List of Evansville Diocese Priests Accused Includes One in Active Ministry until 3 Days Ago

By Abbey Doyle
Courier & Press
February 22, 2019

https://www.courierpress.com/story/news/local/2019/02/22/evansville-diocese-releases-list-allegations-abuse-priests/2950109002/

One of the 12 men on a list of "credible" allegations of abuse by clergy in the Diocese of Evansville was still active in public ministry until Feb. 19: three days before the list was released to the public.

Jean Vogler was arrested in 1996 in a massive child pornography ring, according to Courier & Press archives. The federal sting nabbed 130 people across 36 states.

Vogler pleaded guilty to receiving pornographic tapes in the mail. He spent about a year in federal prison and underwent psychiatric treatment when he got out.

He was reinstated to the ministry in 1999. At the time, then-Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger told the Courier that Vogler’s case didn’t fall under a zero-tolerance policy because receiving child pornography didn't constitute direct abuse of a child.

Evansville Diocese spokesman Tim Lilley, when asked about Vogler's reinstatement even after a federal conviction of possession of child pornography, said Friday "the U.S. Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People did not exist at that time. Following its issuance and subsequent revisions, the Charter recognizes the receipt, possession or distribution of child pornography as constituting sexual abuse of a minor. Keep in mind that, when reinstated, Father Vogler had completed his sentence and been released.

"Since the time of Father Vogler's conviction, the Church has recognized the tragic availability of child pornography and clarified that child pornography is a form of child sexual abuse, and that a cleric who acquires, possesses or distributes that material is not to be in public ministry; and if that offense occurs from 2010 forward, it may lead to dismissal from the clerical state (laicization) as a penalty," Lilley continued in his emailed response to questions from the C&P.

Lilley said Vogler was recently removed from public ministry after a more recent study by the Review Board.

"The bishop determined that Father Vogler is not to be in public ministry," Lilley wrote in the emailed response. "Bishop (Joseph) Siegel made the decision to remove Father Vogler from public ministry on Feb. 19 after the diocese consulted with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection and, as I mentioned, the Diocesan Review Board."

Post-conviction, Vogler lived next to Memorial High School, at Villa Maria on Lincoln Avenue.

When Vogler was still in active ministry, he "celebrated Masses on weekends when pastors had to be away from their parishes," Lilley said.

In September, the diocese promised to release the names of priests "credibly" accused of sexually abusing a minor.

In a release to media Friday, the Diocese said they compiled the names previously published in The Message, a newspaper of the Diocese. They also contacted a private investigator to review records dating to its founding in 1944 beginning in early October and ending in mid-December.

In December 2003, the diocese said allegations had been brought against 15 priests. This list names 12.

The following list of clergy is based on the review of records and the recommendations of current and previous Diocesan Review Board members, according to the release.

"A credible claim is one for which, following a review of information, the Review Board determined as believable and plausible, and the Bishop accepted as credible; or the priest admitted to or acknowledged," according to the release.

The Diocese said every allegation of child abuse must be reported to Child Protective Services, and local law enforcement may also be contacted. If there's an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by any diocesan personnel, the allegations can be reported to the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the diocese at 866-200-3004 or 812-490-9565.

"These diocesan priests have allegations determined to be credible of at least one act of sexual abuse of a minor or person who habitually has only the imperfect use of reason, which the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People considers equivalent to a minor:"

Michael Allen

John Breidenbach

Joseph Clauss

James Clements

Wilfred Englert

Mark Kurzendoerfer

Arthur Mergen

Othmar Schroeder

Richard Wildeman

Jean Vogler

Warren Heitz, O.S.B.

Robert Woerdeman, O.S.B.

Here are additional details:

Michael Allen, born in 1944

Date of priestly ordination: June 5, 1971

Number of credible allegations: 1

Admitted Action taken: Not in public ministry, July 2002

Places Served: Associate Pastor, Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Haubstadt, June 29, 1971; Summer Ministry Program Director, Dec. 6, 1972; Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Princeton, June 14, 1974; Associate Pastor, St. John the Baptist Church, Vincennes, Aug. 21, 1975; Teacher, Rivet High School, Vincennes, Aug. 21, 1975; Administrator, St. Patrick, Corning, Jan. 13, 1976; Administrator, All Saints, Cannelburg, Jan. 13, 1976; Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, Aug. 1, 1979; Associate Pastor, St. Simon Church, Washington, July 29, 1980; Pastor, St. Mary Church, Washington, Aug. 10, 1981; Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, Aug. 3, 1982; Military service, Assigned outside the diocese, Sept. 21, 1984; Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, June 5, 1995; Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Evansville, March 3, 1999; Pastor, St. Theresa Church, Evansville, March 3, 1999; Pastor, St. Celestine Church, Celestine, June 27, 2001; Not in public ministry, July 2002

John Breidenbach, born in 1959

Date of priestly ordination: Aug. 21, 1987

Number of credible allegations: 1

This diocesan priest admitted and self-disclosed sexual abuse of minors that occurred prior to his ordination as a deacon.

Action taken: Not in public ministry, March 14, 2014

Places served: Associate Pastor, St. John the Baptist Church, Vincennes, Sept. 4, 1987; Associate Pastor, Holy Family Church, Jasper, June 27, 1990; Diocesan Vocation Team, Feb. 26, 1992; Associate Pastor, Resurrection Church, Evansville, Sept. 23, 1992; Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Evansville, Aug. 11, 1993; Pastor, Corpus Christi Church, Evansville, Nov. 10, 1993; Sacramental Minister, Holy Trinity Church, Evansville, Nov. 11, 1998; Associate Pastor, Holy Rosary Church, Evansville, Aug. 18, 1999, with residence at Villa Maria on Lincoln Avenue next to Memorial High School; Associate Pastor, St. John Church, Newburgh, June 18, 2003; Pastor, Precious Blood Church, Jasper, June 9, 2004; Sacramental Minister, St. Mary Church, Ireland, Jan. 27, 2010; Sacramental Minister, Resurrection Church, Evansville, May 28, 2010; Sacramental Minister, St. Theresa Church, Evansville, Sept. 8, 2010; Not in public ministry, March 14, 2014

Joseph Clauss, born 1930, died Oct. 11, 2003

Date of priestly ordination: May 26, 1956

Number of credible allegations: 10; admitted to at least one allegation

Action taken: Removed from public ministry, July 6, 1992

Places Served: Associate Pastor, St. Mary Church, Washington, June 8, 1956; Associate Pastor, Holy Spirit Church, Evansville, Aug. 18, 1959; Teacher, Memorial High School, Evansville, Aug. 18, 1959; Residence at St. Joseph Church, Vanderburgh County, Aug. 21, 1964; Residence at St. Boniface Church, Evansville, Aug. 13, 1965; Residence at Good Shepherd Church, Evansville, Feb. 19, 1966; Pastor, St. Patrick Church, Corning, Aug. 18, 1966; Superintendent, St. John High School, Loogootee, Aug. 25, 1967; Pastor, St. Mary – Barr Township; also St. Michael Mission, Aug. 25, 1967; Superintendent, Washington Catholic High School, June 6, 1969; Administrator, St. Patrick, Corning, June 27, 1969; Pastor, Resurrection Church, Evansville, June 3, 1975; Pastor, St. Peter Church, Montgomery; also St. Patrick and St. Michael Missions, Nov. 3, 1986; Administrative Leave, Dec. 29, 1990; Removed from public ministry, July 6.

James Clements, born 1928, died Dec. 21, 1996

Date of priestly ordination: June 12, 1954

Number of credible allegations: 1; admitted

Action taken: Dispensed from the clerical state, April 18, 1977

Places served: Associate Pastor, St. Wendel Church, St. Wendel, August 20, 1954; Associate Pastor, Sacred Heart Church, Vincennes, July 29, 1955; Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Evansville, Aug. 18, 1959; Associate Pastor, St. Mary Church, Washington, Aug. 17, 1962; Pastor, Blessed Sacrament Church, Oakland City, May 29, 1964; Associate Pastor, Good Shepherd Church, July 13, 1972; Medical leave, April 18, 1974; Dispensed from the clerical state, April 18, 1977

Wilfred Englert, born 1952

Date of priestly ordination: May 9, 1986

Number of credible allegations: 1; admitted

Action taken: Removed from public ministry, July 26, 2005, convicted of sexual battery, Oct. 3, 2006; served prison sentence; released from incarceration, Jan. 15, 2008; dispensed from the clerical state, Oct. 1, 2009

Places Served: Associate Pastor, St. John the Baptist, Vincennes, June 20, 1986; Associate Pastor, Holy Family Church, Jasper, July 14, 1987; Associate Pastor, St. John Church, Newburgh, June 27, 1990; Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Evansville, Nov. 10, 1993; Associate Pastor, Holy Rosary Church, Evansville, Nov. 1, 1999; Associate Pastor, St. Agnes Church, Evansville, April 6, 2000; Pastor, St. Raphael Church, June 21, 2000; Administrator, St. Celestine Church, Aug. 28, 2002; Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, Jan. 28, 2004; Removed from public ministry, July 26, 2005

Mark Kurzendoerfer, born 1955

Date of priestly ordination: May 8, 1981

Number of credible allegations: 4; admitted to two allegations

Action taken: Removed from public ministry, July 2, 2002; dispensed from the clerical state, Nov. 1, 2009

Places Served: Administrator, St. Mary Church, Sullivan, June 1, 1981; Associate Pastor, St. Simon Church, Washington, July 1, 1981; Teacher, Washington Catholic, Washington, July 1, 1981; Residence, Faculty House on Lincoln Ave., Evansville, June 11, 1984; Teacher, Mater Dei High School, Evansville, June 11, 1984; Administrator, Holy Angels Church, New Harmony, July 1, 1986; Diocesan Vocation Board, Dec. 10, 1989; Diocesan Vocation Team, Feb. 26, 1992; Sacramental Minister, St. Thomas Church, Vincennes, Oct. 1, 1995; Associate Pastor, Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Haubstadt, and assisting at St. Joseph, Princeton, Blessed Sacrament, Oakland City, July 16, 1999; Removed from public ministry, July 2, 2002

Arthur Mergen, born 1941, died Dec. 14, 1994

Date of priestly ordination: June 4, 1976

Number of credible allegations: 2

Action taken: In 1988, left the Diocese of Evansville without the Bishop’s permission

Places served: Associate Pastor, Sacred Heart Church, Vincennes, June 24, 1976; Associate Pastor, St. John the Baptist Church, Vincennes, July 1, 1977; Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, July 1, 1981; Pastor, St. Peter Church, Montgomery; Administrator, St. Michael’s, Daviess County, Sept. 1, 1981; Administrator, St. Patrick, Corning, July 1, 1984; Pastor, Holy Cross Church, Fort Branch, July 1, 1986; Pastor, St. Mary Church, Washington, June 16, 1988; Relieved of duties on Aug. 17, 1988 and took up residence at St. Francis Xavier, Vincennes; In 1988, left the Diocese of Evansville without the Bishop’s permission

Othmar Schroeder, born 1914, died Feb. 16, 1988

Date of priestly ordination: June 7, 1938, for the Diocese of Indianapolis

Number of credible allegations: 18

Action taken: Priest deceased on February 16, 1988, before abuse was reported

Places served: Associate Pastor, St. Lawrence Church, Lawrenceburg , Sept. 3, 1938; Associate Pastor, St. Clement Church, Boonville, June 12, 1940; Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, June 18, 1942; Incardinated into the Diocese of Evansville upon its establishment, 1944; Ministry to Boy Scouts, 1940s-1960s; Pastor, Holy Family Church, Jasper, May 29, 1947; Committee on Discipline, Magister Noster School, Evansville, Aug. 23, 1965; Pastor, Sacred Heart Church, Schnellville, June 17, 1975;

Richard Wildeman, born in 1951

Date of priestly ordination: May 13, 1977

Number of credible allegations: 1; admitted

Action taken: Left active ministry, May 28, 2002; dispensed from the clerical state, Aug. 17, 2007

Places served: Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, June 15, 1977; Associate Pastor, St. John Church, Newburgh, September 1, 1977; Associate Pastor, St. Matthew Church, Mt. Vernon, July 6, 1979; Chaplain, Boy Scouts, Aug. 22, 1979; Residence, Faculty House on Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, June 1, 1980; Diocesan Director, Youth Ministry, June 1, 1980; Weekend assistance, Corpus Christi Church, Evansville, June 1, 1980; Weekend assistance, St. Clement Church, Boonville, Aug. 10, 1981; Associate Pastor, Holy Family Church, Jasper, Aug. 3, 1982; Pastor, St. Mary Church, Sullivan, June 1, 1987; Administrator, St. Joan of Arc Church, Jasonville, June 1, 1987; Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Vanderburgh County, July 10, 1991; Granted permission for ministry in Haiti, June 1, 2000; Left active ministry, May 28,

Jean Vogler, born in 1945

Date of priestly ordination: Feb. 28, 1970

Action taken: This priest was charged and convicted in 1996 in the U.S. District Court for Southern Indiana of Receiving Child Pornography and sentenced to 366 days in federal prison. The priest was reinstated to active ministry in 1999 and retired on Sept. 2, 2011. Not in public ministry as of Feb. 19, 2019

Places served: Associate Pastor, St. Theresa Church, Evansville, Aug. 22, 1970; Associate Pastor, Christ the King Church, Evansville, Aug. 1, 1972; Teacher, Reitz Memorial High School, Evansville, Sept. 1, 1975; Weekend Assistance, St. James Church, Haubstadt, Sept. 1, 1975; Pastor, Holy Redeemer Church, Evansville, July 15, 1980; Pastor, St. Mary Church, Sullivan, July 18, 1986; Administrator, St. Joan of Arc Church, Jasonville, July 18, 1986; Pastor, St. Boniface Church, Evansville, June 1, 1987; Pastor, Holy Rosary Church, Evansville, June 27, 1990; Residence at Villa Maria on Lincoln Avenue next to Memorial High School, 1998; Appointed as chaplain of St. Mary’s Medical Center, Evansville, June 3, 1998 (appointment withdrawn before it became effective); Associate Pastor, Holy Trinity Church, Evansville, April 28, 1999; Residence at Villa Maria on Lincoln Avenue next to Memorial High School, Sept. 2004; Sacramental Minister, St. Joseph Church, Evansville, Sept. 5, 2007; Retired Sept. 2, 2011; Not in public ministry, Feb. 19, 2019

These religious order priests that performed ministry in the Diocese of Evansville have allegations determined to be credible of at least one act of sexual abuse of a minor that occurred when the priests were serving in the Diocese of Evansville:

Warren Heitz, O.S. B., born 1940

Date of priestly ordination: May 1, 1966

Religious order: Benedictine monk, O.S.B.

Number of credible allegations: 2. One allegation first reported to St. Meinrad Archabbey; allegations determined credible by the St. Meinrad Archabbey Review Board

Action taken: St. Meinrad Archabbey has informed the diocese that this priest was removed from public ministry in 2002

Places served in the Diocese of Evansville: Associate Pastor, St. Mary Church, Huntingburg, Jan. 10, 1973; Associate Pastor, St. Benedict Church, Evansville, Aug. 23, 1977; Administrator, St. John Chrysostom Church, New Boston, July 8, 1987; St. Meinrad Archabbey has informed the diocese that this priest was removed from public ministry in

Robert Woerdeman, O.S.B., born 1928 died in 2005

Date of priestly ordination: May 3, 1954

Religious order: Benedictine monk, O.S.B.

Number of credible allegations: 1. Allegation first reported to St. Meinrad Archabbey; determined credible by the St. Meinrad Archabbey Review Board

Action taken: St. Meinrad Archabbey has informed the diocese that this priest was dispensed from his vows and laicized in 1975 and died in 2005

Places served in the Diocese of Evansville: St. Benedict Church, Evansville, August 1960; St. Meinrad Archabbey has informed the diocese that this priest was dispensed from his vows and laicized in 1975 and died in 2005.