Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

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Terry McKiernan February 26, 2021

56 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. G.R. Keith Albrecht

Ordained: 1977
Status: Sued

Died: 11/10/2019
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Expelled by the Franciscans in the early 1970s prior to taking solemn vows; ordained for the priesthood in Cincinnati in 1977. Had assignments in Beavercreek, Dayton, Xenia and Coldwater. Placed on leave in 1993 after accusation of sexual abuse of a teen boy in the late 1970s-early 1980s. Another accuser then surfaced alleging abuse as an 8th grade boy by Albrecht on a trip to New York. Albrecht would target troubled adolescent males, two of whom were known to have lived with him in his rectory. Admitted to sexual behavior with four youths, saying he thought he was "acting out of love." Laicized as of 10/2005. A 2004 suit alleging abuse 1977-1981 was dismissed after the Ohio Supreme Court ruled victims must file before the age of 20. Died in 11/2019.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Br. Al Behm

Order: GHM
Status: Accused

Died: 09/23/2024
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Named publicly as credibly accused by his order on its list 10/11/2019. Worked in CT, NC, OH, KY, KY, TN, LA, CA and GA. Joined the order in 1960, left in 1993. Included on the Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/2019. It notes that the Glenmarys said the alleged abuse occurred in the 1970s in KY. (KY location not specified; placing him in the Cincinnati archdiocese, where the Glenmary order is based.) In 12/2020 Behm appears to be working as a volunteer at a school in Myanmar. Per the school's website he had been there for about a year, and had worked previously with underserved children in Thailand. Accused in a 7/2021 lawsuit of sexually abusing a boy in North Carolina. Per the lawsuit, Behm met the boy when he was age 9 in 1972, soon began grooming him and, when the boy was a teenager, began to perform sex acts on him. Behm also allegedly introduced the boy to alcohol, marijuana and amyl nitrates. The sexual abuse lasted through most of the boy's college years. The boy was from an unstable home and Behm insinuated himself as a father figure. The suit was denied, then appealed. Behm's name is included on the Diocese of Nashville's 11/2021 list of accused. Reportedly died in Cambodia 9/23/2024.

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Fr. John B. Berning

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1934
Status: Sued

Died: 11/19/2004
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Suits filed in 2003 by at least 7 plaintiffs. Berning admitted in 2002 letters to abuse of one youth. May also have admitted abuse of others. One accuser said he told an archdiocesan employee in 1963 but nothing was done. Berning retired in 1970 and moved to Florida. Privileges removed in 2003. Died at age 97 in 2004.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Br. Joseph Malloy

Order: OFM
Status: Accused

Died: 01/6/1992
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Named publicly as accused by the St. John the Baptist Franciscans on its list 6/18/2022 of those with substantiated allegations. No information as to when and where the abuse occurred, so we are placing him in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, where the Province is based. He died in 1992. Per his obituary, Malloy joined the Franciscans in 1938 and made his solemn vows in 1948. He worked in Southfield MI, Louisville KY, and in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH.

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Fr. Thomas J. Brunner

Ordained: 1974
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Suspended in 2003. Sued. Case dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Accused of abuse of two girls at Mount Notre Dame High School in the 1980s. Sent for counseling and reassigned to a parish. Another woman complained in 1989 that he had 'romanced' her in the 1970s when she was in high school. Restrictions place on him in 1993. Not publicly identified until 2003 when he was placed on leave. Accusations deemed credible. Laicized in 3/2006.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. George Cooley

Ordained: 1976
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Archdiocese knew of complaints as early as 1971 when Cooley was in seminary, and again in 1978. Numerous male victims. Pleaded guilty in 1991 to abuse of four boys; spent three months in jail. Sent to jail for 15 months in 1994 for stalking one of his victims. Arrested in 1996 for soliciting sex from a police decoy posing as a male prostitute. Given house arrest and three years probation. At least nine civil suits. Permanently removed in 1990. Laicized in 1998 after a church trial. Still had teacher's license as of 10/2006. License revoked in 12/2006. In 2019 was living near Sharonville, OH and working as a bartender for parties and receptions.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Ronald C. Cooper

Ordained: 1983
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Placed on leave in 1/2004 after a man came forward to allege that Cooper had touched him inappropriately several times in Bridgetown in 1983-1984 during Cooper's first assignment after ordination. Cooper admits contact with the youth but claims no sexual intent was involved. Referred to Review Board for further action. Laicization announced in 10/2014.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Anthony E. Cutcher

Ordained: 1999
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

"Tony." Assigned to St Peter's in Huber Heights when placed on leave in 1/2021 due to an allegation. The Archdiocese did not provide details as to the nature of the allegation or age of the alleged victim. In 4/2021 news media reported that Cutcher had sent inappropriate texts to a minor and local authorities "found no evidence of illegal activity." In 6/2024 Cutcher agreed to a television interview with an investigative reporter. He had been living alone in Piqua OH, working in retail and as a bookkeeper. He had asked the Archdiocese in 2/2024 if he could return to active ministry; he was denied. His removal in 2021 was due to his having sent hundreds of text messages to a 14-year-old boy, who was a student at St. Peter's. The texts included telling the boy he was incredibly handsome, asking about his love life, saying he missed him, that he had had a fun dream about him and saying a restaurant called BJ's made him think of "something else... the second word is 'job'....think below the belt." He also had the boy's teacher send him to his office every day. The day after Cutcher's removal the school principal died by suicide. Cutcher was sent to St. Luke Institute in MD for treatment. He had been sent there also in 2018 due to possession of child pornography found in 2012 by another priest, Fr. Barry Stechschulte, at Holy Rosary in St. Mary's. Stechschulte had had a deacon destroy the images, so police were without evidence and the case was closed. Parishioners were not informed. Stechschulte stepped down from his parish in 8/2014 due to pressure from parishioners after news about his destroying the images and not reporting Cutcher to the police until 2018. He was reassigned in 10/2024 as parochial vicar of seven rural parishes north of Dayton, OH near the IN border.

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Fr. Stanley D. Doerger

Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 09/10/2005
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Accused in 2003 of abuse of a girl in the 1970s at St. Rita School for the Deaf. A group of former students alleged he physically, sexually and verbally abused up to 275 female students. One woman said that Doerger also abused her deceased brother from the late 1960s to 1980. Placed on leave in 3/2005. Investigation was discontinued after Doerger died in 9/2005.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Geoffrey Drew

Ordained: 2004
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

St. Ignatius in Green Township pastor since mid-2018 when placed on leave 7/23/2019. Accused of sending inappropriate text messages to at least one boy at the parish school. Had been complaints to church officials about his behavior toward boys at his previous parish in 2013 and 2015. Auxiliary Bishop Binzer knew of the complaints but did not inform Archbishop Schnurr. One parishioner said she wrote Schnurr and Binzer in 8/2018 about "red flags." Drew was was kept in ministry 'under monitoring;' St. Ignatius parish and school leaders were not told of the prior complaints or monitoring. In 8/2019 Binzer was a member of the USCCB committee on child protection. As of 7/2019, Drew was to be sent to treatment. Indicted in 8/2019 on 9 counts of rape of a boy, age 9-11, occurring 1988-1991 while a music teacher at St. Jude's in Green Township. Pleaded not guilty. In jail on $5M bond. Pope Francis accepted Binzer's resignation in Spring 2020. There are reportedly other alleged victims, including a second former St. Jude student who claimed abuse by Drew between 1985 and 1987. In 2005 40 boys at St. Rita's Parish School in Dayton OH complained in a letter to school officials of Drew's touching them (shoulders, faces, whispering in their ears) and asked them to make him stop. No action; the boys were made to apologize to Drew. There were also complaints throughout the 1980s and in the 1990s. Drew pleaded guilty on 12/2/2021, just before trial. Sentenced in a plea bargain to 7 years in prison and required to register for life as a sex offender. The archdiocese stated that it would seek Drew's laicization.

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Br. Edward J. Dury

Order: SM
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Marianist brother, Province of Cincinnati. Professed vows in 1920. Worked in OH, NY, PA, HI. Died in 1974. Name included on the Marianists 6/24/2020 list of those "found to have sexually abused a minor."

Sources:

Marianists US Province list 06.24.20

Br. Bill Early

Donate Photo

Order: GHM
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Glenmary order on its list 10/11/2019. Joined the order 1958, left in 1993. Worked in GA, IL, OH, KY, TN, CA, DC. No indication where or when alleged abuse occurred. (Placing him in the Cincinnati archdiocese, where the Glenmary order is based.) Included on the Atlanta archdiocese's list in 11/2020, where he was at the Glenmary Research Institute in 1991. Noted to be deceased. On the Nashville diocese's list in 11/2021. Included in the 3/24/2023 GA PAC Report.

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Fr. Robert J. Erpenbeck

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1944
Status: Accused

Died: 12/6/1986
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/2018. Multiple allegations noted, occurring while assigned to the Jesuit Novitiate in Milford, OH in 1961 and while at the Milford Retreat Center in 1964. Erpenbeck died 12/6/1986. Included on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's list in 2/2014. On the Chicago archdiocese's list in 10/2022. 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. Thomas F. Feldhaus

Ordained: 1976
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Removed in 2003 after an accusation of abuse of a youth in 1979. A civil suit filed in 3/2004 by a different man alleged he was abused as a boy by Feldhaus 1986-1991, at Our Lady of Victory. On administrative leave until laicization in 10/2014.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. John Ferone

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1983
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Director of Adult Faith and Ignatian Programming at St. Xavier High School when removed 2/23/2018 due to an allegation that he solicited sex from a student via text message. School officials were made aware of the incident 2/15/2018. Police were notified. The School released a statement 4/19/2018.

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Fr. John P. Finke

Order: SM
Ordained: 1937
Status: Accused

Died: 11/29/1983
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Priest of the Marianist Province of Cincinnati. Teacher, military chaplain, parish priest. Worked in Cleveland, Dayton, and Cincinnati, OH and Houma-Thibodaux, LA. Died in 1983. Named publicly as accused of child sexual abuse by the US Province Marianists on its list 6/24/2020. (The Catholic Directory and Finke's obituary show his middle initial as P.; the Marianist's list shows it as J.) Included on the Cincinnati archdiocese's list in 2/2022.

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Fr. Ellis N. Harsham

Ordained: 1968
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Per news reports in 1993, Harsham had oral sex with two high school students in the 1970s. Accused of abuse of several boys. Said to have plied boys with alcohol, marijuana and pornography. Civil suit named Harsham and Cardinal Joseph Bernardin as abusers. Case withdrawn but plaintiff settled claims against Harsham in 1994. Placed on administrative leave in 1994, resigned from active ministry a few months later. Maintained administrative leave status until he was laicized in 2006.

Fr. Norman L. Heil

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1963
Status: Sued

Died: 07/31/1988
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

In a lawsuit filed in 2004 a woman claimed sexual abuse by Heil in 1965 when she was age 16, which resulted in her becoming pregnant. She alleged in the lawsuit that Heil and a nun pressured her to give up the baby. Heil transferred to a Bismarck ND parish in around 1966, and left the priesthood around 1967. At some point he moved to CA. He died 7/31/1988, at age 51. The lawsuit was dismissed due to the statute of limitations by the OH Supreme Court in 1/2008.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Kenneth Bernard Hendricks

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1991
Status: Charged

Died: 01/26/2022
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

"Brother Pius." Took vows in 1962 as a Franciscan brother in Cincinnati. Assistant Director of the Over-the Rhine Youth Club in 1966. Transferred to the Philippines in 1984. Left the Franciscans in 1986. Ordained for the priesthood, worked in the Diocese of Naval, Philippines for 37 years. Would return to Cincinnati in the summers. Arrested in Naval, Biliran Province, Philippines in 12/2018. Accused of abuse of 10 boys there, as young as age 7; may be at least 50 victims. By 11/2019 around 20 had come forward. Some lived with him and were allegedly abused during baths with Hendricks. The Cincinnati Archdiocese denies authority over Hendricks, but says it did raise money for his Philippines mission. Died 1/26/2022, while on trial for the sexual abuse of two boys, who were brothers. Included on the St. John the Baptist Province Franciscans List in 6/2022.

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Fr. Thomas R. Hopp

Ordained: 1966
Status: Sued

Died: 12/21/2014
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Suspended in 2002 due to accusation of abuse of a boy in 1980. Had been warned in 1997 by the Archdiocese after an anonymous complaint that he showed "odd" behavior toward a boy; was kept in ministry. Permanently removed from ministry by the Vatican in 10/2005 but not laicized. Civil suit filed in 2004. Suit dismissed by OH Supreme Court on statute of limitations 6/2006. Another suit alleging abuse of a boy, age 13-14, in the 1980s was withdrawn after OH Supreme Court ruling. Died 12/21/2014.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Bernard L. Horst

Donate Photo

Order: SM
Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 02/15/2001
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

"Bud." Joined the Marianists, Province of Cincinnati, in 1931. Made perpetual vows in 1938. Ordained in 1945. Worked in OH, NY, PA, MI. Assigned to St. John Bosco in Mattawan MI 1984-1994. Retired 2/1994. Included on the Order's list of accused 6/24/2020. On the Cincinnati archdiocese's list in 2/2022. Included in the MI Attorney General's Kalamazoo report. Multiple reports to the Diocese and Order of inappropriate sexual behavior toward young girls, ages 9-13. by Horst. Earliest known incidents were in 1965, of two young sisters. Police report in 1986 of touching two MI girls, age nine, between their legs in 4/1986. Charges dropped because polygraph test was "inconclusive;" police chief told Kalamazoo's Bishop Donovan in late 1986 he would go to the prosecutor if Horst wasn't transferred by 1/1/1987. In 6/1992 the Marianists told Bishop Donovan that a woman alleged abuse by Horst at age 13. Horst was to be sent for alcohol abuse treatment. Agreement in 1/2024 that Horst would be sent to the Marianists' Clinton Ave Community, monitored, not involved with youth. In 2/1994 another woman reported "improper gestures toward her" as a child by Horst. Died 2/15/2001.

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Fr. Vaclovas Katarskis

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Ordained: 1942
Status: Accused

Died: 12/20/1993
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

From Lithuania where he was ordained in 1942. Emigrated to the U.S. in 1948. A woman filed a police report in 6/2010 accusing Katarskis of abusing her on several occasions 1960-1961, when she was ages 10-11 and he was assigned to St. Albert the Great in Kettering. She had reported the abuse to the Archdiocese in 2002. Katarskis died in 1993.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. David J. Kelley

Ordained: 1974
Status: Sued

Died: 06/6/2009
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

At least 38 men have filed suit alleging forced oral sex, rape, and other abuse by Kelley when they were minors. At least four complaints in 1983 prompted transfer to a new parish. After complaints in 1986, Archbishop Pilarczyk sent Kelley to the Paracletes for treatment, then assigned him to a hospital chaplaincy with parish residence and ministry. Allegations 1993-1994. Removed in 2002. Allowed to be a counselor until suits in 2003 were reported. Suit withdrawn after 5/31/2006 ruling by Ohio Supreme Court. Kelley died in 6/2009.

Fr. James G. Kiffmeyer

Ordained: 1985
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

In 2002 a man accused Kiffmeyer of abusing him when he was senior in high school and later. County prosecutors said the statute of limitations had expired. The church said the man was over 18 at the time in question. After this allegation was made, it was revealed that Kiffmeyer had been accused in 1997 of a similar offense, again by a male who was at least 18. Archdiocese paid to settle the claim. Vatican ordered Kiffmeyer returned to ministry as of 12/2006. Appointed as pastoral administrator of Holy Family Parish 4/30/2008. Remained in active ministry until 7/2012 when he requested personal leave. He told Archbishop Schnurr that he did not intend to return to ministry.

Br. Walter A. Klick

Donate Photo

Order: SM
Status: Accused

Died: 05/18/1979
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Marianist brother of the Cincinnati Province. Professed vows in 1931. Assigned to high schools in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Dayton OH, Puerto Rico, Covington KY, Washington DC, Pittsburgh PA, San Francisco CA, Brooklyn NY, Baltimore MD. Also assigned to the University of Dayton. Died in 1979. Included on the Marianists 6/24/2020 list of accused. Added to the Baltimore archdiocese's list 11/3/20. Mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Thomas A. Kuhn

Ordained: 1967
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Assigned to Elder High School for over twenty years, as teacher, vice-principal, then principal. Left in 1988. Next assigned to a Dayton, OH parish and Alter High School for twelve years. Reports in 1994 and 1997 to the Archdiocese of inappropriate touch of boys. Kept in ministry. Placed on leave in 2002 after deputies confiscated several parish computers to look for inappropriate material. Indicted on eleven courts of public indecency and providing alcohol to minors 11/2001-1/2002. Claims involved four boys and one girl. Convicted in 2004. Sentenced to five years probation. Violated probation in 1/2005; spent thirty days in jail. Laicization announced in 10/2014. Living in 2019 in an Oak Hills home with a former archdiocesan priest personnel director.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Raymond E. Larger

Ordained: 1977
Status: Acquitted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

In 2003, Larger pleaded no contest to soliciting sex from a male undercover police officer. Also in 2003, a man filed a claim with the archdiocese's victim compensation fund, alleging Larger abused him as an altar boy at age 11, 1995-1997. Larger's accuser was denied compensation. Criminal charges in this case were filed in 2005, then dismissed by the judge during trial in 11/2005. The man next filed a civil suit, which failed. Larger was on administrative leave 2005-2008. He was reinstated by the Vatican in 2/2008 after a ruling of no merit to the accusations of abuse. Given position at Chancery while in residence at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Joachim Lux

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Died: 12/11/2019
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Priest of the Order of St. Francis, Province of St. John the Baptist. Died 12/11/2019. Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Wichita diocese on its list 10/15/2020; worked in the diocese 1974-1985. Included on the New Orleans archdiocese's on list in 12/2020 (with an incorrect ordination year). It notes that allegations of abuse, which did not occur in the archdiocese, were reported to the archdiocese in 2020. Included in 2/2022 on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's list of those with substantiated allegations against them. A news article in 4/1991 shows that Lux abruptly left his parish assignment in the Diocese of Peoria "for personal reasons" and for "a program of renewal." Added to Peoria's list in 6/2022. On the Franciscans' list in 6/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Diocese of Wichita Assignment Record

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Fr. Francis A. Masserella

Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

Died: 05/3/2014
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Ordained for the Glenmary Home Missioners, left in 1945. Became a Trappist monk in KY for six years. Joined the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Parish priest until 1956, hospital chaplain, high school faculty member. From 1956 on was a retirement community chaplain. Removed in 2003. Accused of abuse of girls about 50 years prior. The Archdiocese admitted it knew in the 1950s of his history. Permanently removed from ministry by the Vatican in 10/2005; not laicized. Still under care of the Archdiocese as of 4/2007, with ill health. Died 05/03/2014, age 98. On the Glenmary Home Missioners list 10/11/2019.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Frederick F. Mathues

Order: SM
Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 08/18/1972
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Professed vows for the Marianist Order, Province of Cincinnati, in 1943. Ordained in 1952. Worked as an educator in OH and PA. Died in 1972, age 51. Named publicly as accused on the Marianists' list 6/24/2020. Included on the Cincinnati Archdiocese's list in 2/2022 of those with substantiated allegations against them.

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Br. Michael Montgomery

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Order: OFM
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Two incidents of "improper contact" with male students were known to Franciscan authorities in the 1980s, but Montgomery was allowed to continue working as an athletic trainer at Roger Bacon High School. He said the touches were accidental. Removed from active ministry in 2002. Another man made similar allegations in 2003 or early 2004 of abuse when he was 15. Included on the Cincinnati archdiocese's list in 2/2022 of those with substantiated allegations against them. Noted to have left the Order and to be deceased. Included in 6/2022 on the St. John the Baptist Province Franciscans list, which notes that Montgomery was ordained a deacon 6/25/1983. Laicized at some point. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Donald O. Nastold

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 04/12/2007
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/2018. An allegation was reported after his death, of abuse occurring while assigned to St. Francis Xavier in Cincinnati 1999-2000. Nastold died 4/12/2007. Included on the Cincinnati Archdiocese's list in 1/2020. 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. Edward J. O’Brien

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 02/16/1983
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/2018. Joined the Order in 1932. Multiple allegations of abuse occurring while assigned to Xavier University in 1958 and 1971-1982. O'Brien died 2/16/1983. Included in 2/2022 on the Cincinnati Archdiocese's list.

Assignments:

Jesuits Midwest Province Assignment Record 12.21.18

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Br. Charles O’Neill

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Order: OFM
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Named publicly as accused by the Franciscans' St. John the Baptist Province on its list in 6/2022. Noted to have left the Order. Deceased. No information as to when or where the abuse occurred. (We are placing him in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, where the Province is based.)

Sources:

St. John the Baptist Province Franciscans List 06.18.22

Fr. Michael Paraniuk

Ordained: 1981
Status: Reinstated

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

A man told Archdiocesan officials in 1995 that Paraniuk abused him in 1983. The Archdiocese investigated and deemed the allegations unsubstantiated. The man complained again in 2004. Paraniuk was placed on leave in 3/2005 after was payment made to his accuser from the Archdiocese's victims' compensation fund. He was reinstated in 10/2005 after the Archdiocese investigated and again deemed the allegation unsubstantiated. Paraniuk denied all allegations and said he had himself been fondled by two Franciscan priests when he was in his 20s in the 1970s.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Carter Partee

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Died: 01/10/2010
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Named publicly as accused, with substantiated allegations, on the Franciscans' St. John the Baptist Province's list 10/9/2020. It notes that Partee had left the order and was laicized. It does not reveal where or when the abuse took place. (Placing Partee in the Cincinnati archdiocese, where the province is based.) Died in 2010. Added to the New Orleans archdiocese's list in 2020. On the Gallup diocese's list in 11/2021. Included on Cincinnati's list in 2/2022. On Peoria's list in 6/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Daniel Pater

Ordained: 1979
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

In 1992 a woman told the Archdiocese Pater sexually abused her beginning when she was age 14 in the early 1980s at St. Charles Borromeo in Kettering. Pater left for Rome to study in 1982 and became a Vatican diplomat in Africa, Australia, Vatican City and India. He admitted the abuse, which continued until late 1991 or early 1992 on his trips back to the U.S. His victim and a second woman accusing Pater of abuse as a teen in the early 1980s sued in 2004. The suit was withdrawn after a 6/2006 ruling by Ohio Supreme Court. On 2/21/2014 it was announced that the Vatican sentenced Pater to life of prayer and penance as of 1/21/2014. Soon hired as a bus driver for the county and by an Episcopal church in Lincoln Heights as music director. Fired from that church in 10/2019 after inquiries by a news outlet.

Fr. Edward L. Pigott

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1968
Status: Accused

Died: 12/27/2020
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Allegations were made public in 2/2020 of psychological and sexual abuse by Pigott while assigned to St. Xavier High School between 1992 and 1994. Per the school, an independent investigation showed the allegations to be "established." Pigott was part of the St. X community 1969-2018. The allegations surfaced after the school released in 2018 a list of Jesuits with established allegations. Added to the Jesuits Midwest Province list 2/21/2020. It notes multiple allegations of abuse, occurring 1992-1995 while at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. The Order's list updated 1/30/2023 shows abuse alleged to have occurred 1973-1977, 1982-1983, 1986-1990, 1992-1997. Included on the Cincinnati archdiocese's list in 2/2022. Pigott died 12/27/2020.

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Fr. David F. Reilly

Ordained: 1975
Status: Indicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Placed on administrative leave in 8/2006 after a man alleged that Reilly had improper contact with him in the 1970s when he was age 13 or 14. Reilly admitted contact but says it was not what it was alleged to be. On 02/21/2014 the archdiocese announced that a three-priest Tribunal had cleared Reilly of the charges (confirmed by the Vatican) and restored him to active ministry. Status changed to retired.

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Fr. Thomas Richstatter

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Member of the Franciscan Friars, Province of St. John the Baptist. Retired. Accused in 9/2019 of sexual abuse occurring over 30 years prior in the Cincinnati area. Included on the Franciscans' list of those with substantiated allegations against them. Noted to have been removed from ministry. Included on the Cincinnati archdiocese's list in 2/2022.

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Br. Francis A. Russell

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Order: SM
Status: Accused

Died: 06/19/1991
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Professed vows in 1939. Worked in OH, Puerto Rico, KY, Washington DC, NY, PA. In 11/2019 an anonymous former Purcell High School teacher told a news outlet that Bro. Frank Russell was known to sexually abuse students. He said that in 1978 a student told him and another teacher that Russell raped him; the former teacher said he immediately reported the abuse to the school. As vice-principal, Russell was in charge of detention and would allegedly take students who were in trouble to a motel and sexually abuse them. The Marianists denied receiving the 1978 report and said they did not receive another until 1994, after Russell's death. Russell left Purcell in 1978, was assigned to the Diocese of Covington's Office of Religious Ed then to Holy Cross High School in Latonia, KY. Retired in 1983. Died in 1991. On the Marianists' list of accused 6/24/2020. On the Covington diocese's list 7/31/2020.

Assignments:

Diocese of Covington List 07.31.20

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Br. Lawrence W. Sandman

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Order: SM
Status: Accused

Died: 01/5/2009
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Named publicly as accused by the Marianist Order on its list 6/24/2020. Professed vows as a brother in 1944, Province of Cincinnati. Worked in CA, OH and HI. Withdrew from the Order in 1959. Died in 2009.

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Fr. Albert E. Schetter

Ordained: 1955
Status: Sued

Died: 05/5/2002
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Retired in 1990. Died 5/5/2002. Lawsuit filed in 2003 by two men accusing Schetter of sexual abuse when they were boys in the early 1960s. They also claimed the archdiocese knew and did nothing. One plaintiff had gone to the archdiocese in 1992 with his allegations. Archdiocesan officials offered the man counseling, which he declined. They also reviewed Schetter's personnel file and found that there had been complaints in the early 1960s of his "odd behavior" with children; officials' response in the early 1960s was to send the priest on a spiritual retreat. In 1992 Schetter was told to stay away from children.

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Fr. Kenneth J. Schoettmer

Ordained: 1968
Status: Convicted

Died: 07/23/2014
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Placed on leave after he admitted in 2001 that he had sexual encounters with boys between 1984 and 1999. Also downloaded porn and trolled the internet for boys. Pleaded guilty in 2003 to one count of gross sexual imposition in exchange for the dismissal of additional charges of the rape and sexual battery of a 17-year-old boy. Sentenced to 5 years' probation. Civil suit filed in 2004. Still on payroll of archdiocese as of 4/2007. Laicization announced 5/11/2007. On Sex Offender Register 1/21/2012. Died in 7/2014.

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BA.org Assignment Record

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Br. John Schreck

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Order: OFM
Status: Accused

Died: 05/5/2005
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Named publicly in 1/2021 by the Franciscans' Province of St. John the Baptist as the subject of substantiated allegations of child sexual abuse. Professed final vows in 1966. Schreck died in 2005 in Cincinnati, at age 60.

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Fr. Robert W. Schutte

Ordained: 1943
Status: Accused

Died: 01/17/2004
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

After ordination Schutte spent a year in a St. Augustine FL parish, after which he returned to his native OH. He taught high school and worked in parishes as an assistant and then pastor in the Cincinnati archdiocese. He also was an assistant Air Force chaplain in FL.; the time-period for that is unclear. He retired in 1984. In late 2003 Schutte's privileges were removed after allegations arose that he sexually abused a minor several decades before. He died a little over a month later, in 1/2004, at age 89.

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BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Donald E. Shelander

Ordained: 1970
Status: Reinstated

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Retired in 2002. In late 2005 a man told the archdiocese that Shelander sexually abused him in the late 1970s-early 1980s, when he was ages 14-18 and Shelander was pastor of St. Mary's in Urbana. The Archdiocese said it found a "semblance of truth" in the allegations and placed Shelander on leave in 3/2006. He was returned to active status in 2/2009 after the church tribunal found the allegations could not be proven.

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Fr. Charles F. Stephney

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Order: CPPS
Ordained: 1980
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Ordination date unclear - may have been 1980, possibly earlier. In 1981 Stephney was assigned to a Cincinnati parish and was chaplain at a Cincinnati jail. Several boys accused him of making sexual advances and jail officials asked him to leave. His Order sent him for treatment in Brooklyn NY and he was assigned to a parish there. In defiance of his Order, he left for Baltimore and went to work in DC for accused priest Rev. George Stallings in 1987. Stallings broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and started his own "Imani Temple." In 1990 Stephney was known to be assisting Stallings there.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Washington Post 04.30.90

Fr. Robert A. Stricker

Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 03/22/2017
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Stricker, age 84 and retired, was placed on leave by the archdiocese 5/01/2008 pending an investigation of claims that he sexually abused a boy in the 1950s at St. William'a in Price Hill. The Archdiocese had investigated the same man's allegations in 1993 but nothing conclusive was found. The man provided new information in 2008 which Bishop Pilarczyk said had "a semblance of truth." Stricker was restored to ministry in 7/2008 when the Archdiocese's investigation determined the claim could not be substantiated. Died 3/22/2017.

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BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Lawrence Strittmatter

Ordained: 1957
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Former Elder High School principal. Sent for treatment in 1988 after allegations of child abuse in 1983. Placed on leave in 2002 after allegations he abused 2-3 youths in the 1970s. Named in numerous 2003 civil suits, with at least 28 plaintiffs. Most suits dropped because of the statute of limitations. May have abused nearly 100 minors, ages ranging from 4th grade through high school. Laicized in 3/2006. In 11/2018 was living in Beavercreek, OH. Deceased, per the archdiocese's list updated in 1/2020.

Fr. Joseph P. Tedesco

Order: SM
Ordained: 1983
Status: Accused

Died: 12/2/2016
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Professed first vows as a Marianist in 1971, Cincinnati Province. Ordained in 1983. Worked in OH and FL. Died 12/2/2016. Named publicly as accused by the Marianist Order on its list 6/24/2020. Included in 2/2022 on the Cincinnati archdiocese's list of those with substantiated allegations against them.

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Fr. Randolph Ernest Thompson

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Order: OFM
Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 12/3/1991
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools prior to joining the Franciscans in 1942. Died 12/3/1991. Allegation of sexual abuse made public in 8/2019. Archdiocese referred the allegation to the Butler County prosecutor's office in the summer of 2018. The Franciscan Province of St. John the Baptist acknowledged receiving a complaint about Thompson in 1967 and said that he was removed from ministry. Included on their list. Added to the Archdiocese of New Orleans' list in 2020, where he was assigned at some point. Included in 2/2022 on the Cincinnati Archdiocese's list of those against whom there are substantiated allegations.

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Fr. Richard M. Unwin

Ordained: 1979
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Assisted at parishes in Forest Park, Hamilton, Oxford, Springfield and McCartyville, then pastored in Piqua and Tipp City. Unwin was also an educator, teaching at Badin High School in Hamilton, serving as principal of Catholic Central High in Springfield and, briefly, at Lehman High School in Sidney where he was also religion department chair. Placed on leave in 2004 after an allegation that Unwin sexually abused a boy more than 15 years previously. Unwin acknowledged the abuse. His teaching certificate was revoked by the state in 11/2006. Laicization announced 5/11/2007.

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BA.org Assignment Record

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Br. Gino Vertassich

Order: GHM
Status: Accused

Died: 08/17/2003
Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Glenmary order on its list 10/11/2019. Joined Glenmary in 1960, left in 1975. Worked in GA, NC, OH. No indication as to where or when alleged abuse occurred. Died in Cincinnati in 2003. On the Charlotte diocese's list 12/29/2019. It notes an allegation that Vertassich abused a minor in Connecticut in 1969, without further specifics. (Placing him in the Cincinnati archdiocese, where the Glenmary Home Missioners are based.) Included in 11/2020 on the Atlanta archdiocese's list. Included in the 3/24/2023 GA PAC Report.

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Fr. David P. Vincent

Ordained: 1964
Status: Reinstated

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

In 2004 a man alleged abuse in the 1980s by Vincent. The alleged victim refused to cooperate with the Archdiocese, so no action. Placed on leave in 3/2005 after accused of abusing an Elder High School student in 1970. Denied all allegations. Returned to ministry 10/12/2005.

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Seminarian Broderick Witt

Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH

Witt was a student at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary when arrested 2/9/2024 on charges of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor. Law enforcement reportedly found that Witt had eight videos involving girls as young as age 6. The Hamilton County Sheriff's office had been investigating Witt since 9/2023. Prosecutors said Witt had about 230 images and videos showing children being sexually abused. Dismissed from Mount Saint Mary's. Pleaded guilty in 8/2024. Sentenced in 9/2024 to five years' probation and six months in a lockdown sex offender treatment program. Ordered to register as a sex offender.

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