38 Accused in This Diocese
- Fox 28 07.17.13
- Columbus Dispatch 07.17.13
- 10 TV 07.17.13
- NBC4i 07.17.13
- SNAP Statement 07.17.13
- Newark Advocate 07.18.13
- Fox 28 07.07.14
- Bostoncom 03.28.16
- Columbus Dispatch 03.28.16
- The Patch 03.28.16
- Boston Globe 03.28.16
- Boston Globe 03.28.16
- BishopAccountability 03.28.16
- WBUR 03.28.16
- WBUR 03.28.16
- SNAP 03.29.16
- 10TV 03.29.16
- Columbus Dispatch 03.30.16
- Columbus Dispatch 04.26.16
- Columbus Dispatch 04.26.02
- Columbus Dispatch 04.27.02
- Dayton Daily News 05.12.02
- Columbus Dispatch 06.29.02
- Columbus Dispatch 10.10.02
- Columbus Dispatch 01.30.03
- Columbus Dispatch 07.31.03
- Columbus Dispatch 11.21.03
- Columbus Dispatch 02.19.05
- Columbus Dispatch 01.20.06
- Diocese of Columbus List 03.09.19
- Collection of Articles prior to 12.31.12
- CBC News 01.08.13
- Times-Colonist 01.09.13
- Saanich News 02.20.13
- The Province 02.25.13
- Saanich News 02.25.13
- Times Colonist 02.25.13
- CTV 02.26.13
- Columbus Dispatch 02.26.13
- Times Colonist 03.07.13
- Victoria News 07.17.13
- Victoria News 07.19.13
- Times Colonist 07.19.13
- Columbus Dispatch 08.28.13
- SNAP Letter to Bishop Campbell 08.28.13
- Victoria News 08.29.13
- Lez Get Real 09.05.13
- Sooke News Mirror 09.11.13
- Vancouver Sun 04.15.14
- Diocese of Columbus List 03.01.19
- Columbus Dispatch 01.18.06
- WBNS-10TV 01.19.06
- Columbus Dispatch 01.20.06
- Lancaster Eagle-Gazette 01.27.06
- Columbus Dispatch 02.12.06
- Toledo Blade 10.06.06
- Toledo Blade 10.07.06
- Toledo Blade 11.10.06
- Toledo Blade 11.15.06
- Canonical Consultation 05.04.16
- Fox 9 05.04.16
- Crux 05.05.16
- Fox 9 05.06.16
- Fox 9 04.25.17
- Diocese of Columbus list 03.01.19
Fr. Ronald J. Atwood
Removed 7/16/2013 without faculties after an allegation was received 7/15/2013 of sexual abuse at Bishop Ready High School and/or St. Stephen the Martyr and St. Peter parishes in Columbus between 1976 and 1979. Investigated. In 1999, Atwood was charged with public indecency in a park known for homosexual activity. Pleaded no contest in 2000 to urinating on a tree; paid fine. Included on Attorney Garabedian's list 3/28/2016 of accused clerics named in civil claims resulting in settlements or arbitration awards, regarding alleged abuse of a boy while assigned to Bishop Ready High School in Columbus OH, 1975-1980. Claim settled in 2/2015. Case sent to the Vatican. Died 4/14/2016.
Assignments:
Sources:
Fr. Hector Bellinato
Named publicly as accused by the Columbus diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Last indexed in the 1969 Official Catholic Directory. Deceased.
Sources:
Fr. Thomas M. Bennett
Assistant pastor St. Joseph Cathedral (1957-1960), Blessed Sacrament, Newark (1960-1963) and St. Thomas the Apostle, Columbus (1963-1964).Taught at Newark Catholic High School (1960-1963) and at St. Charles Prep High School 1963 until his death in 2008. Assisted area parishes. Also, Administrator Pro Tem at St. Catharine of Siena in Columbus (1978) and Ascension in Johnstown (1981-1982). Diocesan archivist 1988-2008. Named Monsignor in 1992. Died 9/8/2008. Bennett was accused in a 7/2018 lawsuit of sexually abusing a freshman boy multiple times in 2002-2003 at St. Charles Prep. Another former student came forward by 11/2018, saying Bennett molested him when he was a junior in 5/1981. Settlement of $1M announced by Diocese in 8/2020.
Fr. Thomas J. Brosmer
Removed in 7/2012 from assignment at St. Cecelia in Columbus after a recent allegation that he had abused a boy, age 11, at St. Nicholas in Zanesville 1969-1973. Also a teacher at Bishop Rosecrans High School during that time. Police and review board notified. Review board found allegations credible. No criminal charges filed due to the statute of limitations. Diocesan investigation was to continue. Brosmer died 6/22/2020.
Sources:
Fr. James Csaszar
Pastor of Resurrection in New Albany, previously long-time pastor of St. Rose in New Lexington. Placed on leave 11/7/2017 by the diocese due to "excessive and questionable text and telephone communications with a minor and potential misuse of church funds." The minor was a 16-year-old boy. Police were investigating. Csaszar took his own life in 12/2017. In 4/2018 investigators said he left suicide notes. He denied sexual contact with any child or adult. The boy denied a sexual relationship, but said he felt manipulated and threatened by Csaszar. The diocese said text messages between the two referenced a nude photo of the boy.
Fr. Michael Ellifritz
Retired in 2002 for "health reasons." Ellifritz had acknowledged improper contact with a boy between late 1970s-early 1980s. Diocese had known of allegations for some time and Ellifritz had been under supervision for years. Laicization announced 2/18/2005. Died in Kissimmee, FL in 11/2021, where, per his obituary, he had lived since 2004.
Fr. Roger Emmert
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Died 2/1/1997, age 56. Per his obituary, Emmert taught at St. Charles College, St. Charles Prep School and St. Joseph Academy in Columbus, and Summit Country Day School in Cincinnati.
Fr. Harry Estadt
Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Assigned to St. Thomas the Apostle for forty years, beginning in 1935. Died 3/15/1991.
Fr. Joseph N. Fete
Monsignor. Accused of the sex abuse of a teenage boy for four years, 1976-1979, ending when the boy reached adulthood. Fete apparently admitted the 'relationship' in 1999 after his accuser contacted the diocese. A financial settlement was negotiated in 1999. Removed from pastoral duties in 4/2002. Laicized in 2005 or 2006. Included on the diocese's list 3/1/2019.
Sources:
Fr. Kenneth France-Kelly
Named publicly as accused by the Columbus diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Abuse allegedly occurred elsewhere. Prior to ordination taught at Eastern Senior High School in the DC public school system 1968-1975. Worked in Youngstown OH, Nairobi, Kenya, New York City, Columbus OH, Washington DC, Jersey City NJ, Louisville KY. Died 6/21/2015 in Columbus. On the Dominicans St. Joseph Province list in late 2018. It notes removal from public ministry in 2008 due to a credible allegation in 1975, before ordination.
Fr. John Joseph Gamba
From Italy. Ordained in Italy for the Dominican Order. Worked in the Columbus OH diocese beginning in the 1950s. Retired in 1985. Died 11/21/2009 at age 93. Named publicly by the diocese in 9/2019 as credibly accused.
Fr. John A. Geiger
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Allegation noted to have been made after his death. Died 3/23/1995. Per a eulogy posted online, Geiger had been a pastor, teacher, and editor of the diocesan newspaper. It alluded to his "struggle of the past nine years," and that he resisted the assistance offered by Bishop Griffin, which led to his suspension. It said the bishop lifted the suspension the day before Geiger died of cancer, at Geiger's request. Nicknamed "Gus" or "Buddy."
Fr. Michael F. Hanrahan
Resigned in 1993. Pled guilty in 1994 to molesting a boy in 1983-1984. Served three years in prison. Avoided prosecution in cases involving the boy's two older brothers. Civil suit filed by at least one man. Court ordered the diocese to produce Hanrahan's secret archive file. Diocese settled, file not produced. Court ruled in 1998 that procedural error meant Hanrahan no longer had to register as a sexual predator. Laicized in the early 1990s. Died in 2007. On the diocese's list of credibly accused 3/1/2019.
Br. Robert E. Hayden
Bro. Robert a/k/a "Paul" Hayden a/k/a Bro. Declan. Entered the Order in 1966 in Albuquerque NM. Worked with the disabled at Good Shepherd Manor in Momence IL, with the homeless in Philadelphia PA, in Miami FL and in Columbus OH. Sentenced to one year in prison in 1986 for sexually abusing mentally retarded men at a group home in Columbus. One resident contracted AIDS and died. A civil suit filed in 1993 accused Hayden and Bro. Fintan Shaffer of abuse. Also named was Order, which ran the home, and other religious. Suit settled in Fall 1997. Mother of victim was to donate proceeds to charity to help other victims. Hayden died in NM 10/3/2009.
Fr. David Heimann
On staff at Pontifical College Josephinum Seminary in Columbus OH 1958- 5/1961. Dismissed when found to be running a sex ring involving high school boys. Would have the boys take off their clothes and look at their bodies in mirrors, then tell them how good their bodies were and that Jesus loved them and their bodies. Reportedly laicized in 1963. On Columbus diocese's list 3/1/2019. Deceased. Added to the Rockford IL diocese list in 10/2020. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.
Fr. Louis E. Hoffman
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Died 12/7/1975. Allegation noted to have been received after his death.
Sources:
Fr. Robert Hunt
Named publicly by the Columbus diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Deceased.
Sources:
Deacon James L. Hutson
Ordained for the permanent diaconate in 1982. Assigned to St. Paul's in Westerville. Pleaded guilty in 10/1988 to molesting a boy under the age of 13 11/1/1982-10/31/1983. Sentenced in 1/1989 to two years in prison. Died in 1998. Included on the diocese's list 3/1/2019.
Fr. Philip J. Jacobs
Removed from ministry in the Columbus OH diocese in 1993 after reports that he had sexually abused as many as 10 children. Sent to treatment, then went to work as a priest in the Victoria diocese in Vancouver, B.C. Removed from ministry there in 2002 after news of allegations in OH. Subsequently is said to have worked in a "non-church" job in Europe. Arrested 8/2010 as he disembarked from a plane in Victoria, BC upon his arrival from San Francisco. Charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, and sexual exploitation involving children under the age of 14. Found guilty at trial in 2/2013 of sexually touching as boy. Sentenced in 9/2013 to two years' probation with a five-month conditional sentence. Ordered to register as a sex offender. On the Columbus diocese's list 3/1/2019. Laicized.
Assignments:
Sources:
Fr. Timothy Keane
Named publicly as accused by the Columbus diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Assigned in MA, CA and OH. Left the priesthood and married. Died in FL at age 90 in 2011.
Fr. Raymond E. Lavelle
Retired in 2000. In 9/2013 the Diocese received an allegation that Lavelle sexually abused a minor 1971-1980, while pastor of St. Agnes in Columbus. The Diocesan Review Board found the allegation credible and that it warranted further investigation. Lavelle was living at an extended care nursing home in 2013. He died 12/31/2015. In 2/2021 a man reported that Lavelle raped him when he was a 14-year-old altar boy in 1997 in the sacristy of St. Joan of Arc in Powell. Diocesan officials reportedly told the man that his was the fourth credible allegation against Lavelle.
Fr. Frederick A. Loyd
Report to the Columbus diocese in 11/2008 that Loyd sexually abused a 15-year-old boy for two years, beginning in 1985, while assigned to St. Francis de Sales in Newark, OH. Bishop Campbell ordered Loyd to refrain from all public ministry pending investigation. In 12/2008 the review board found the allegations credible. Campbell began the process to remove Loyd permanently. His last assignment was in 2004. Retired from active ministry in 2006. The Diocese stated this was the first allegation against Loyd. On the diocese's list 3/1/2019. Laicized.
Fr. Robert H. Luchi
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Noted to have left ministry. Died 11/25/2017.
Fr. Kevin Lutz
Placed on leave 9/11/2019 after an allegation of sexual abuse of a 14-year-old boy in 1984, while assigned to St. Christopher's in Grandview. Lutz had retired just days before his suspension. In 6/2020 the Diocesan Review Board deemed the allegation credible. Per the diocese, the abuse allegedly occurred from 1982 to 1986.
Fr. Dean A. Mathewson
Placed on leave 1/24/2022 due to an allegation received 1/19/2022 that he sexually abused a minor, ages 12-14, in the early 1990s while assigned to St. Francis de Sales in Newark OH. Added in 5/2022 to the Columbus diocese's list of credibly accused .
Assignments:
Sources:
Fr. Bernard J. McClory
Named publicly by the diocese as accused on its list 3/9/2019. Retired in 1997. Died 11/21/2015. Per his obituary, McClory "served on a number of diocesan boards, committees and commissions."
Fr. Thomas L. McLaughlin
Sentenced in 1989 to 18 months in prison for sexually molesting a 12-year-old boy. Pleaded guilty; charges involving six other boys dismissed. Spent a year at Hocking Correctional Facility. After his release from prison in 1990 he "complied with [Bishop] Griffin's request" that he be laicized. Civil suit filed by two victims and settled in 1992. Died 2/6/2013.
Fr. Samuel E. Ritchey
Accused in 12/2005 of abuse of a youth in 1977. Review board deemed the allegations credible. Placed on leave. A second man alleged in 2/2006 that Ritchey gave him drugs and alcohol and attempted to molest him in 1978, when the man was senior in high school. Teaching certificate revoked by the state in 11/2006. In 2016 a man spoke publicly about being molested at age 16 by Ritchey in 1974. He said he asked Ritchey how many other kids he did that with, and Ritchey told him "I have several 'special friends' from my parish." The man's mother was a cousin of newly ordained and later Bishop Nienstedt, who introduced Ritchey to him. Nienstedt reportedly was told of the abuse, and did nothing. On diocese's list 3/1/2019. Noted to have been laicized and to be deceased.
Assignments:
Sources:
Fr. Francis R. Schaefer
Accused of abusing six boys at a parish in 1962. In 1966 families met with Msgr. Applegate, who promised Schaefer would get help. No action taken for months, then transferred. Bishop was informed in 1970 of Schaefer's misdeeds, but no action. In 1970 Schaefer moved to new parish where he allegedly abused again 1970-1975. Two civil suits filed in 1993. Included on the diocese's list 3/1/2019. Deceased.
Sources:
Fr. David Schilder
First named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese in 12/2019. Alleged abuse in 1968 was first reported to the diocese in 2004. Schilder retired and was barred from public ministry. Another allegation was reported in 9/2019, of abuse 1981-1983. The diocesan review board deemed this allegation credible and Schilder was placed on administrative leave. Included on the Youngstown diocese's list updated 3/5/2020. On the Lexington diocese's list in 8/2020, where he was chaplain 2001-2004 at the Ashland Federal Correction Institution.
Fr. Robert R. Schmidt
Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Died 11/29/2004. Allegation noted to have been received after his death.
Sources:
Br. Fintan Shaffer
Brother Fintan. Given name was Guy Dale Shaffer. Administrator of home for mentally handicapped in Columbus OH, run by his Order. In 1985 there were allegations that Shaffer and other religious had abused residents of the home. One resident died of AIDS. No criminal charges. Civil suit filed in 1993, settled in 1997. Left the order in the mid-1980s and died in NM in 1989. Per his obituary, Shaffer was married and had a son (with a different last name). Included on Santa Fe archdiocese's list of credibly accused 9/12/2017.
Assignments:
Sources:
Fr. Theodore J. Spires
"Ted." Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Deceased. Laicized. Noted to have been accused after his death.
Sources:
Fr. Alan M. Sprenger
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Noted to have been accused after his death. Prior to ordination, Sprenger was a Marianist brother and taught at Chaminade High School in Dayton, OH and North Catholic High in Pittsburgh, PA. Co-founder of Youth Homes for teenage wards of the court and county children's services. Retired in 2001. Died 4/15/2006.
Fr. John P. Tague
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Died 6/15/1983. Noted to have been accused after his death.
Fr. George Tumeo
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Laicized.
Sources:
Fr. Martin Weithman
Placed on leave in 7/2002 after an allegation that he molested a teenage boy over a 6-year period in the late 1980s. Denied the allegation and threatened to sue his accuser. Case settled for $115K in 2002. Review board found the allegations credible. In 2003 Weithman was told to ask for laicization or the Bishop would ask the Vatican to laicize him without consent. Weithman did not consent until 2004. Laicized in 2005.
Sr. Lisa Zuccarelli
Member of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, formerly the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs, Columbus OH. First assigned in 1975. In 7/2018 a woman alleged that Zuccarelli molested her in 1982 when she was a student at Fisher Catholic High School in Lancaster. The Order removed Zuccarelli from ministry and restricted her from unsupervised contact with minors and former students. Zuccarelli taught at Fisher High 1980-1985. Prior to that she was a teacher at Desales High 1975-1977 and Catholic Central High in Steubenville 1978-1980. Taught at Georgetown University's School of Nursing 1995-1999, chaplain there at St. Mary's Hall and Darnall Hall 1996-2002. Director of academic enrichment and student life until 2003. Professor at Salve Regina University in RI from 2003 until her 2018 removal. The Order deemed the allegation credible.