Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

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Terry McKiernan February 26, 2021

31 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Leonard Baldus

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1942
Status: Sued

Died: 07/30/2005
Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

A "Fr. Balden" was one of several accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior. The suit alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. One woman claimed that Fr. "Balden," Fr. Cholewa and another unnamed priest abused her 1975-1982 when she was 5-11 years old. The Catholic Directories do not show a Fr. Balden, but Fr. Leonard Baldus is shown as at the Indian Mission 1976-1978. Baldus died 7/30/2005.

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Fr. Vincent Barsch

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 12/28/2010
Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Conception Abbey Benedictines on their list 8/5/19. Incidents allegedly occurred in South Dakota 1955-1962. Left the priesthood in 1973, married and settled in PA. Died in 2010.

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Brother Leroy

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Order: OMI
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Brother Leroy was one of several accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior. The suit alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. In the suit, one man said he was sexually abused by Br. Leroy 1964-70 when he was ages 6-12. He also alleged abuse by other students at Tekakwitha.

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Br. Brother Tim

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Order: OMI
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Bro. Tim was one of several accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior. The suit alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. In the suit, Bro. Tim and Sr. Boganina were accused of abuse 1944-1945 of a boy, age 9-10.

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Br. Henry Busman

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Order: OMI
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Busman was one of several religious accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior. The suit alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. Six men and two women alleged in the suit that Busman sexually abused them as children between 1960 and 1982.

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Br. Francis P. Chapman

Order: SJ
Status: Sued

Died: 11/30/1990
Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

"Chappy." Reportedly in 2003, Chapman was accused of fondling at least one student at St. Francis Indian School on the Rosebud Reservation. The school principal said he remembered seeing Chapman with a boy on his lap, and said "I didn't like the possibilities. We asked him to leave." Documents show that in 1968 another priest stated "Chappy....[was] fooling around with little girls - he had them down the basement of our building in the dark, where we found a pair of panties torn." Chapman died 11/30/1990 and was buried at St. Francis. A 2011 article links him to abuse of multiple girls. By mid-2010, 6 plaintiffs were participating in litigation regarding Chapman. Cases dismissed by court in 1/2014. Included on the Rapid City diocese's list in 3/2019. On the Jesuits Midwest Province list 12/17/2018.

Assignments:

Jesuits Midwest Province Assignment Record 12.21.18

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Fr. Gregory Cholewa

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1976
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Cholewa was one of several accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior. The suit alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. In the suit, one woman alleges that Fr. Cholewa, Fr. Balden and another unnamed priest abused her 1975-82 when she was ages 5-11.

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Fr. James Vincent Fitzgerald

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1950
Status: Settled

Died: 09/7/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Also known as James V. Fitzgerald. Died 9/07/2009. Accused in a in 2010 lawsuit of abuse at Tekakwitha Indian Mission, Sisseton SD. A man and woman alleged sexual abuse as children in the late 1960s. Worked in the Duluth diocese off and on 1957-1983; also Crookston and New Ulm. Suits filed 11/19/2013 and 2/2014. One accuser known in Crookston. Named on the 12/31/2013 Duluth list. Included on New Ulm list released by Attorney Jeff Anderson 8/04/2014. Names from 1/2014 deposition of Rev. Francis Garvey, former New Ulm official. Judge ordered Crookston diocese in 8/2015 to turn over to "John Doe 19" all records of sexual abuse by priests prior to 1985. Doe 19 claimed sexual abuse as boy by Fitzgerald in the mid-1980s in Naytahwaush MN, on the White Earth Indian Reservation. In 11/2014 a jury awarded $8.1M to a man alleging abuse as a boy in 1978 in the Duluth diocese; he had met Fitzgerald in the New Ulm diocese. Included on the order's list 7/6/2015. Name released in 3/2016 by New Ulm. At least 17 accusers; may be dozens, per attorney. Settlement with Doe 19 in 4/2016. On the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese's list updated 4/1/2019. On the Belleville diocese's list 9/20/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

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Br. Paul A.V. Frey

Order: SJ
Status: Sued

Died: 04/11/1986
Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Jesuit Brother. Accused in civil suit(s) filed in 2010 by at least two people of abusing them as children at church-run Native American boarding schools in South Dakota. Entered Jesuits 12/7/41. Died 4/11/86. On Midwest Province Jesuits list 12/17/18. On Rapid City diocese's list in 3/19.

Assignments:

Jesuits Midwest Province Assignment Record 12.21.18

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Fr. Edward Hess

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Order: OMI
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Hess was one of several accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior. The suit alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD, including sexual abuse by Hess in the late 1940s-early 1950s of a boy and girl, when they were ages 8-10.

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Seminarian Theodore Kowalski

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Order: SJ
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Seminarian. Sued in 2003. One of several Jesuits at St. Francis Indian School on the Rosebud Reservation accused of molesting or fondling at least one boy. Kowalski is accused of "sexual touching." He left the order and married. He denied all. Living in Houston as of 2003.

Sources:

Pioneer Press in Washington Post 06.02.03

Fr. Robert Krantz

Ordained: 1978
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Accused in a 2/08 civil suit of,abusing a male student at O'Gorman High School in 1970, where he was a typing teacher. The student immediately complained to another priest. The school principal called the boy's parents and told them he was a troublemaker. Krantz became a priest in 1978 and was still active as of 11/08. The diocese conducted an investigation in 2005 and found no reason Krantz could not continue to work. Settled at mediation in 6/09.

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Fr. Thomas Lind

Order: SCJ
Ordained: 1958
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Placed on leave after allegations in a SD civil suit that he had abused children at a Native American School in the 1970s. No previous allegations. Order said charges "not credible" in 2/11 and returned him to ministry. Later statement by Order said that the allegation was actually "unsubstantiated." SD Supreme Court ruled lawsuit could go forward in 1/12. Was living and working in the Jackson, MS diocese.

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Fr. Bruce Duncan MacArthur

Ordained: 1953
Status: Convicted

Died: 02/22/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Accused in a 5/2003 lawsuit of sexually abusing a girl 1965-1970, beginning when she was age 10 and a patient at a WI hospital where MacArthur was chaplain. Arrested in 1/2006; charged with abuse of 3 girls at Beaver Dam hospital in the 1960s in WI. Admitted abusing 30 girls. The Sioux Falls diocese knew of his behavior in 1963 and sent him to Via Coeli in NM for treatment. Reassigned. After WI, MacArthur worked in the San Angelo and El Paso TX dioceses. Arrested and convicted in El Paso in 1978 for abuse of a nursing home patient. Records unclear as to whether he served time in prison or was in inpatient treatment before release on probation. Worked in the San Antonio archdiocese 1979-1984. Suits filed in 7/2007 and 9/2007 in WI against Milwaukee and Sioux Falls by two women. Convicted. Sentenced in 8/2008 in WI to 6 months in jail and 10 years probation and to serve an additional month every year for 6 years. Living in TX when he died 2/22/2012. The San Antonio archdiocese announced in 6/2014 a credible allegation of abuse of a girl in the late 1970s. On the Sioux Falls diocese's list 3/21/2019. It notes faculties removed in 4/1992. On San Antonio's list 1/31/2019. Named by the Gallup diocese in 12/2014; volunteered at Gallup shelters in 2003.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. James V. McCormick

Ordained: 1963
Status: Accused

Died: 03/30/2017
Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Named publicly as accused by the Sioux Falls diocese on its list 3/21/2019. Faculties permanently removed in 1/1989. Died 3/30/2017. Per his obituary, McCormick was a priest and teacher in the Sioux Falls Diocese for over 30 years, and moved to Kansas City, MO "where he worked for many years" before returning for health reasons to Salem SD.

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Fr. Frank J. McNeil

Ordained: 1971
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list in 3/19. Fire chaplain. Faculties permanently removed in 4/93. Laicized 6/25/04.

Sources:

Diocese of Sioux Falls List 03.21.19
Argus Leader 03.22.19

Fr. John Ignatius Murray

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Named publicly as accused by the Sioux Falls diocese on its list in 3/19. Reportedly ordained for Boston. Faculties permanently removed 8/91. Died in Helena MT 5/12/12.

Sources:

Diocese of Sioux Falls List 03.21.19
Argus Leader 03.22.19

Fr. Louis D. Nally

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Ordained: 1921
Status: Accused

Died: 10/23/1987
Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

From Ireland, where he was ordained. Worked in Grand Island, NE and then in SD parishes 1950 until he retired in 1973. Worked at Gettysburg Memorial Hospital before and during retirement, until his death. Died 10/23/1987 at age 93 in a one-car crash. Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list in 3/2019. Allegations reportedly surfaced after his death.

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Fr. William J. Neuroth

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Ordained: 1963
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Faculties permanently removed in 9/94. Accused in a 1995 civil suit of abusing a youth for four years in the 1970s at O'Gorman High School, and of stalking him. Family went to Bishop to request Church order him to stop. Neuroth admitted similar relationship with two other boys, and a third who died by suicide. One man said Neuroth abused him in the 1960s from his pre-teen through college years. Suit settled in 1999. 10/95. Laicized Died 6/1/13. On diocese's list in 3/19.

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Fr. William Pitcavage

Order: SCJ
Ordained: 1976
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Elected vice provincial of Order in 2010. Placed on leave after allegations in SD civil suit that he had abused children at a Native American School in the 1970s. No previous allegations. Order said charges "not credible" in 2/11 and returned him to ministry. Later statement by Order said that the allegation was actually "unsubstantiated." SD Supreme Court ruled lawsuit could go forward in 1/12. Worked in WI early in career.

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Fr. John Pohlen

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1923
Status: Sued

Died: 02/24/1969
Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Pohlen was one of several accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior. The suit alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD; three men and two women claimed Pohlen, who was head of the orphanage, abused them as children in the 1950s. Died in 1969.

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Fr. Thomas J. Ryan

Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 01/17/2017
Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Named publicly as accused by the Sioux Falls diocese on its list in 3/2019. Faculties permanently removed in 5/2002. Died 1/17/2017.

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Sister Boganina

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Order: SDS
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Sister Boganina was one of several religious accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior, which alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. In the suit, one man alleged abuse by Sr. Boganina and a Br. Jim 1944-1945 when he was ages 9-10.

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Sister Gabrini

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Order: SDS
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Sister Gabrini was one of several religious accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior, which alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. In the suit, one man alleged she sexually abused him while bathing him 1946-50 when he was ages 4-8.

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Sister John

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Order: SDS
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Sr. John was one of several religious accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior which alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. In the suit she and several others were accused of abusing a girl in the 1960s when she was between the ages of 5 and 13.

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Sister Katherine

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Order: SDS
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Sister Katherine was one of several religious accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior which alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. In the suit, one male alleged that when he was ages 6-11 during 1947-53, she would sexually molest and abuse him while giving him baths.

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Sister Lagenda

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Order: SDS
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Sr. Lagenda was one of several religious accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior, which alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. One man and one woman accused her of abuse in the 1960s.

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Sister Lucy Marie

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Order: SDS
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Sister Lucy Marie, Mother Superior of the orphanage, was one of several religious accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior which alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. Two women alleged she forced them as children in the 1950s-60s to simulate sex acts with a life-sized doll.

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Sister Theresa

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Order: SDS
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Sr. Theresa was one of several religious accused in a 2010 civil suit against the diocese, Oblates and Sisters of the Divine Savior which alleged abuse of students at Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton SD. One woman said Sr. Theresa sexually and physically abused her when she was ages 4-11 during 1947-54. The same woman said she was also forced by the Mother Superior and others to simulate sex acts with a life-sized doll.

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Fr. Francis Suttmiller

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1954
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Accused in 2010 lawsuit(s) of abuse of students at St. Paul's Indian Mission (a church-run boarding school for Native American children), on the Yankton Sioux Reservation. Died in 1996.

Sources:

Blue Cloud Abbey Obituary
Huffington Post 04.19.11

Fr. Leonard M. Thury

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Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Sioux Falls SD

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list in 3/19. Faculties permanently removed 9/87. Laicized 3/93. Died 5/13/03.

Sources:

Argus
Diocese of Sioux Falls List 03.21.19

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