38 Accused in This Diocese
- Diocese of Marquette List 12.13.19
- Associated Press 01.18.20
- Daily Press 01.18.20
- WZZM 03.11.20
- WLUC 03.11.20
- WWJ News 03.14.20
- White Lake Beacon 03.16.20
- Mining Gazette 04.01.20
- WZZM 05.21.20
- Daily Mining Gazette 05.22.20
- Mining Journal 10.22.20
- MLive 12.08.20
- MLive 04.22.21
- Associated Press 04.22.21
- Dept of Attorney General – Michigan 04.22.21
- Associated Press 05.16.21
- WJBK 05.16.21
- MLive 05.26.21
- Iron Mountain Daily News 05.29.21
- WLUC 07.13.21
- Iron Mountain Daily News 07.15.21
- MI A.G. Diocese of Marquette Final Report 10.27.22
- MI Attorney General 11.09.23
- MI Attorney General 01.08.24
- MI Attorney General 06.09.24
Fr. Casimir Adasiewicz
Per the MI Attorney General's 10/2022 report, the Diocese received a report in 2008 that Adasiewicz molested and raped a girl, age 7, in around 1965, at Sacred Heart in L'anse. Adasiewicz allegedly told her that if she reported the abuse, her brother would die. His accuser said she believed that Adasiewicz abused a lot of kids. Adasiewicz died in 1981.
Fr. Thomas Anderson
Per the 10/2022 MI Attorney General's Report, a man told the diocese in 2002 that he was sexually abused by Anderson 1963-1967, when he was in grades 1-5 at St. Agnes in Iron River. The abuse allegedly included sodomy. The man said he told his teacher, who called him a liar, and that he was not allowed to return to the school for 6th grade. In 2020 a second man alleged abuse at age 9 by Anderson, in Kingsford, MI. Anderson died in 1981.
Fr. Emil J. Beyer
Per the 10/2022 MI Attorney General's Report, the Diocese received a report in 1997 that Beyer sexually abused a boy at Holy Family Orphanage from 1944 until the boy left at age 14 in 1956. Beyer denied the allegations. The accuser's brother said the priest also abused him. The Diocesan Assessment Teams found the allegations by the first accuser "believable" and recommended Beyer be sent to St. Luke Institute for treatment. Beyer's faculties to minister were temporarily restricted. In 2001 the diocese stated that their investigation "...led us to confirm Father Beyer's denial of the allegations." A lawsuit filed in 2002 was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Beyer died in 2003.
Fr. Joseph D. Carne
Resigned in 7/2002 following a credible allegation of sexual misconduct involving a minor 27 years prior. Placed on a health-related leave of absence. Permanently removed from ministry in 4/2002, per the Diocese's list 12/13/2018. Per the MI Attorney General's Report in 10/2022, there were multiple allegations against Carne of the sexual abuse of boys ages 8-17 and male college students, and an attempt to forcibly kiss at least one teenage girl. Carne said he had been sexually abused by Fr. Michael Hale, which caused him "life-long troubles." Carne died 5/13/2019.
Fr. Leonard Cornelius
Per the MI Attorney General's Report in 10/22, Cornelius abused a minor, possibly a 16-year-old boy, in the 1980s while chaplain at The Carmelite Monastery in Iron Mountain. He was removed by his Order, sent to treatment, then assigned outside of the diocese. In 10/2022 he was a homilist for the Byzantine Catholic Church in Pittsburgh PA.
Fr. Richard T. Craig
Fr. Thomas P. Dunleavy
Per the MI Attorney General's Report in 10/2022, a woman reported to the diocese in 2002 that Dunleavy sexually assaulted her in the early 1950s, when she was in 6th or 7th grade at St. Joseph's in Sault Ste. Marie. The woman said she told a nun, who was the school principal, about the sexual assaults. Two other girls her age had also alleged abuse by the priest. The girls were each interviewed by the nun and another priest, and Dunleavy was "suddenly transferred." In 7/2002 another woman reported to the diocese that she and her sister were sexually abused by Dunleavy in the 1960s at St. Williams in Menominee, at ages 11 and 14. The woman said she told a priest in the 1980s about the abuse who told her to "forget about it." Further, the priest told her he relayed the allegations to Bishop Schmitt. In 10/2018 and again in 5/2022 a woman reported that when she was in 8th grade in the late 1960s in Menominee, Dunleavy sexually abused her and her sister. She said she reported the abuse in the 1990s to church authorities in Peoria IL.
Fr. Gino S. Ferraro
Named in the 10/2022 MI Attorney General's Report as the subject of allegations of child sexual abuse. In 2008 a woman told the diocese that Ferraro molested her when she was ages 8-17, and that others were also molested. The woman said she first told Rev. Raymond Hoefgan who responded that "Fr. Gino would never have done that." A second priest she told said "that couldn't have happened," and a third priest said there was nothing in Ferraro's file to support her claim. The case went before the Diocesan Review Board in 2008; the bishop offered the woman an apology and counseling. Ferraro died in 1976. The Official Catholic Directory shows that Ferraro began his priesthood in the Diocese of Rockford in 1930, then in Milwaukee as a priest of the Pious Society of the Missionaries of St. Charles (p.s.s.c.b.) by 1934 or 1935. He appears to have joined the Marquette diocese in 1938.
Fr. Wilbur M. Gibbs
Monsignor. Included in the MI Attorney General's Report in 10/2022 as the subject of allegations of child sexual abuse. Allegedly abused a Cuban refugee boy and other children who were living at Holy Family Home Orphanage in the late 1950s-early 1960s. Gibbs died in 1988.
Fr. Basil Goerner
Also known as Steve. Ordained at age 61 in 1993 after having been married and raising a family. Included in the MI A.G.'s 10/2022 report as the subject of allegations of sexual abuse. The diocese received a report in 1994 from a woman who said that Goerner sexually abused her in the early 1970s, when she was age 18, and that he also abused a 14-year-old girl during that time. Goerner was sent to Servants of the Paraclete in NM for for evaluation. Removed from all public ministry in 8/2002 due to the US Bishops' Charter. Goerner died in 2008.
Fr. Michael F. Hale
Included in the MI A.G.'s 10/2022 report as the subject of the sexual abuse of minors. Hale's personnel file shows an incident in his car in 1955 with a boy, age 15, who was hitchhiking, and mentions his "old problem." In 1956 two teenage boys at a Hancock parish told a priest that Hale took them and other boys on boat rides, gave them beer and sexually propositioned one of them multiple times. He also is said to have given boys alcohol in the rectory. Hale was sent to the Servants of the Paraclete in NM in 1956 then reassigned to a Caspian parish. Accused by 1968 of "sexual impropriety" with a boy at a Trenary church. He was then assigned as pastor of a Hubbel parish. In 1972 the father of a boy told Bishop Salatka that Hale had taken "liberties" with his son and that he should stop taking young boys to his camp. In 2004 a man reported that Hale had sexually abused him as a teenager. The same year, accused priest Joseph Carne said that he had been abused by Hale, leading to "lifelong troubles." Another man came forward in 2007, alleging abuse as a boy by Hale. Hale died in 1975. He appears to have remained in active ministry until his death.
Fr. Gerald F. Harrington
Included in the MI Attorney General's 10/2022 report as the subject of an allegation of abuse. Harrington died in 1962.
Fr. Donald Hartman
Multiple allegations. In 2/2011, a man picketed St. Peter's Cathedral in Marquette saying he was abused on multiple occasions by Hartman in Champion in about 1960. Hartman was reportedly forced to leave the parish as a result of the abuse. Named in the MI Attorney General's 10/2022 report. Accused in a 1991 lawsuit of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old altar boy at the Diocesan Retirement Home in Escanaba. Removed from public ministry in 1/1992 and sent to St. Luke's Institute in MD. In 2002 a man told the diocese he was an altar boy in the late 1950s at a St. Ignace parish and that Hartman was "pedophilic." In 4/2004 a man reported that Hartman sexually abused him multiple times in 1953-1954, when the man was age 14 or 15. He remembered that Hartman was arrested for sexually abusing boys while assigned in the Champion, Republic, Michigamme area. Accused in 2005 of abuse 1960-1961 of an altar boy, age 11 or 12 in St. Ignace. His parents confronted Hartman, who was transferred. The accuser said other boys were abused as well. Accused in 2010 of abuse of a boy, age 9 or 10, in 1963 in Champion. After a woman saw an incident, police were notified. Hartman was removed from the parish. He died in 1999.
Fr. Aloysius J. Hasenberg
Resigned from St. Agnes in Iron River and retired in 1997 after allegations that he paid men for sex in the parish rectory. Sent to Immaculate Conception in Watersmeet, allowed limited ministry. Included in the MI A.G.'s 10/2022 report. Criminal investigation in 12/2002 for rape of a cognitively impaired man 12/9/2002; Hasenburg allegedly had been paying the man for sex in the rectory for 3 years, as well as other men. Police found the allegations credible, but no charges. Sent to St. Luke Institute in MD for treatment. Accused in 2005 of abuse in 1948 or 1949 of an altar boy at St. Anne's in Menominee. Another allegation in 9/2008 of abuse of an Iron River altar boy, ages 9-13, 1987-1991 or 1992. Removed from ministry and the rectory in 10/2008. Diocese deemed the allegation credible. Case sent to the Vatican; prohibited from public ministry. Hasenberg went to live with friend in the Diocese of Superior, then to the Diocese of Green Bay. He was reported in 2009 to be wearing his Roman collar in public. He died 1/24/2016, age 92.
Fr. Terrence M. Healy
Ordained for the Diocese of Marquette. In the mid-1970s opened a foster home for boys. Leave of absence in late 1977. May have gone to the House of Affirmation for treatment. Applied in 1982 for incardination into the Lansing diocese, granted in 1985. Removed in 1987. In 12/1987 pleaded no contest in Livingston County to charges that he sexually abused a 15-year-old boy; spent 4 1/2 years in prison. Laicized in 1992. Allegation in 1993 of abuse of a 19-year-old male, who had gone to him for counseling, 20 years prior. In 2012 two more men alleged abuse as boys in Lansing. Healy admitted to sex with 18 boys, the youngest age 14. The Marquette Diocese announced in 9/2019 that it had received a report in 1996 of abuse by Healy 1968-1972. Allegation in 10/2019 that Healy abused many children who lived with him in the early 1970s while awaiting foster care. Allegations from 4 more men in 2018-2020 of abuse as boys by Healy. Included on the Lansing diocese's list 9/27/2019. Died 1/1/2019. Included in the MI A.G.'s 10/2022 report.
Fr. Raymond J. Hoefgen
Fr. John G. Hughes
Named as the subject of allegations of sexual abuse in the MI Attorney General's 10/2022 report. In 1965 an 18-year-old male told Bishop Noa in a letter that Hughes repeatedly sexually abused beginning when he was in 5th grade at American Martyrs School and Church in Kingsford in the late 1950s and 1960s. The abuse was said to have included sodomy and other "perverse acts." The victim said in 2007 that he confronted Noa years later, who responded that he "could not have people saying these terrible things about a priest." The diocese deemed the allegations credible. Hughes died in 1979.
Fr. Gary Allen Jacobs
Sources:
Fr. Roy Joseph
Diocese: Diocese of Marquette MI
Fr. Norbert Paul LaCosse
Fr. Frank M. Lenz
Fr. Clement J. LePine
Fr. Mark McQuesten
Named publicly as accused in the MI Attorney General's report in 10/2022. Report to the diocese in 1/2018 from a man that McQuesten had touched him inappropriately in 1986, during a trip to FL. McQuesten was a seminarian during the time in question and the man was a teenager. McQuesten denied the allegation. The Diocesan Review Board determined that the allegation was not credible. In 10/2022 McQuestion was a retired priest in active ministry.
Fr. James L. Menapace
Fr. Robert J. Monroe
Included in the MI Attorney General's 10/2022 report. In 6/2002 a man reported to the Diocese that when he was ages 5-7, Monroe sexually abused him and other boys in the mid-1960s at St. Mary's in Sault Ste. Marie. In 2005 a woman reported that Monroe sexually abused her multiple times at age 4 in 1968-1969. Her mother allegedly caught him in the act and told Bishop Salatka in early 1969. The woman said a friend told her in 6th grade that the priest had similarly abused her. The Review Board validated the claims. In 2018 a 48-year-old woman reported that Monroe abused when she was age 10 at Nativity Parish in Sault Ste. Marie. He died 9/16/1980.
Fr. Aaron Nowicki
Arrested in a sting operation in 8/2021, attempting to meet who he thought was a 14- or 15-year-old for sex in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Nowicki had reportedly been removed from ministry in the Diocese of Marquette in 2019 for alleged inappropriate sexual conduct with a vulnerable adult. Included in the MI Attorney General's 10/2022 report. Convicted in 9/2023 on the charges related to the 2021 sting.
Fr. Vincent L. Ouellette
Per the MI Attorney General's 10/22 report, the diocese received an allegation in 7/2004 from a relative of Oulette's that the priest sexually abused him at age 13 during a trip to MN. Oullette died in 1998.
Fr. Wilfred Pelletier
Per the MI Attorney General's 10/2022 report, a man reported to the diocese in 2005 that he and a friend were sexually abused over two years, at ages 16 or 17, by Pelletier in the late 1950s and early 1960s in Alpha MI. He said the priest would take them fishing and hunting and give them alcohol and money. Police caught the boys in a cabin drinking beer with two girls. When questioned they told the police Pelletier had given them the beer, but said no when asked if the priest had done anything to them. Pelletier was soon removed from his parish. Pelletier's personnel file shows "moral concerns" and "unpriestly conduct" in 1950 and concerns in 1956 about drinking and association with minors. Went on leave in 1960 and in 1965. Sent to Jemez Springs NM in 1961, where there was a treatment center for troubled priests. There was a warrant for his arrest in Jemez Springs in 1962 for contributing to the deliquency of a minor. Assigned by 1971 to Bishop Noa Home and as pastor of a Chasselle parish. Died in 1973.
Fr. Anthony J. Polakowski
Included in the MI Attorney General's 10/2022 report. In 1/2004 a woman told the diocese that Polakowski sexually abused her for a year when she was in 6th grade. She said he would host parties in the rectory basement and supply youth with marijuana and alcohol. There was also a "hidden" room made into a "firepit" and another with a mattress, found by Chancellor Fr. Alexander Sample after he met with the woman. Polakowski had a "playboy" reputation with such "toys" as a Corvette, snowmobile and horses. A police report in 1976 alleges that Polakowski gave alcohol to minors, and mentions rumors of parties in the rectory. He died in 1978 after crashing his car into another, killing two women and critically injuring a 16-year-old boy, who was in his car. In 4/2018 a man reported that a priest sexually abused him as a teenager in the mid-1970s. Based on the man's description, the Vicar for Clergy stated the priest was likely Polakowski. In 3/2006 a woman claimed Polakowski abused her in 1976-1977 at ages 15-16, and that he also abused her brother. She told a teacher about her brother's abuse, and Polakowski was transferred.
Fr. Armour R. Roberts
Fr. David H. Rocheleau
Named publicly as accused in the MI Attorney General's 10/2022 report. In 2002 a 53-year-old man reported to the diocese that Rocheleau made sexual advances on him when he was between the ages of 10 and 13. Rocheleau died in 1984.
Fr. Nelson Daniel Rupp
Named publicly as accused in the MI Attorney General's 10/2022 report. Rupp's personnel file shows he was relieved of his duties with the Charismatic Renewal in 1982. In 1991 there were concerns of his inappropriate behavior with teenagers during sleepovers at the rectory, including nudity. Allegedly gave teens alcohol. Complaints in 1995 about his behavior with "server boys." Confronted by Bishop Garland, denied inappropriate sexual contact. In 4/1996 ordered by Bishop not to be alone with minors. Resigned from parish in 5/1996 and sent to St. Luke's Institute. Would not comply with treatment. Apparently never returned to ministry. Report in 2007 that Rupp sexually abused boys after plying them with alcohol sometime 1985-1987 at his camp in Alger or Marquette County. Rupp was a real estate manager in CA as of 2007, still there in 2014. Whereabouts in 10/2022 unknown.
Fr. Walter J. Sheedlo
Named publicly as accused in the MI A.G.'s 10/2022 report. In 1997 a man told Bishop Garland that Sheedlo made sexual advances toward him during counseling sessions the previous year. The man had known Sheedlo since age 10-11 in 1979, and described to Garland grooming behaviors by Sheedlo during regular meetings for years. Sent to treatment. Accused in 1998 of sexual advances toward a seminarian, age 18, in 1974 and again in 1978. Told by Garland to take a year's leave of absence. Removed from public ministry in 2009. In 10/2022 remained on leave.
Fr. Ephraem Sitko
Named publicly as accused in the MI Attorney General's 10/2022 report. A woman reported to the diocese in 2020 that when she was in third grade in 1963 at St. Ignatius Loyola School, Sitko would grab her at recess and make her sit in his lap beneath his long cape. She said she screamed to be let go but he held her tighter and laughed, and that he would whisper into her left ear. Sitko died in 1982. He was ordained for the O.F.M. Franciscans; it appears he did not stay in the order. (Name also spelled Ephream, Ephraim.)
Fr. B. Neil Smith
Named publicly as accused in the MI Attorney General's 10/2022 report. In 2004 a man told Bishop Garland that Smith sexually abused him multiple times at age 14 or 15 in 1951 or 1952. Smith admitted to his behavior. The Vatican determined that there would be no penal action due to Smith's age, infirmity and retirement status. He died in 2007. In 2018 the diocese received a report that Smith put his hand on a 14 or 15-year-old's crotch during a car ride in 1954-1955.
Fr. Charles J. Strelick
Named publicly as accused in the MI Attorney General's report in 10/2022. In 8/2020 a man told the Diocese that Strelick sexually abused him at age 8 in 1991 during confession. The man said that he told Strelick that two older boys had sexually abused him, and that Strelick then touched him and made him perform oral sex, and did other "weird things." Strelick was pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Ishpeming during the time in question. He died in 2017.
Fr. Guy S. Thoren
Fr. Bernard Van der Schueren
From Belgium. Died 7/25/2009. Diocese of Marquette announced 11/15/2013 that it had received a credible allegation of abuse of a minor by 'Fr. Ben' in 1989 while he filled in at St. Michael Parish in Marquette. The allegation was reported to the Jesuits and to the county prosecutor's office. Included on the Jesuits Midwest Province list 12/17/2018. Included in the MI Attorney General's 10/2022 report, which shows that the allegation was of sexual abuse of a boy, age 10 or 11, in the summer of 1987 and 1988.