, age 13, in the late 1970s. Karl allegedly took the boy to his cabin, drugged and then abused him. Karl also allegedly took pictures. The boy told his mother who did not want to report it. He said he called the Diocese eight years later, at age 21, and was told by a secretary there was nothing they could do.

Sources:

MI A.G. Gaylord Report 01.08.24

Fr. Benedict J. Marciulionis

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1943
Status: Accused

Died: 05/5/2000
Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

First named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/10/2018. Removed from ministry in 1981. Died in 2000. Included in the MI Attorney General's 1/8/2024 Gaylord report. Per the report, in 8/2007 a woman told the Diocese that Marciuilonis molested her in the early 1980s, when she was in fifth through eighth grades. She said the abuse occurred in his car, his bedroom, the confessional and in the rectory. She said he also sexually abused her siblings, and that the abuse ended after a sister told their mother. Police investigated and Marciulionis was removed from the parish several weeks later.

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Fr. Bryan W. Medlin

Ordained: 2013
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

In 12/2021 the diocese acknowledged that Medlin was being investigated by the MI Attorney General due to allegedly sending inappropriate texts to high schoolers. Medlin was pastor at the time of the National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods in Indian River and assistant director of vocations for the diocese. He was placed on leave pending the civil and diocesan investigations. In 3/2022 the A.G.'s office announced that it did find that Medlin had sent inappropriate messages to teens and young men, but it would not file criminal charges because the behavior "did not meet the threshold of criminal behavior beyond a reasonable doubt." The diocese announced in 6/2022 that Medlin would remain indefinitely on administrative leave with monitoring, and was not allowed to present himself as a priest.He was laicized in 3/2023. Included in the MI Attorney General's 1/8/2024 Gaylord report.

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Fr. Leo Olschausken

Order: OPraem
Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 07/21/1987
Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

From Lithuania. Arrived in Chicago in 1958. Assigned to St. Michael's Lithuanian Church in Chicago, then chaplain 1961-1974 in the Diocese of Grand Rapids MI at Mercy Hospital in Cadillac. First named publicly as accused on the Diocese of Gaylord's list 11/10/2018 (name erroneously spelled "Olschaysken.") Noted to have been removed from the diocese and returned to his Order in 1974. Per a parish history for St. Mary of the Assumption in Coal City IL, diocese of Joliet, Olschausken was assigned there 1974 until his death 7/21/1987. Further, "Father Leo endeared himself to the Altar Severs. These boys were his special charge. They became very close to him and he to them." Included in the MI Attorney General's 1/8/2024 Gaylord report.

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Fr. Raymond John Pilarski

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 10/19/2017
Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

Ordained for the Saginaw diocese; became a priest of the Gaylord diocese at its creation in 1971. Retired in 1998. In 2/2007 the Diocese announced that Pilarski had been permanently removed from ministry in 2006 due to allegations of abuse a 13-year-old girl and a 22-year-old woman, both in the mid-1970s. The Vatican agreed with the decision to permanently remove him from active ministry. He died 10/19/2017 in Alpena, MI. Name included on the Diocese's list 11/10/2018. On the Saginaw Diocese's list 4/10/2019. Included in the MI Attorney General's 1/8/2024 Gaylord report, which shows multiple allegations of abuse of girls and adult women, occurring as early as the 1950s and continuing for decades.

Assignments:

Diocese of Saginaw Assignment Record

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Fr. Terrence Andrew Raymond

Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Died: 12/11/1986
Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

Ordained for the Diocese of Saginaw. Became a priest of the Diocese of Gaylord when it was created in 1971. Left the priesthood in 1985. Died in 1986. First named publicly as accused by the Gaylord diocese on its list 11/10/2018. On the Saginaw diocese's list by 8/9/2019. Included in the MI Attorney General's 1/8/2024 Gaylord report, which shows multiple allegations of the sexual abuse of girls, as young as age 6, and sexual 'relationships' with adult women, two of which produced children.

Assignments:

Diocese of Saginaw Assignment Record

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Fr. Laurus R. Rhode

Donate Photo

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 08/29/1995
Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

First named publicly as accused on the Diocese of Gaylord's list 11/10/2018. Noted to have been removed from the diocese and returned to his Order in 1993. Died in 1995. Included in the MI Attorney General's 1/8/2024 Gaylord report, which shows that Laurus was accused of inappropriate hugging and of kissing and fondling girls, as young as age 6. Included on the Franciscans' Our Lady of Guadalupe list of credibly accused as of 1/2024. (Member of the Sacred Heart Province.)

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Fr. Robert Gordon Smith

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 06/24/1980
Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

Ordained for the Diocese of Gaylord. Became a Saginaw diocese priest when it was created in 1971. First named publicly as accused by the Gaylord diocese on its list 11/10/2018. Died 6/24/1980. Name included on the Saginaw diocese's list 4/10/2019, which notes that Smith was previously removed from publicly ministry. Accused in 1957 of molesting a boy, age 13. Allegation in 2004 that Smith sexually abused a boy, beginning when the boy was age 10 in 1965 or 1966. The abuse allegedly included anal sex and forced sex with other boys. Another man reported in 2004 that Smith abused him 1970-1972, at age 14.

Assignments:

Diocese of Saginaw Assignment Record

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Deacon Richard R. Trapp

Status: Accused

Died: 02/5/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

Ordained for the permanent diaconate in 1975. Accused in 1990 of the recent fondling and kissing of a girl, age 7. Suspended. Restored to ministry after two months by Bishop Cooney, who said that a professional consultant told him that there was no reason that Trapp couldn't be returned to his duties. Trapp died in 2013.

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Fr. John Tupper

Ordained: 1960
Status: Settled

Died: 07/27/2004
Diocese: Diocese of Gaylord MI

Ordained for the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Joined Gaylord when it was created in 1971. Worked there until retirement. Did missionary work in Brazil 1980-1989 with the Franciscan Friars. Faculties were removed in 8/2002 after officials were contacted by a person who charged that he was involved in inappropriate conduct involving a minor about 30 years previously. During the investigation, a second person came forward with allegations. Tupper denied all accusations. Died 07/27/2004. Added to the Gaylord diocese's list of credibly accused in 4/2021. Included in the MI Attorney General's 1/8/2024 Gaylord report. Accused in 1994 of sexual misconduct toward a hospital patient, who was an adult woman. Settlement of $20k. Report in 4/2002 that Tupper tried to rape a girl, age 15 or 16, in around 1969. His accuser said he also abused a teenage boy and was in "negative situations" with two adult women. The diocese interviewed the alleged male victim who acknowledged abuse by Tupper.

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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.