46 Accused in This Diocese
- Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19
- Burlington Free Press 05.22.02
- Burlington Free Press 10.01.02
- Burlington Free Press 12.17.02
- Rutland Herald 07.05.03
- Times Argus 07.11.03
- Associated Press 03.07.04
- Times Argus 04.02.06
- Burlington Free Press 04.30.06
- Times Argus 06.18.06
- Website: Catholic Scouters & Sexual Abuse, 11.30.07
- Burlington Free Press 02.02.08
- Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19
- Seven Days 09.11.19
- Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19
- WCAX 09.09.06
- Burlington Free Press 09.09.06
- Burlington Free Press 09.11.06
- WCAX 09.11.06
- Sun Journal 09.12.06
- Rutland Herald 09.12.06
- Burlington Free Press 09.12.06
- Rutland Herald 02.04.07
- St Albans Messenger 03.09.07
- Rutland Herald 04.27.07
- Burlington Free Press 04.27.07
- WCAX 04.30.07
- Burlington Free Press 05.01.07
- Burlington Free Press 02.09.08
- Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19
- Seven Days 08.22.19
- BA.org Assignment Record
- Diocese of Ft Wayne-South Bend list 09.18.18
- Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19
- Diocese of Fall River List 01.26.21
- Links to Additional Articles between 2005 – May, 2008
- Boston Herald 09.27.02
- Times Argus (AP) 09.15.04
- Burlington Free Press 11.18.04
- Burlington Free Press 05.05.08
- Burlington Free Press 05.17.08
- Burlington Free Press 05.18.08
- Times Argus 05.18.08
- Burlington Free Press 05.27.08
- Burlington Free Press 07.25.08
- Times Argus 07.26.08
- Times Argus 08.03.08
- Burlington Free Press 08.28.08
- Burlington Free Press 08.28.08
- Burlington Free Press 08.31.08
- Burlington Free Press 08.31.08
- WCAX 05.06.09
- WCAX 05.06.09
- Providence Journal 05.07.09
- Providence Journal 05.07.09
- Burlington Free Press 05.08.09
- Burlington Free Press 09.27.09
- Burlington Free Press 02.02.10
- Burlington Free Press 02.02.10
- Burlington Free Press 04.21.10
- Burlington Free Press 05.13.10
- Burlington Free Press 05.13.10
- Burlington Free Press 02.16.11
- Burlington Free Press 02.04.12
- Rutland Herald 01.08.13
- News-Times 01.09.13
- Burlington Free Press 01.10.13
- Rutland Herald 06.01.14
- Times Argus 06.01.14
- Seven Days 08.22.18
- Diocese of Ft Wayne-South Bend 09.18.18
- WVAX 10.02.18
- Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19
- The Republican 08.23.19
- Rutland Herald 08.27.19
- Rutland Herald 09.07.19
- Vt Digger 09.29.19
- Vt Digger 09.30.19
- Diocese of Fall River List 01.26.21
- VTDigger 09.13.24
- Boston Globe 10.24.24
- Associated Press 06.17.02
- Associated Press 09.28.03
- Rutland Herald 09.28.03
- Associated Press 10.15.03
- The Republican 10.16.03
- Bennington Banner 09.13.04
- Associated Press 09.14.04
- Associated Press 09.15.04
- Times Argus 09.15.04
- Times Argus 04.02.06
- WCAX 07.19.06
- Burlington Free Press 08.28.06
- WCAX 08.28.06
- Burlington Free Press 01.25.07
- Rutland Herald 01.25.07
- Rutland Herald 02.04.07
- Burlington Free Press 04.13.07
- Burlington Free Press 08.05.07
- Burlington Free Press 08.19.08
- Press Release by The Office of Sobierski & Stobierski, 12.03.08
- VTdigger 10.21.18
- Seven Days 08.22.19
- The Republican 08.23.19
- Diocese of Burlington List 10.18.19
- Diocese of Springfield MA List 09.01.22
- BA.org Assignment Record
- Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19
- VT Supreme Court Decision: Turner V Roman Catholic Diocese (2008-003)
- Burlington Free Press 04.07.04
- Times Argus 04.02.06
- Burlington Free Press 04.30.06
- Burlington Free Press 03.20.07
- Burlington Free Press 04.23.07
- Burlington Free Press 06.02.07
- Burlington Free Press 06.12.07
- WCAX 06.14.07
- Burlington Free Press 06.15.07
- Times Argus 06.17.07
- Rutland Herald 06.21.07
- Burlington Free Press 06.22.07
- WVEC (AP) 06.22.07
- Burlington Free Press 06.23.07
- Times Argus 06.26.07
- Rutland Herald 07.01.07
- Burlington Free Press 10.06.07
- Burlington Free Press 11.23.07
- Burlington Free Press 10.09.09
- Burlington Free Press 12.11.18
- VT Digger 12.11.18
- VT Digger 12.22.18
- Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19
- Seven Days 08.22.19
- Rutland Herald 08.27.19
Fr. Robert J. Baffa
Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 8/22/2019. Faculties withdrawn and retired 6/19/2002. Died 3/23/2013 in Norristown, PA.
Fr. James E. Beauregard
Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Retired 1/11/02 for health reasons. Faculties revoked 9/11/03. Died 7/28/15.
Fr. Conrad Bessette
Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/19. Worked in Barre, Springfield, St. Albans, Rutland, Burlington, Newport, Graniteville and Milton. Removed in 1990. Public faculties removed in 2004. Laicized in 2011. On the diocese's list 8/22/19.
Fr. Paul M. Bresnehan
Monsignor. Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19 (misspelled Bresnahan). Retired 5/15/02. Died 7/23/03.
Fr. Donald A. Bruneau
Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Died 6/2/94.
Fr. James J. Campbell
Named publicly by the diocese as credibly accused on its list 8/22/19. Arrived in the Burlington diocese from St. Cloud, MN in 7/62. Left the diocese in 3/65. Suspended in in 1965, ordered to return to the Paracletes in MN. Left the priesthood, married in 1968.
Fr. Roger W. Carlin
Named publicly by attorney Mitchell Garabedian in 7/21 as accused in a lawsuit. Carlin allegedly sexually abused an altar boy, age 9, in 1966-67, at St. John Vianney Parish in South Burlington. He died 1/16/80, at age 50. The suit settled in 5/24.
Fr. Robert E. Devoy
From Quebec, Canada. Spent entire priesthood in VT. Parish priest 1903-35. Assigned to St. Joseph Orphanage 1935 until his death in 1955. Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Died 3/4/55. Allegation received by the diocese in 1996.
Fr. James Dunn
Named in a 2005 civil suit. Accused of abuse. Dunn was age 76 in 2006. It was believed the suit was still pending in 12/08. The 1966-69 volumes of the Official Catholic Directory (which reflect the years 1966-68), index James Dunn, s.P. (Servants of the Paraclete), and a James J. Dunn in the diocese during the same time period. James, s.P. first appears in the 1965 Directory, in Burlington. Both names disappear from the index after 1969.
Fr. Joseph H. Dussault
Civil suit against Dussault was revealed in 1/13, with claims of misconduct with an altar boy 1963-1967 while serving in Derby Line, along the Canadian border. Dussault retired in 1978 and died 12/11/87. Suit settled 1/13.
Fr. John F. Eastman
Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Suspended in 8/53, sent to Jemez Springs, NM 1953-55. Transferred to Diocese of Monterey-Fresno CA 1955-67. Appealed to return to Burlington, denied in 1989.
Fr. James F. Foley
Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Retired 1984. Died 11/27/02.
Fr. Edward C. Foster
Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Faculties revoked 5/11/94. Retired 6/22/94. Died 4/14/00.
Fr. William P. Gallagher
Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019. Placed on leave 5/22/2002, then resigned. Retired 6/19/2002. Died 10/13/2003.
Fr. Edward J. Gelineau
Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Parish priest, Catholic Charities director 1957-66. Retired in 1990. Died 6/18/10, age 95.
Bishop Louis E. Gelineau
Accused in 1997 of taking an 11- or 12-year-old boy at St. Joseph's Orphanage in Burlington VT off by himself and pulling the boy's fly down in 1951. When the boy fled, Gelineau allegedly pursued him and tried to drown him. At the time, Gelineau was a seminarian assigned to the orphanage, scene of much physical and sexual abuse. In a 1997 deposition, Gelineau stated that he remembered the boy at the orphanage. In his deposition, Gelineau also denies having any sexual contact with an altar boy in 1993. Retired in 6/97.
Fr. John A. Guichard
Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Retired 1991, continued campus ministry work at St. Joseph's College in Rutland. Died 5/15/07.
Fr. John B. Kenney
Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese in on its list 8/22/19. Accused in a 2006 lawsuit of sexually abusing a teenage boy while assigned to St. Joseph's Cathedral 1962-65. Settled. Removed from ministry in 2006. Age 91 and living in West Glover in 8/19.
Fr. John A. Lanoue
Named publicly as accused by the Edmundites on their list 8/7/19. It notes an allegation received in 1996, of abuse in Vermont in 1954. Taught history at St. Michael's College until 1975. Died 6/16/80. Suit filed in 1997, claiming that in 1955 Lanoue abused a boy who attended Holy Family Parish in Essex Junction. The boy's father allegedly confronted Lanoue in the presence of St. Michael's college president. Rev. Francis Moriarity, and Lanoue admitted the abuse.
Fr. Michael K. Madden
Faculties revoked in 4/88. Resigned as pastor of St. Paul 's in Barton 7/12/88. Convicted in 1989 for lewd conduct with a boy. Authorities knew of other victims over a 20-year period. Sentenced to probation for five years. Violated probation at least six times. Ended up serving two years in prison. Civil trial 1994; ordered to pay victim $175K. A second suit filed 2003. Died 9/10/00, while vacationing in Austria. On the diocese's list of credibly accused 8/22/19.
Fr. James J. McShane
Boy Scouts chaplain 1967-93. Diocesan Youth Director and Chaplain at Camp Holy Cross 1976-82. In 1975 or 1976 counselors at Camp Holy Cross found 80 slides of naked boys in McShane's cabin. The camp director and two other men told then-Bishop John Marshall, who basically told them they were in the wrong for having been in the cabin. Placed on leave 2002. Sued. Accused of abuse of several youths, including at least one at the camp. One suit settled for $120,000 in 2004. One pending 2006. On the diocese's list 8/22/19.
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Fr. Brian E. Mead
First named publicly as accused in 10/18 by a news outlet. Per church documents, in 2002 the A.G. instructed the Diocese to give information about allegations 1950-2000. The diocese produced 21 names. Mead reportedly could have been charged with multiple counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child, but the diocese did not act and the statute of limitations expired. In 1996 a man told Bishop Angell Mead sexually abused him for six years, beginning at age 11. Mead was kept in ministry. The man received a settlement with a confidentiality requirement. Mead was placed on leave in 5/02, resigned in 1/03 and his faculties revoked in 12/04. On the diocese's list of credibly accused 8/22/19.
Fr. John Milanese
Placed on leave in 5/02 after an allegation that he abused an 8-year-old boy in the mid-1980s. Alleged victim was in jail in 5/02. Milanese denied the accusations and passed a polygraph test. Vermont's AG declined to file criminal charges. Church investigated and returned Milanese to active ministry as of 10/28/02. Retired in 9/19.
Fr. Walter D. Miller
Held prominent positions in the diocese, including Chancellor. Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Resigned and retired 12/17/04, faculties revoked 1/7/05. Died 1/2/14.
Fr. Joseph Maxime Mooney
Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Retired 3/9/56. Died 12/31/65.
Fr. George O. Murtagh
Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 10/18/19. Parish priest. Resigned as pastor 10/4/97, transferred to Institute of Living and Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, CT 1987-91. Faculties revoked 12/17/92 by Bishop Angell. Died 12/7/11 in Ocala, FL.
Fr. Stephen J. Nichols
Diocese received complaint in 2005; investigated internally over four months before reporting to police. Attorney General's office investigated. Placed on leave 4/3/06. Charged 9/06 with sexually molesting a male teen. Nichols claimed that the victim was the aggressor in the incident. Pled guilty 5/1/07; sentenced to 30 days jail and two years probation. Resigned as pastor 6/7/07. Laicized 1/23/15.
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Fr. Edward O. Paquette, Jr.
Ordained for the Diocese of Fall River; faculties removed in 1963. Serial abuser of boys. Sent to treatment in IN, worked in Fort Wayne-South Bend diocese. After 7 years, accepted into the Burlington diocese; sent to treatment in 1974 and 1978; faculties removed in 1978; per an internal memo, the Diocese could no longer could keep a lid on things. Allegations of abuse in MA, IN and VT, including of abuse of a hospitalized male teenage quadriplegic. The first VT suit settled for $965K in 4/2006. Named in a 3/2007 suit. A jury awarded $8.7M to one plaintiff in 5/2008. One suit settled in 7/2008. Another tried to mistrial in 8/2008. A third trial in 12/2008 awarded $3.6M. Laicization announced in 5/2009. A fourth trial in 10/2009 awarded $2.2M. In 5/2010, 23 of 28 cases were settled. Paquette was living in Westfield MA in the Springfield diocese at the time. Four more suits were filed in 2010. Eleven settled in 1/2013. Included on the Ft. Wayne-South Bend IN diocese's 9/18/2018 list. Suit filed in 8/2019. On the Burlington diocese's list 8/22/2019. On the Fall River diocese's list in 1/2021. Named in a lawsuit in 9/2024.
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Fr. George A. Paulin
Suspended and faculties revoked 5/25/2002. Sued. Accused of abuse of a teenage boy in the 1980s. Reported to the Burlington Diocese in 1987; no action. Resigned as pastor 1/1/2003; later found playing organ for two other churches. Settlement in 2003. Another suit was filed in 9/2004. The Diocese admitted in 8/2006 that it found 27 years' worth of files on Paulin, which the Church had previously said didn't exist. Settlement with second plaintiff in 4/2007 for $135K. Another claim settled in 2008. Included on the Diocese of Springfield MA's list, which notes more than one credible allegation, occurring 1968-1969. (Paulin is from Greenfield, MA.)
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Fr. Paul I. Plouffe
Named publicly by the Edmundite order on its list 8/7/2019. Allegation received in 2006 of abuse in VT in 1946. Plouffe died 8/22/2004.
Fr. Raymond C. Provost
Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. It notes that Provost retired for health reasons 11/28/75, continued some parish work until about 1995. Died 8/13/98. Allegation received in 2005.
Fr. Daniel F. Roberts
Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 8/22/2019. Allegation first received in 2002. In 1/2021 a woman told a news outlet that Roberts sexually assaulted her at age 10 in 1949, at St. Anthony's in White River Junction. She told her parents; her father called the police and the head of the parish. Roberts was transferred. He became a girls' school chaplain in Burlington, worked in a number of parishes and schools and as chaplain at a psychiatric facility for children in Brandon, VT. Retired 10/1/1980. Died 12/11/1981.
Fr. Soutiere Ronald A.
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Resigned as pastor of St. Ann's in 4/02, placed on administrative leave in 6/02. Faculties revoked 11/2/04.
Fr. Forrest W. Rouelle
Rouelle's name is mentioned in 8/08 trial against Burlington Diocese and Fr. Edward Paquette. Former Vicar General Searles was questioned about Rouelle and other priests in connection with diocese's concern about sexual misconduct allegations. Rouelle retired in 1/98 and died 3/25/98.
Fr. Emile W. Savary
Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Died 6/8/66. Diocese notes allegation of abuse first received in 1996.
Sister Claire
Accused of abuse of a girl at St. Joseph's Orphanage 1958-64. Deceased. Judge dismissed lawsuit in 1998, stating that the institution cannot be held responsible for acts without evidence that they knew.
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Fr. Ronald A. Soutiere
Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. It notes he worked in the diocese 1974-83 and 1999-02. Listed in the 1985 Catholic Directory as a military chaplain. Resigned as pastor of St. Ann's in Milton in 4/02. Placed on leave in 6/02. Faculties revoked 11/2/04.
Fr. John A. Stankiewicz
Accusations "quietly" made public by the Edmundites on a list posted to its website around 9/19. Retired 1989. In 1992 two people reported to the order abuse in the 1950s by Stankiewicz. Allegations substantiated. The order paid for the victims' counseling. Stankiewicz was inducted in 1994 to the order's St. Michael's College Athletic Hall of Fame. Died 1/12/2000.
Fr. Edward J. Stapleton
Named publicly as accused by the Edmundite order on its list 8/7/19. Allegation received in 2004 of abuse in VT in 1974. Stapleton died 7/14/83, age 63.
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Fr. Richard E. Thompson
Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Suspended 8/1/84. Died 9/23/06 in South Yarmouth, MA.
Fr. Charles A. Towne
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Retired 1972. Died 2/15/82.
Fr. Aime J. Trahan
Named publicly as accused by the Edmundite order on its list 8/7/19. Allegation received in 2004 of abuse of a minor in VT in the 1950s. Trahan died 8/14/84.
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Fr. Raymond D. Walsh
Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Retired 6/98. Died 6/24/19.
Fr. Donal D. Ward
Placed on leave 5/02 after being identified as active priest with past accusations of abuse of minor. In 9/02 Attorney General referred to one priest who "groomed" a young man until he was 17 (legal age), then began a sexual relationship with him. On 9/26/02 Ward admitted in statement to a consensual sexual liaison with a young adult male. He resigned from parish but denied grooming, saying instead that the youth had been sexually active for several years before he began the relationship. Resigned and faculties revoked 10/4/02. Died 2/20/18. On the diocese's list of credibly accused 8/22/19.
Fr. Alfred Willis
Complaints from parishioners to Bishop Marshall 1978 that Willis molested their sons. Transferred twice more, accused during both assignments. Placed on leave 1980; sent to Paracletes in NM for treatment. Laicized 1985. Suit filed 2003, claiming abuse in 1970s. One suit settled 2004 for $170K. At least two suits pending 4/06. New suit 3/07. Willis previously settled with this plaintiff. Mistrial declared 6/07. New trial began 11/26/07. Another case settled 2/08 for $170K. Appealed to VT Supreme Court. New trial ordered 10/09. New suit filed Fall 2010. One case settled 1/13. Last believed to be living in VA. Suit filed in 12/18. Settled same month. Suit filed 8/19. On diocese's list 8/22/19.
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Fr. Benjamin D. Wysolmerski
Accused of abuse of at least two girls in the 1950s and 1970s. At least one claim settled for an undisclosed sum in 1997. A woman alleged he raped her in the 1960s when she was student and again in the 1970s when she was married. One plaintiff said she identified multiple other victims. Resigned 6/15/93. Faculties revoked 6/17/93. Died 10/11/94. Allegations against him mentioned at 8/08 trial against Edward Paquette and diocese. On diocese's list 8/22/19.