Archdiocese of Omaha NE - BishopAccountability.org

43 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Robert Allgaier

Ordained: 1998
Status: Convicted

Report to police in 10/01 that Allgaier had viewed child pornography on his computer. Archbishop knew of the allegation in 2001 but reassigned him to a middle school after evaluation. Removed in 2/02 just prior to charges being filed. Pleaded guilty to attempted possession of child pornography for using computers to view internet photos of children involved in sex acts. Sentenced to two years probation. Left priesthood in 2005. Was on the state sex offender registry, from which he was removed in 2014. On diocese's list 11/30/18.

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Fr. John R. Buckson

Ordained: 1992
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

From Racine WI. Ordained for the Archdiocese of Omaha. Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list 11/30/18. Reports received in 1994 of sexual abuse prior to 1994. Resigned in 2002. Reportedly was in Bolivia in 2003. Included in the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21.

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Fr. Donald M. Cleary

Ordained: 1971
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Permanently removed from ministry in 10/18. Name included on the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Per the list updated 3/1/19, Cleary had multiple allegations against him. The NE A.G.'s report in 11/21 notes five victims, all altar boys, ages 8-16, abused in the 1970s and 1980s. All five reported their abuse to the diocese in 2018. Cleary stated that the abuse "likely" occurred. No prosecution due to the statute of limitations. Laicized in 2019.

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Fr. Richard Colbert

Order: CPPS
Ordained: 1969
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Per news reports in 2003, Colbert was accused of abuse of a boy in 1988 at Boys Town. The priest reportedly left Boys Town for MO abruptly and quietly in 1988 during an investigation of the allegation. He had been a Boys Town teacher and counselor for three years. Per his order, the case was reviewed in 2002; Colbert was allowed to remain in ministry after a determination that the incident was not sexual misconduct. A civil suit filed in 10/2005 claimed Colbert sexually abused a boy in the mid-1980s at Boys Town, and that he also abused other boys there. Placed on leave by the Jefferson MO diocese where he was working. The suit was dismissed by court in 5/2006 after the plaintiff's attorney withdrew. [Some earlier news articles had Richard as first name; others had Robert. Richard is correct, per the 1989 Official Catholic Directory].

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Fr. John H. Crafton

Order: SSC
Ordained: 1940
Status: Accused

Died: 01/12/1989
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Columbans U.S. Province on its list in 2/22. One allegation of abuse noted, occurring in the 1960s. Per the Official Catholic Directory, Crafton was assigned throughout the 1960s to the Columbans' Foreign Mission Society headquarters in Omaha, NE. He died in 1989.

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Fr. Willard J. Dressel

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 08/28/2007
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/2018. Multiple allegations of abuse, occurring while assigned to Creighton Prep in Omaha in the 1970s and 1980s. Died 8/28/2007, age 84. The Province's revised list 2/21/2020 notes incident(s) also alleged to have occurred in 1998.

Assignments:

Jesuits Midwest Province Assignment Record

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Fr. Franklin Dvorak

Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Dvorak, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Parish in Omaha since 2007, was removed 4/12 after allegations he had sexually abused a female student, ages 15-17, 1970-1972. He was assigned to Sacred Heart/St. Mary's Parish in Norfolk, NE 1970-1974. Dvorak denied the allegations. The diocesan review board deemed the allegation credible. No criminal charges due to the statute of limitations. In 4/13, the Vatican ordered a church trial in Omaha. Sentenced 11/22/13 to a life of prayer and penance. On the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Included in the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, which noted allegations by several women, one alleging abuse by Dvorak when she was 15-16 in 1987. She came forward to the diocese in 2012; the review board found insufficient evidence to support her claim.

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Fr. John M. Fiala

Order: SOLT
Ordained: 1984
Status: Convicted

Died: 07/20/2017
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Ordained for Omaha. Joined the SOLT Order 1996. Worked in NE, MO, KS, TX. Privileges removed in 10/08 after allegations of abuse in the San Antonio archdiocese. A 4/10 TX suit alleged Fiala raped a 16-year-old boy at least twice, at gunpoint, in 2007-08. In 4/10, Omaha said it knew in 2002 of his advances toward a minor in the mid-1980s. Indicted in 8/10 in TX. Arrested 9/3/10 in KS; returned to TX. Released on bail. Settlement of lawsuit with San Antonio and Omaha archdioceses, Corpus Christi diocese and Order in 01/2011. Arrested in Dallas 11/18/10 for trying to hire a hit-man to kill accuser. Convicted in Dallas on solicitation of murder 5/17/12. Sentenced to 60 years in prison. Died in 7/17. On Omaha archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes two victims. On Kansas City KS list 1/25/19. On Corpus Christi and San Antonio lists 1/31/19. The 11/21 NE A.G. report counts four known victims, one of whom died by suicide.

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BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Joseph Finch

Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list 11/30/2018. Report to the Archdiocese in 1996 of abuse of a 17-year-old male high school student in Phoenix for several years, beginning in 1971. Finch left Omaha in 1963 for a military chaplaincy. Moved in 1969 to the Diocese of Phoenix. Became chaplain in 1992 to a cloistered convent in the Diocese of Albany. Left there in early 2018. Added to Albany's list 12/3/2019. Included in the NE Attorney General's 11/2021 report.

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Fr. James M. Gaughan

Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as accused by the Omaha archdiocese on its list 11/30/18. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, a priest reported to the archdiocese that, when he was a teenager, Gaughan sexually abused him multiple times. Gaughan left Omaha in 1999 for the Diocese of Mandeville, in Jamaica. He died in 2009.

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Fr. Edward Bryan Gill

Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

Died: 01/7/2006
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes reports to the archdiocese in 2004 of abuse 1962, 1963-64. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, Gill's victims were girls, ages 12-13, and the archdiocese received reports of the abuse in 1994, the late 1990s, 2002 and 2004. The woman who reported her abuse to the chancery in 1994 said she did not receive a response. Gill retired in 1999 and moved to Albion, OK. He died 1/7/06.

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Fr. Thomas Glennon

Order: SSC
Ordained: 1979
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as accused by the Omaha archdiocese on its list 11/30/18. Noted to have been an extern priest. Reports in 2018 to the archdiocese of abuse 1980-81. Retired, left NE in 2018. Included in 2/22 on the Columbans U.S. Province list of credibly accused. One allegation noted, occurring "pre-1990," and "restricted from public ministry" since 1992. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, Glennon admitted in 1991 that he had had sexual contact with males, including with a 16-year-old boy, while living in Taiwan in the 1980s. He lived at his order's headquarters in Bellvue NE 2009-2018, his ministry restricted. In 2018 he was moved out of state to a retirement facility, due to concerns that the Columbans' headquarters was used for high school retreats, and because his restrictions were violated by his involvement in a ministry regarding pornography awareness.

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Fr. Joseph B. Hanrahan

Order: SSC
Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 05/29/1990
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Columbans U.S. Province on its list in 2/22. A single allegation is noted, of abuse occurring in 1976. Hanrahan died in 1990. Per the Official Catholic Directory, he was assigned in 1976 to St. Columban in St. Columbans, NE.

Fr. Joseph Henry

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Order: OAR
Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as accused on the Omaha archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Sexual abuse in 1961-62 reported to the archdiocese in 2012. Henry was an extern priest. Deceased. Per the NE A.G.'s 11/21 report, Henry's victim was a 9- or 10-year-old altar boy when Henry sexually abused him over several months in 1962-63. The boy's father reportedly told the parish pastor, who confronted Henry. Henry was kept in ministry at the parish.

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Fr. Patrick Henry

Ordained: 1981
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Placed on leave in 6/07 after a complaint that Henry sexually abused a boy, age 14-15, at Boys Town in 1972, prior to ordination. Henry worked at Boy's Town in the late 1960s-into the 1970s. The archdiocesan review board deemed the allegation credible. Matter forwarded to the Vatican. Henry also worked in the Omaha Diocese 1981-84, in Bolivia 1984-89, again in Omaha 1990-1992, and then in Peru. He transferred to the Diocese of Cleveland in 1994, where he was incardinated in 1997. Included on the Omaha archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes a report to Cleveland in 2008 of abuse 1970s-80s. Laicized, per the Cleveland diocese's list in 6/19. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, there are six known victims, all boys, ages 12-16.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Daniel P. Herek

Ordained: 1971
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Pleaded no contest in 1998 to charges of sexually assaulting a boy and making child pornography. His housekeeper discovered the porn in 1997. Served 2 1/2 years in jail, released in 2001. Named by eight in subsequent civil suits. A 2002 jury award of $800K to one. Other suits then settled. Convicted of exposing himself in a mall parking lot in 9/05. Sentenced to 120 days in jail. Sent to jail in 7/08. Judge added four months for probation violation for masturbating in public. On archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes multiple reports to diocese and law enforcement, of child porn and sex abuse 1970s through 1990s. Laicized in 2006. Per the NE A.G. report in 11/21, Herek made pornographic images of boys from his parish and engaged in sexual misconduct with boys throughout his priesthood. The first complaint to the archdiocese was in the 1970s. There are 43 known victims or possible victims.

Fr. Joseph Hiepvan Ho

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Ordained: 1975
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Extern priest from the Archdiocese of Sydney. Named publicly as accused by the Omaha archdiocese on its list 11/30/18. It notes reports to Omaha in 1990 of boundary violations and in 2010 of sex abuse. Ho left Omaha for Sydney in 1992. Omaha informed Sydney of the abuse in 2010. Per the list, Ho was still active in Sydney. The list updated 3/1/19, showed that Ho was no longer in active ministry as of 12/18. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, a woman reported to the archdiocese in 2010 that Ho sexually abused her, including rape, when she was age 13-14 in 1989 or 1990. The girl told her mom a few weeks later and the parish pastor. Ho was removed from the parish.

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Fr. Francis J. Keaney

Order: SSC
Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Died: 05/13/2018
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Columbans U.S. Province on its list in 2/22. Multiple allegations noted, of abuse occurring in the 1980s. Per the Official Catholic Directory, Keaney was assigned in the Philippines in the 1980s. (We are placing him in the Omaha archdiocese, where the Columban Fathers' foreign missions office was headquartered.) Keaney died in 2018 in Winchester, MA.

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Columbans U.S. Province List 02.02.22

Fr. Michael J. Kelly

Ordained: 1953
Status: Settled

Died: 12/6/2003
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes reports to archdiocese in 1998 of abuse 1956-1996. Kelly retired in 1995 and was removed in 2002. He died in 2003. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, Kelly allegedly sexually abused a boy 1956-1966, beginning when the boy was age 6. His victim received a settlement in 2003.

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Fr. Daniel J. Kenney

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1963
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Worked in WI, NE, MA, SD, Nairobi Kenya. Nicknamed "the Monkey Priest" because he carried around a monkey hand puppet. Named publicly as accused by the Omaha archdiocese on its list 11/30/2018. Allegation noted to have been received in 2012 of abuse 1985-1987. Reportedly there were eight allegations of child sexual abuse. Per the NE Attorney General's report in 11/2021, in 1985 Kenney asked a boy age 13 or 14, to show him his penis size. Another man alleged that when he was a freshman at Creighton Prep, Kenney called him into confession and told him to lock the door and show him his penis to see if it was developing adequately. Kenney also reportedly stalked the boy. Removed in 1989 from Creighton Prep after a parent filed a report with Child Protective services. Removed in 2002. Included on the Jesuits Midwest Province list 12/17/2018. It notes multiple allegations of abuse, occurring while assigned to Creighton Prep 1980-1987. Permanently removed from public ministry. Living in a Jesuit community from 2003. Twelve more men told a newspaper reporter in 2019 that Kenney abused them as Creighton Prep students, with the same modus operandi. The Province's 2/21/2020 revised list shows years of alleged abuse while at Creighton Prep as 1978-1987. Laicized 11/3/2020.

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Jesuits Midwest Province Assignment Record 12.21.18

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Fr. Jay L. Kruse

Ordained: 1991
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Kruse was charged in 10/04 with two counts of possession of child pornography. Investigation had been ongoing since at least 8/04. Pornography was found on a computer at St. Wenceslaus parish. Kruse was placed on leave in 8/04 "for personal reasons" from his assignment in O'Neill, NE. That parish did not learn the reason for his leave until late 9/04. Pleaded guilty. Sentenced to one year probation. Voluntarily left the priesthood in 5/05. On the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Noted to have been laicized in 2006. Per the NE A.G. report in 11/21, Kruse's personnel file includes a number of letters from priests and parishioners during 1995-2002 concerned about Kruse's grooming behavior with teenage boys.

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Fr. Larry Toms Kulangara

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Ordained: 1988
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as accused on the Omaha archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Worked in the archdiocese 1997-2000. Reports in 2000 of the abuse of two minors 1995-2000. Reports to law enforcement in 2004 and 2017. Toms returned to his Order in 2000. Noted to be presumed active in the Pauline's Nigeria-India Province. Matter referred to Holy See in 2017. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, Klangara sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in 1999. The girl told her mother, who reported the assault to a parish priest. Kalangara was ordered to leave the country. His personnel file contains multiple complaints of his inappropriately touching teenage girls and women. In 2010 he contacted a 13-year-old girl on Facebook, and said he had baptized her 13 years prior. Her mother informed the archdiocese.

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Fr. Robert J. Lamby

Order: SSC
Ordained: 1975
Status: Accused

Died: 06/15/2002
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Columbans U.S. Province on its list in 2/22. Multiple allegations noted, occurring in the 1970s. Per the Official Catholic Directory, Lamby was assigned in the 1970s to the Philippines, the Diocese of Buffalo NY and the Archdiocese of Boston MA. At some later point he became a U.S. Air Force chaplain. Placing him for now in the Diocese of Omaha, where the Province is headquartered. Lamby left the Columbans in 2000 and died in OH in 2002.

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Fr. Duane W. Lukes

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Ordained: 1957
Status: Sued

Died: 08/7/1998
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Lukes (incorrectly referred to as Lucas) was named in a 4/07 civil suit as having abused a boy for several years, beginning in 1978 when the boy was age 12. Luke's accuser told a priest in 1990 about being abused, but nothing was done. He told another priest in OR in 2003; the Portland archdiocese reported the abuse to the Omaha archdiocese. The archdiocese arranged for counseling but failed to tell the alleged victim of his rights until after the statute of limitations had run. Lukes died in 1998. Second suit filed in 1/08. On Omaha archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes reports 1985, 2004 and 2005 of abuse of multiple victims 1964-1990s. Its updated list 3/1/19 notes reports in 2015 and 2019 of abuse. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, there were eight known victims, all boys, ages 7-16. The parents of the 7-year-old abused in the mid-1960s, who had injuries to his genitals as a result, said they told a parish priest at that time and that Bishop Sheehan also knew. Lukes was kept in ministry.

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Fr. Aloysius J. McMahon

Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Died: 05/17/2011
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese on its list 11/30/2018. It notes a report to the Archdiocese in 1998 of abuse ("disputed") of two 1970-1975. Its list updated 3/1/2019 notes a report in 2019 of abuse. McMahon retired in 1997 and died in 2011. Per the NE Attorney General's report in 11/2021, there are at least three known victims, all male, ages 9-22, abused in the 1970s.

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Fr. Mark K. Merkel

Ordained: 1992
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list 11/30/18. It notes reports in 1999 and 2004 of abuse in 1999. Merkel was removed in 2004 and laicized in 2006. In 1/22, in a hearing before the NE state legislature, a woman stated that Merkel sexually assaulted her when she was 15. She said she reported the abuse to law enforcement in 1999 and that Merkel admitted the abuse. She was unable to press charges due to the statute of limitations. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, the abuse included "explicit phone sex; inappropriate touching; emotional abuse." His victim told a NE DOJ investigator that the archdiocese treated her like she was a "criminal"

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Deacon Emilio Morales Jordan

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Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Deacon. Named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Extern from diocese of Zacapa (Guatemala). Allegation reported in 2003 of "misconduct" 2000-02. Left Omaha in 2003. Per the NE A.G. report in 11/21, there were complaints that Jordan was "harassing" and inappropriately "touchy" with girls in a youth group, and that he had propositioned one of their mothers for sex. He also took youth group members to a bowling alley without parental permission and allowed them to drink beer. Jordan's personnel file shows "unspecified accusations of sexual misconduct" with a 16-year-old girl in 2003. Ordered to leave the U.S. and return to Guatemala in 7/03.

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Fr. Francis A. Nigli

Ordained: 1997
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

From India. Worked in the archdiocese 1997-2018. Sent to treatment in 2013 after allegations of inappropriate touching of an 18-year-old male (a minor, per diocese). Returned to ministry. Removed in 6/18 due to an allegation of sexual assault of a 21-year-old man in 5/18. Not made public until 10/18. On diocese's list 11/30/18. It notes "After professional assessment, was not prohibited from ministry." Later removed from ministry and moved to Grand Rapids MI, where he sought faculties. They were declined. Per the archdiocese's updated list in 10/21, Nigli was "permanently barred from public ministry by the Holy See in 2021." The 11/21 NE A.G.'s report shows that Nigli engaged in aggressive grooming behavior and unwanted sexual touching of teenage boys and young men, ages 16-21.

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Fr. Anthony D. Palmese

Order: OAR
Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Died: 02/2/2012
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Accused of sexual abuse of a boy while at Holy Ghost Parish 1984-1985, beginning when the boy was age 12. The abuse ended when Palmese was transferred to FL. Archdiocese said it received the allegation 12/30/13 and informed law enforcement. Assignments included parishes in New York NY, Topeka KS, Omaha NE and Orlando FL. Retired in 2009. Palmese died 2/2/12. On Omaha archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Added to Kansas City KS archdiocese's list as of 3/6/20. Included in the NE A.G.'s 11/21 report.

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Fr. Roland A. Peschel

Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes reports received in 1993 and 2010 of abuse in 1967. In 1993 Peschel denied the allegation; in 2010 he admitted to it. He retired and was removed in 2010. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, Peschel sexually abused a girl over several years, beginning when she was age 17 in the late 1960s. She informed a Texas diocese in 1992, and the Omaha archdiocese in 1993 and in 2010. He appears to have been kept in ministry until the report and his admission of the abuse in 2010. The Archdiocesan Review Board deemed the allegations credible.

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Fr. Anthony Petrusic

Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Died: 02/2/2010
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Retired in 1994 from the Omaha archdiocese. Working as a part-time priest in FL when he was placed on leave in 2002 after an allegation that he had sexually abused a teenage boy in Omaha in the 1970s. His accuser said Petrusic would take nude photos of him when he was showering or changing at a lake cabin, and grope him. A second man also made allegations of abuse during the same time period. Placed on permanent leave in 8/02. Died in 2/10. On Omaha archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, one of the two victims reported his abuse to the archdiocese in 1987, and from 1993-1995 the archdiocese received three anonymous letters, the senders alleging sexual abuse as minors by Petrusic. After the 1987 allegation, Petrusic was sent to MA for treatment, then reassigned to an Omaha parish.

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Deacon Robert Pickett

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Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Report to the archdiocese in 2016 of abuse in 1978, prior to his formation as a deacon. Removed in 2016. Per the NE A.G. report in 11/21, in 2016 the archdiocese learned that in 1978 Pickett was accused of flashing his genitals at a 16-year-old girl, and was convicted of "debauching a minor."

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Deacon Thomas Purnell

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Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Deacon. Named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes reports in 1991 of abuse of two minors prior to 1991. Per the NE A.G.'s 11/21 report, the abuse was reported by relatives of Purnell, who alleged he sexually abused two girls, ages 2 and 4.

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Fr. Theodore L. Richlin

Ordained: 1971
Status: Accused

Died: 12/23/2019
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

In 10/20 the archdiocese announced that it investigated recent claims against Richling of the sexual abuse of minors, and deemed the allegations substantiated. Richling retired in 1997 and continued involvement in ministry until at least 2006. Died 12/23/19. Per the NE Attorney General in 11/21, Chancellor Rev. Michael Gutsgell knew in 1980 of allegations against Richling, and did nothing. Included in 10/21 on the Omaha archdiocese's list. Abuse noted to have occurred 1978-81 and 1990-92. Multiple allegations of abuse of boys.

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Fr. John C. Rizzo

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as accused on the Archdiocese's list 11/30/2018. Reports to the Archdiocese in 1993, 2002 and 2010 of abuse 1962 and 1972. Two victims. The 1972 allegation was disputed. Rizzo was removed in 2002 and retired in 2003. Per the NE Attorney General's Report in 11/2021, Rizzo admitted in 2002 to sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl in 1962. The girl was a family member. The alleged 1972 abuse was of a 13-year-old girl, also a relative. In 2018 Rizzo was living at a retirement community for priests.

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Fr. Alfred J. Salanitro

Ordained: 1989
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Removed from St. Bernadette's in Bellevue 12/11 after allegation that Salanitro abused a boy 1991-94, beginning when the boy was 11 and Salanitro was assigned to Holy Cross in Omaha. He denied the allegations and took voluntary leave. Matter was reported to D.A.'s office and police. Review Board found allegation credible and referred to Vatican. Canonical trial ordered in Omaha. Laicization announced 11/22/13. On archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes reports in 2011 and 2012 of abuse 1990-94. Three victims. Per the NE A.G.'s 11/21 report Salanitro's victims were ages 11-16.

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Fr. George A. Saxon

Ordained: 1943
Status: Accused

Died: 05/9/1971
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly by the archdiocese on its list in 10/21. It notes reports in 2018 and 2020 of sexual abuse, with multiple victims, 1949-1958. Saxon died in 1971. Per the NE A.G.'s report, there are four known victims, all boys, ages 13-17.

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Fr. Thomas Sellentin

Ordained: 1965
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Removed in 4/02 after an allegation. Admitted to sexually abusing boys as far back as 30 years. People from two parishes said church authorities knew about the abuse for many years. Sellentin was transferred in the 1960s after allegations. Matter discussed at a meeting with a church pastor in the 1960s. Transferred again in about 1980 after complaints. Allegations of abuse in at least four parishes between 1968 and 1974. Civil suit(s) filed in 3/03. Name included on the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes reports 1968-present of abuse 1968-89, and 20-35 victims. Its 3/1/19 updated list notes 20-38 victims. Included in the NE A.G.'s 11/21 report. Laicized in 2019.

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Fr. John C. Starostka

Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Died: 12/24/2012
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Starostka retired in 6/02 citing health problems. "Administrative dismissal" announced 8/16/02. "Information had been gathered that included an admission of past sexual abuse or misconduct or allegations that were established as credible." Died 12/24/12. On the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. It notes reports received 2001 and 2002 of abuse 1972-1974 and 2000. Per the NE Attorney General, Chancellor Rev. Michael Gutgsell was told by a man in 2000 that his two altar boy sons had recently been inappropriately touched repeatedly by Starstoka, and in 2002 a man told Gutgsell that he was repeatedly sodomized as an 11-year-old altar boy by Straostka. Neither case was reported to police until 2004. The A.G.'s 11/21 report shows that the man victimized in the early 1970s claimed he reported his abuse to the archdiocese in the early 1980s and again in the early 1990s, and was told both times they would get back to him; they didn't. The man said he spoke with a parish priest in 1996 - again no action. After he spoke with Gutsgsell in 2002, the man was told that Starostka admitted to the abuse. Starostka's file also shows indications of complaints of grooming behavior toward other children.

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Moser Obituary 12.24.12

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Fr. Robert O. Steinhausen

Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 02/7/1993
Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 11/30/19. It notes allegations received in 2008 of abuse 1982-1986. Steinhausen died in 1993. Its 3/1/19 list notes allegations received also in 2019. Per the NE A.G.'s 11/21 report, the two known victims were both boys, one 14-15 when abused, the other in his early to mid-teens.

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Fr. Andrew Syring

Ordained: 2011
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Resigned in 10/2018 after an Archdiocesan review of clergy. Accused in 2014 of "significant boundary violations" with young adults and minors. He denied the allegations. Sent for evaluation and treatment, returned to ministry. Included on the Archdiocese's list 11/30/2018. Reportedly resigned from ministry in 11/2018. Syring filed a defamation suit against the Archdiocese in 8/2020. It was dismissed by a lower court and lost on appeal to the NE Supreme Court. Included in the NE Attorney General's 11/2021 report, which notes, "This matter is still under investigation."

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Deacon Duane Thome

Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Deacon. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 11/30/18. It notes report received in 2018 of "acts" 2016-2018. Removed in 6/18. Per the NE A.G.'s report in 11/21, Thome allegedly engaged in grooming behavior toward and inappropriate touching of a girl, beginning when she was 17 in 2017. Thome was a Catholic high school teacher and the girl was a student.

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Fr. Jeffrey L. Zyla

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Ordained: 1992
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Omaha NE

Named publicly as accused on the archdiocese's list 11/30/18. Report received in 2003 of abuse 1978-1981, prior to seminary. Removed in 2003. The list updated 6/1/19 notes another report in 2018. Per the NE A.G. report in 11/21, Zyla admitted to the abuse, of a boy, beginning when the boy was age 13. Zyla was a parish volunteer in charge of altar boys when the abuse occurred. He also admitted that, while a priest, he would take pictures of shirtless boys for his own gratification, getting the boys to pose by telling them they were auditioning for a Passion play. The A.G. report notes that Zyla resigned from the priesthood the month after the archdiocese received the first report of abuse.

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