Diocese of La Crosse WI - BishopAccountability.org

34 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Cletus L. Abts

Ordained: 1944
Status: Accused

Died: 06/30/2001
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Added to the diocese's list 7/8/20 as the subject of a substantiated allegation. Died 6/30/01.

Assignments:

Diocese of La Crosse Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Stephen Andrel

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1936
Status: Accused

Died: 01/17/1991
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Monsignor. Named publicly as the subject of multiple substantiated allegations by the diocese on its list 4/9/20. Died 1/17/91.

Assignments:

Diocese of La Crosse Assignment Record

Sources:

Diocese of La Crosse List 12.21.20

Fr. Bruce E. Ball

Ordained: 1978
Status: Convicted

Died: 09/15/2002
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Abused in MD and WI. Investigated in 1984 by WI law enforcement, La Crosse Bishop John Paul informed. Sheriff did not charge Ball but told the bishop he should not have contact with children. Ball allegedly had made sexual comments to children and invited them to his cabin to sleepover. Reassigned to another parish, had contact with children. Pleaded no contest in 1993 to criminal charge of sexual contact with a 12-year-old boy during a therapy session. Four known victims. Sentenced to five years prison; released in 3/1996. On parole through 12/1997. Laicized at his own request as of 8/11/1997. Settlement of $100K. In 1993, the La Crosse diocese told Baltimore of two claims against Ball during the time he was a seminarian for La Crosse in Baltimore in the mid-1970s. Per the La Crosse diocese's list in 1/2020, Ball died 9/15/2002. Included on Baltimore's list of accused. Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Raymond Henry Bornbach

Ordained: 1941
Status: Sued

Died: 01/3/2006
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

A woman told the diocese in 1/03 that Bornbach molested her for over a year and a half in 1971, beginning when she was age 8. Another person complained about Bornbach in 3/01 and the fact that he still visited sick patients at a hospital in Marshfield. He allegedly would grope and kiss women in the psychiatric unit. Board substantiated the 2003 claim in 2004 and his privileges as a priest were removed. Died 1/3/06. Accuser filed a civil suit 12/31/08 against the diocese. Dismissed by court in 2/12.

Fr. J. Michael Cannon

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as accused by the Midwest Province on its list 12/17/2018. Single allegation alleged to have occurred while assigned to Campion High School in Prairie du Chien 1967-1971. Dismissed from the Jesuits 3/6/1997. Added to the La Crosse diocese's list 2/5/2020.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Eugene Comiskey

Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 08/21/1982
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 1/18/20. Multiple allegations, substantiated. Died 8/21/82.

Sources:

Fr. John J. Cullinan

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1939
Status: Accused

Died: 06/4/1974
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list in 12/2022. Multiple allegations, substantiated. Died in 1974. Per his obituary, Cullinan worked in the La Crosse diocese for 21 years. He also taught at Loyola Academy in Chicago IL, Xavier High School in Cincinnati OH, and St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland OH.

Sources:

Fr. Thomas F. Dempsey

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1955
Status: Convicted

Died: 06/3/1998
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Ordained for the Diocese of La Crosse where he worked off and on 1955-1975 (15 parishes in 15 years). Incardinated into the Boston archdiocese in 1976. Pleaded guilty in 1997 in WI to one count of indecent behavior with a boy during the 1960s. Sentenced to community service and to pay up to $6K for counseling for victims. Senior Priest/Retired status in 1989. Died in 1998. Also abused in Boston and NH. Named in at least three lawsuits. Name included on the Boston archdiocese's list in 8/2011.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. James E. Ennis

Ordained: 1950
Status: Sued

Died: 02/12/2000
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named in a 1992 civil suit with claims of sexual assault against a child. Reportedly in 1/94, the case was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Fr. Ennis remained an active priest until his death 2/12/00. Included on the diocese's list 1/18/20. It notes multiple allegations, substantiated.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Diocese of La Crosse List 01.18.20

Fr. James Patrick Finucan

Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Died: 06/12/2009
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 1/18/20. It notes one substantiated allegation. Finucan died 6/12/09. Brother of accused priest John Thomas Finucan.

Sources:

Fr. John Thomas Finucan

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 05/14/2018
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 1/18/20. It notes one substantiated allegation. Finucan died 5/14/18. Brother of accused priest James Patrick Finucan.

Sources:

Fr. Paul N. Flad

Ordained: 1942
Status: Accused

Died: 02/19/1987
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Ordained for the Diocese of La Crosse, where he worked in parishes 1942-1954, then in the Diocese of Yakima 1954-1965. Per his obituary, Flad returned to La Crosse in 1965 and retired in 1975 due to "ill health." Named publicly as the subject of multiple substantiated allegations by the diocese on its list 7/29/20. Died 2/19/87, age 70.

Assignments:

Diocese of La Crosse Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Thomas Garthwaite

Ordained: 1955
Status: Sued

Died: 04/7/2021
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Accused in 1991 of 'sexual misconduct' with a 14-year-old girl in Marshfield beginning in 1963 and lasting through 1966. Trial set for 1992. Dismissed on statute of limitations. Included on the diocese's list 1/18/20. Multiple substantiated allegations noted. Removed from ministry 1/12/04. Died in 4/21.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Thomas R. Haller

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Died: 12/20/2001
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Entered the Jesuits in 1940. Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/2018. Multiple allegations of abuse, occurring in 1950 while assigned to Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, WI and in the 1960s while assigned to Creighton Prep in Omaha. Dismissed from the Jesuits in 8/1982, laicized in 1983. Added to the La Crosse diocese's list 2/5/2020. Died 12/20/2001 in San Jose, CA.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Richard J. Herrmann

Ordained: 1944
Status: Accused

Died: 02/18/2016
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as accused by the La Crosse diocese on its list 1/18/20. Multiple allegations, substantiated. Retired in 1996. Died 2/18/16. Included in 11/22 on the Diocese of Superior's list of credibly accused.

Sources:

Fr. William Hertzenberg

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 02/16/1995
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 1/18/20. It notes multiple substantiated allegations. Hertzenberg died 2/16/95.

Sources:

Diocese of La Crosse List 01.18.20

Fr. Hugo Koehler

Ordained: 1935
Status: Accused

Died: 02/24/1989
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as the subject of a substantiated allegation by the diocese on its list 7/28/20. Died 2/24/89.

Assignments:

Diocese of La Crosse Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Thomas Edward Langer

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 08/20/2004
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 1/18/20. It notes one substantiated allegation. Langer died 8/20/04.

Sources:

Fr. J. Roger Lucey

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 04/7/2002
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/2018. Multiple allegations of abuse, occurring while assigned to Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, WI 1962-1963, and while in a Jesuit community in St. Paul, MN, 1970-1972. Took Sabbatical in 1984 in Berkeley, CA. Remained in CA, assigned to numerous parishes in the Oakland diocese. Died in Richmond, CA 4/7/2002. Added to the La Crosse diocese's list 2/5/2020.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. James E. Mason

Ordained: 1967
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Accused in 2000 by a man of making sexual advances toward him when he was junior in high school and at University. The diocese did not tell him that Mason had been found guilty in 1981 of sexually assaulting a student and had been placed on probation for 18 months. Absent on sick leave 1987-1992 per the Catholic Directory; "On duty outside the diocese" 1993-2003. Believed to be drug abuse counselor in WI. Laicized 1/19/04. Included on the diocese's list 1/18/20, with multiple substantiated allegations.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Garland J. Muller

Ordained: 1938
Status: Accused

Died: 10/7/1978
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 1/18/20. Noted to have Multiple substantiated allegations against him. Died 10/7/78.

Sources:

Fr. James V. O’Connor

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 05/29/1981
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/2018. Joined the order in 1946. One allegation of abuse reported after his death, occurring while assigned to Campion High School in Prairie du Chien 1968-1971. O'Connor died 5/29/1981. Added to the La Crosse diocese's list 2/5/2020.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Mark R. Pierce

Ordained: 1981
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Monsignor. Pastor of St. Michael and Resurrection Parishes (East Side Parishes) when placed on leave due to an allegation of 'sexual misconduct' with a minor, occurring decades prior. Resigned. Pierce admitted to the misconduct.

Sources:

Fr. Charles L. Rasmussen

Ordained: 1977
Status: Accused

Died: 09/18/2011
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 1/18/20. Noted to have multiple substantiated allegations against him. Ordained at age 35. Appears to have left active ministry in 1983. Settled in NM. Died 9/18/11.

Sources:

Fr. Charlie Richmond

Ordained: 2015
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Criminally charged in 6/15/20 with repeated sexual assault of a girl. In 3/20 his victim told police that between 9/16 and 5/17 Richmond would inappropriately touch her, have her sit on his lap and hug her, and was in constant communication via social media. The incidents occurred at McDonell Area Catholic High School, where Richmond was chaplain. He admitted to three to four incidents of sexual contact. Removed from public ministry. Pleaded no contest in 11//21 and, in a plea deal, found guilty of fourth-degree sexual assault. Sentenced in 12/21 to 12 months probation.

Sources:

Fr. John M. Scott

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1944
Status: Accused

Died: 12/27/2007
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province in 1/2022. Noted to have a single allegation against him of the sexual abuse of a minor, occurring in 1969 at Campion High School in Prairie du Chien. Scott died 12/27/2007. Included on the La Crosse diocese's list of those with substantiated allegations against them. Included in 10/2021 on the Omaha archdiocese's list.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Albert Sonnberger

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 1/18/20. It notes one substantiated allegation, and inactive ministry as of 11/20/18.

Sources:

Diocese of La Crosse List 01.18.20

Fr. Joseph R. Sullivan

Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly by the diocese on its list 4/15/20 as the subject of a single substantiated allegation. Laicized in 1972.

Assignments:

Diocese of La Crosse Assignment Record

Sources:

Diocese of La Crosse List 12.21.20

Fr. Timothy E. Svea

Order: IC
Ordained: 1992
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

U.S. Superior of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. Bishop Burke brought Svea and his group to La Crosse to run a parish. Suspended in 3/2001. Pleaded guilty in 2/2002 to exposing himself to and molesting teenage boys, beginning in 1998. Sentenced to 1.5 years jail and 20 years probation. Last known to be living in Marathon County, WI. On WI Sex Offender Registry 2/5/2012. Included on the La Crosse diocese's list 1/18/20, with multiple substantiated allegations. Included in 11/2022 on the Diocese of Superior's list of credibly accused. Noted to be incarcerated. Criminally charged 12/22/2022 with child pornography possession, found by a computer repair technician. He reportedly had been living in Mosinee under active supervision. Sentenced in 3/2023 to three years in prison.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. David Szatkowski

Order: SCJ
Ordained: 2002
Status: Charges Dropped

Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Assistant Professor at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Milwaukee. Accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl who was with friends outside a hotel in LaCrosse where he was attending a canon law conference. One of the girl's friends took a picture of him after he grabbed the girl's breast. Admitted to having a few drinks but denied the assault. Arrested 8/9/11. Resigned from Seminary after arrest. Charges reduced in 9/11 and dropped in 12/11. Order was still investigating. Also spent time in Houston TX. Per the Diocese of Jackson MS website in 2/21, Szatkowski was a Pastoral Team Moderator for six parishes in the diocese.

Sources:

Fr. Patrick A. Umberger

Ordained: 1980
Status: Arrested

Died: 11/30/2010
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Arrested 7/13/10 for possession of child pornography. Assigned to St. Patrick's Parish in Onalaska, WI, and taught at parish school. Served as diocese's webmaster. In 2009 he was caught following young boys into restroom at a water park. Park revoked his annual pass and local police reported him to Onalaska police, who told State Justice Department. Admitted attraction to boys in early teens. Worked in Milwaukee. Pleaded not guilty 7/28/10. Resigned from parish 7/29/10. Died of cancer 11/30/10. Included in 1/20 on the diocese's list of those with substantiated allegations against them.

Fr. Raymond J. Wagner

Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 10/14/2009
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 1/18/20. Noted to have multiple substantiated allegations against him. Died 10/14/09.

Sources:

Fr. Bogdan Werra

Ordained: 1981
Status: Accused

Died: 09/9/2017
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

From Poland, where he was ordained for the Diocese of Chelmno. Arrived in the U.S. in 1984 or 1986. Sexually abused a teenaged altar boy in Poland; arranged for the boy to move to the U.S. to study for the priesthood, where the abuse continued. Treated for alcoholism at Guest House in Rochester, MN at some point and in 1994 was sent to St. Michael's Institute in St. Louis MO due to alcoholism and sexual misconduct with a seminarian. Also, there were concerns about his misuse of funds. Suspended from the LaCrosse diocese 11/14/1994; worked as a chaplain at a medical facility in Chicago for a short time, then went to Kalamazoo. Incardinated into the Kalamazoo diocese 12/20/2000 by Bishop Murray, despite warnings that Werra was "high risk." Accused in 2004 of embezzling over $240K from two parishes; convicted 3/10/2005. Sentenced to 300 days in jail and 5 years probation. Was allowed to minister on work release, then assigned to a parish. Later deported. Died in the U.K. in 9/2017, where he had been assigned in the Archdiocese of Cardiff at a Grangetown parish and as a Polish Mission priest in South Wales. Named publicly as accused by the La Crosse diocese on its list 1/18/2020, which notes one substantiated allegation of child sexual abuse. Included in the MI Attorney General's 5/22/2024 Kalamazoo report.

Sources:

Fr. Carl A. Wohlmuth

Ordained: 1943
Status: Accused

Died: 03/2/1991
Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse WI

Named publicly as the subject of a substantiated allegation by the diocese on its list 7/8/20. Died 3/2/91.

Assignments:

Marshfield News-Herald Obituary 03.05.91
Diocese of La Crosse Assignment Record

Sources:

Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.