Clergy List of Alleged Sexual Abusers Provided by Seattle Archdiocese; Some Kitsap County Priests Included

By Robert Smith
Central Kitsap Reporter
January 15, 2016

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A list of 77 priests, brothers, deacons and sisters accused of sexually assaulting children since the early part of the last century was released today by the Archdiocese of Seattle.

The list includes clergy who served at churches and parishes in some Kitsap Peninsula and San Juan Island areas.

One of the priests accused was James Pommier, who had been assigned to the periodic ministry for the Olympic Peninsula area and served from 1979-1985 with St. Gabriel in Port Orchard.

Pommier, who is deceased, was affiliated with the Diocese of Bismarck.

According to the news release distributed by the archdiocese, the list was published as part of its “ongoing commitment to transparency and to encourage persons sexually abused by clergy or by anyone working on behalf of the church to come forward.”

Those named in the list have either served or resided in the Archdiocese of Seattle. While locations of known assignments or residences were included, the archdiocese said it does not mean to infer that allegations of abuse exist at each place.

The archdiocese said the list was compiled through a process that included an independent outside consultant and members of the Archdiocesan Review Board. The Seattle Times reported the independent investigator, a former FBI agent, was hired in early 2014.

Of the 77 individuals who have been accused or determined to be culpable, an unnamed number have admitted to the sexual abuse. The list includes 30 archdiocese and 16 religious priests, 14 religious brothers, one religious sister, two deacons and 14 priests from other dioceses, according to the Seattle Times article.

Six archdiocesan priests who served in Bremerton churches also were listed. They include: Barry Ashwell, who served at Our Lady Star of the Sea from 1971-1975; Edward Boyle, Holy Trinity from 1968-1976; Michael Hays, Holy Trinity from 1976-1980 and Our Lady Star of the Sea, 1982-1984; Dennis Kemp, Our Lady Star of the Sea, 1976-1978; James Knelleken, Holy Trinity, 1964-1968; and William Quick, Our Lady Star of the Sea, 1939-1940.

Ashwell and Hays have been “laicized,” or removed from the priesthood. Kemp currently is in “permanent prayer and penance” status, a program for priests who are known sexual abusers.

Boyle, Knelleken and Quick are deceased.

A list of 77 priests, brothers, deacons and sisters accused of sexually assaulting children since the early part of the last century was released today by the Archdiocese of Seattle.The list includes clergy who served at churches and parishes in some Kitsap Peninsula and San Juan Island areas.One of the priests accused was James Pommier, who had been assigned to the periodic ministry for the Olympic Peninsula area and served from 1979-1985 with St. Gabriel in Port Orchard.Pommier, who is deceased, was affiliated with the Diocese of Bismarck.According to the news release distributed by the archdiocese, the list was published as part of its “ongoing commitment to transparency and to encourage persons sexually abused by clergy or by anyone working on behalf of the church to come forward.”Those named in the list have either served or resided in the Archdiocese of Seattle. While locations of known assignments or residences were included, the archdiocese said it does not mean to infer that allegations of abuse exist at each place.The archdiocese said the list was compiled through a process that included an independent outside consultant and members of the Archdiocesan Review Board. The Seattle Times reported the independent investigator, a former FBI agent, was hired in early 2014.Of the 77 individuals who have been accused or determined to be culpable, an unnamed number have admitted to the sexual abuse. The list includes 30 archdiocese and 16 religious priests, 14 religious brothers, one religious sister, two deacons and 14 priests from other dioceses, according to the Seattle Times article.Six archdiocesan priests who served in Bremerton churches also were listed. They include: Barry Ashwell, who served at Our Lady Star of the Sea from 1971-1975; Edward Boyle, Holy Trinity from 1968-1976; Michael Hays, Holy Trinity from 1976-1980 and Our Lady Star of the Sea, 1982-1984; Dennis Kemp, Our Lady Star of the Sea, 1976-1978; James Knelleken, Holy Trinity, 1964-1968; and William Quick, Our Lady Star of the Sea, 1939-1940.Ashwell and Hays have been “laicized,” or removed from the priesthood. Kemp currently is in “permanent prayer and penance” status, a program for priests who are known sexual abusers.Boyle, Knelleken and Quick are deceased.

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