37 Accused in This Religious Order
- The Advocate 01.08.03
- Corpus Christi Caller Times 04.17.03
- SATURDAY State-Times/Morning Advocate 04.26.03
- The Advocate 08.12.03
- Saturday State Times/Morning Advocate 07.31.04
- The Advocate 12.20.05
- The Advocate (Louisiana) 04.08.06
- The Advocate 08.01.06
- KATC 08.11.06
- The Advocate 08.11.06
- The Advocate 09.20.06
- The Advocate 10.27.06
- The Advocate 11.22.06
- The Advocate 12.28.06
- The Advocate 08.18.09
- The Advocate 05.16.10
- The Advocate 08.01.10
- SNAP Statement 06.08.11
- Times-Picayune 06.08.11
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston List 01.31.19
- Diocese of Corpus Christi List 01.31.19
- Diocese of Baton Rouge List 03.27.19
- The Advocate 06.27.19
- Archdiocese of New Orleans Revised List 12.08.20
- The Advocate 09.21.24
- Find a Grave 03.11.03
- Bishop Accountability Statement 12.05.13
- Minnesota Public Radio 12.05.13
- St. Paul & Minneapolis List of Credibly Accused Priests released 12.05.13
- Catholic Spirit 12.05.13
- National Catholic Reporter 12.05.13
- Star Tribune 12.05.13
- Star Tribune 12.06.13
- Jeff Anderson & Associates 11.05.14
Fr. Donald Bolton
Parents from St. Gregory Thaumaturgus parish in the town of North East PA complained to the D.A. that Bolton had molested their daughter for two years. The Redemptorists had promised that he would not work with children but the parents learned he was teaching at a school in NY. Bolton was charged in 11/1986 with one count each of indecent assault and corruption of minors. He pleaded guilty and received three years probation in 2/1987. Bolton had been transferred from St. Gregory's to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Brooklyn NY, which maintained a grammar school and a high school, and then in 1987 to do promotional work at Holy Family Retreat House in Hampton VA. Bolton agreed to enter a treatment program. Police knew of other victims but stated that the statute of limitations had run. Also worked in Brazil and in other U.S. dioceses including New York, Buffalo, Rochester, Brooklyn and Albany NY, Orlando FL, and Richmond VA. He died 10/27/2006.
Fr. Edward Boyle
In a suit filed in 2002 a woman alleged she was molested by Boyle in 1967 at age 17. Reportedly, her mother reported the incident to another priest in the diocese. Boyle was later transferred to Reno and then to Hawaii. He died in 1998. The woman said she reported the abuse to the Sacramento diocese in 4/2002. Boyle's name is included on the Sacramento diocese's list 4/30/2019.
Fr. Frederick C. Brinkmann
Name included on the 9/26/2002 list of priests affiliated with Archdiocese of Baltimore who were accused of child sexual abuse. In 1996 a man reported sexual abuse at age 16 by Brinkmann 1976-1977. The Archdiocese told the Redemptorists. Brinkmann was assigned to St. Michael's in Baltimore 1977-1978. Per his accuser, Brinkmann paid special attention to him and bought him alcohol and marijuana. This was after his father left the family and they were destitute. Brinkmann allegedly orally raped the boy on one occasion in St. Michael's rectory. Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.
Fr. Lawrence Buckley
Worked early in his priesthood in Puerto Rico, in 1955-72 in the Virgin Islands, and then in Boston for the over 30 years, per his obituary. He died 10/11/08. Accused in a lawsuit that settled in 2020 for $85K of sexually abusing an altar boy at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Roxbury, beginning when the boy was age 7 in 1987. The abuse allegedly continued for four years. Buckley's accuser came forward to the archdiocese in 2019.
Fr. Gerard Bugge
Also known as Gerard Serafin. Attended seminary in Esopus NY. Assigned to parishes in Baltimore and Annapolis MD, Washington DC and Lancaster PA. Named by the Baltimore archdiocese on its 09/2002 list of accused. Admitted in 1985 to inappropriate sexual activities with a minor. He had picked up a teenage boy who was hitchhiking, sexually abused the boy, then was pulled over by police. He was arrested for driving drunk; convicted for that, but child sex abuse charges were dropped. Faculties were removed after the allegations were reported to his Order. Died in 11/2004. Report in 2018 to the Archdiocese that Bugge raped a boy, about age 8 in 1975. The alleged victim said that Bugge was his Sunday school teacher and that the priest took him out of class and raped him in a closet. He also allegedly told the boy he would go to hell if he told. Bugge's name is on Harrisburg diocese's list 8/1/2018, no known allegations there. Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.
Fr. Vincent Cao
Also known as Vincent Cao Dang Minh or Vincent Dan Minh Cao. arrived in Portland OR from Vietnam in 1972 to pursue a master's degree. He soon began helping the Archdiocese with the Asian community and became very well known. In 3/2001 allegations were made that he had raped a woman in 1983 and molested two young girls in the 1980s. The Order sent him for treatment and later to Redemptorist residences in Chicago IL, then Oakland CA. His priestly functions were permanently removed. Said in 1/2023 to be living at a Redemptorist care facility for the elderly and infirm in MO. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.
Fr. Eugene Daigle
Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Richmond in 6/20. Subject of child sexual abuse allegations, occurring in the late 1970s while assigned to St. Mary Star of the Sea in Fort Monroe. Reportedly in 6/20 is no longer in active ministry.
Fr. Francis X. Darmady
Named publicly as credibly accused by the Fresno diocese on its list in 2021. Noted to have been assigned to St. Alphonsus in Fresno 1936-1938. He died 3/27/1955 in his native St. Louis. (His name on Fresno list misspelled "Darmaddy.")
Fr. Michael Son Trong Doan
Alleged to have abused a minor 1999. The 2002 Catholic Directory lists this priest's name as Doan Trong Son (with Son as last name) and shows him assigned to the Vietnamese Redemptorist Mission, but does not show that he is a member of the Redemptorist Order.
Sources:
Fr. Francis Leo Dowd
Accused in a 12/03 civil suit of abuse of a girl 1963-64. Not indexed in the Official Catholic Directory after 1982. Deceased.
Assignments:
Sources:
Fr. Joseph H. Driscoll
Navy chaplain, assistant in SC, Washington DC, PA and MA. Pastored in SC, FL, GA and NY. Died 4/13/76 in New Smyrna Beach, FL, Name included on Harrisburg diocese's list released 8/1/18. Accused after his death of having sexually abused a child.
Fr. Leo Francis Dunn
Missionary in Brazil for 16 years. Assigned in 1961 to St. Joseph's in Rochester. In 1970 began retreat work in PA, then in Canandaigua NY in 1981. Returned in 1987 to St. Joseph's, then back to Canandaigua at some point. Lived at St. John Neumann Residence in Saratoga Springs 2004-2009. Died 6/19/09, age 92. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/19 under the NY Child Victims Act of child sexual abuse, occurring at St. Joseph's in Rochester.
Fr. Gilbert Enderle
Taught in the U.S. and in Nigeria for decades. Assigned 2005-2013 to the Redemptorist Worldwide Headquarters in Rome, Italy as an author and editor. Involved with Worldwide Marriage Encounter. Assigned for almost ten years, until 3/2024, to St. Alphonsus in New Orleans. Reportedly in 8/2024, Enderle was accused in a 2002 lawsuit of sexually abusing a boy over 20 years prior, while principal of a Redemptorist high school north of New Orleans. The boy was a student. The allegation against the boy came to light after a woman reported to the police in 3/2024 recent sexual assault against her by the priest. She also told the Archdiocese, which told her in late 4/2024 that Enderle had been transferred to a Redemptorist community and assisted living facility in Liguori, MO. Parishioners in New Orleans were not informed of the allegations nor of his transfer to St. Louis. Enderle denied all allegations.
Sources:
Fr. William Geiger
Suit filed by three men 5/1/2003 against the diocese alleging they were sexually abused as children in the 1970s by Geiger and another Redemptorist priest, at a Lima OH parish. The boys were ages 6-10 at time of alleged abuse. The identity of the second priest is not specified due to confusion as to his identity. When the suit was filed, Geiger was working near Charlotte NC, according to a Redemptorist source; the 2002 Directory shows him assigned to a Pennsylvania church in the Harrisburg diocese. St. James the Greater in Concord NC is a Redemptorist parish near Charlotte to the NE. The suit was settled in 2004. Geiger died 6/17/2007. Geiger's name was included on the Harrisburg diocese's 8/1/2018 list; no known allegations in that diocese.
Fr. Marshall T. Gherman
Named publicly as accused by the San Antonio archdiocese on its list 6/19/19. Worked in the archdiocese 1940-46, 1952, and 1954-57. Died in 1959. In 2004 two people alleged abuse by Gherman as children in the 1950s. One of them said she knew of three other victims.
Fr. Raymond C. Kalter
Accused in 2005 of abuse in 1959 at St. Alphonsus Parish in Davenport. Died in 1977. One claim settled by the Diocese in 2/2006 as part of a settlement involving four priests. Name appeared on the Diocese's 7/10/2008 list of credibly accused, noting allegations of abuse of three boys. Earliest claimed abuse was in the 1950s. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.
Assignments:
Sources:
Fr. John Kennington
Worked in Brazil 18 years, then Baltimore, Washington DC and New York. May have been at an Opa Locka FL parish 1993-94 as Fr. John 'Kenning', C.Ss.R. In 1989 a teenage girl told her mother Kennington sexually abused her and her younger brother 1984-87, beginning when the girl was 11 and the boy was 8. Kennington was a close family friend who stepped in to help the mother after a divorce, including with childcare. They attended the Manhattan parish where he was assigned. The brother filed suit in 1993, settled in 2001. The sister could not sue, due to NY statute of limitations. Kennington was sent around 1995 to Order's monastery in Esopus, NY, assigned to archive Shroud of Turin research. He was honored in 2009 on the 50th anniversary of his ordination. Living in Brooklyn by 2010. Still active in 2016. Named in new lawsuit 2/19.
Fr. Paul Knapp
Knapp's name appeared on Baltimore's 9/2002 list of priests, religious priests and brothers accused of sexual misconduct. The Archdiocese learned from the Redemptorists in early 1993 that an individual alleged sexual abuse by Knapp about 20 years prior. Knapp was associate pastor at St. Mary in Annapolis 1973 -1981. Assigned 1981-1983 to a parish in the Toledo diocese and to a Saratoga Springs NY parish 1983-1993. He left the priesthood in 1995 and was laicized in 2006. Added to the Toledo diocese's list in 2019. Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report. It notes that the 1993 allegation was that Knapp sexually abused a girl, age 13, in 1975, and that other girls were also abused. Removed in 5/1993 from his Saratoga Springs NY parish after allegations of sexual misconduct with two women. Sent to his order in MD and was to undergo treatment. Alleged in 4/2002 to have sexually a teenage girl in the late 1970s during a service project trip with high-schoolers.
Fr. Cornelius P. Leehan
Full name Cornelius Patrick or Pedraig Leehan. Accused in a 12/03 lawsuit of raping a 5-year-old boy at St. Alphonsus Liguori in San Leandro in the late 1950s-early 1960s. Also allegedly fondled the boy 7 years later, after he was reassigned to the parish. Leehan's accuser said he told his father and that his father, a friend of Leehan, told him to tell no one and to never speak about a priest that way. Leehan died in 1996. On the Oakland diocese's list in 2019. Included in 8/21 on the Diocese of Fresno's list of credibly accused, where he was assigned 1951-54.
Br. Charles Loofborough
Accused of abuse between 1978-1981. Named in a 2003 lawsuit by one accuser. The Los Angeles archdiocese's list in 12/2021 notes that Loofborough was in the "lay state."
Fr. William A. Miller
First named publicly as accused on the New Orleans archdiocese's list 11/2/2018. Allegation received in 1946 of abuse in the late 1940s. Died in 1972.
Fr. Vincent L. Molthen
Accused of abuse of a minor 1961-1962, per the 2004 Los Angeles Archdiocesan Report. Died 5/22/1995.
Assignments:
Sources:
Fr. Jerome A. Moody
Named publicly as accused by the Baltimore archdiocese on its list 4/24/2019. Baltimore City Police informed the archdiocese in 2002 of allegations of abuse of several people. The Archdiocese informed the Redemptorists. Another allegation was reported in 2005 of abuse in the 1970s. Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report. Per the report, the 2005 allegation was of abuse in 1975 of a boy, age 14, continuing for three years. The victim said Moody would have boys in the parish youth group sleep over in the rectory, one at a time. Moody died in 2006.
Fr. John G. Murray
Named publicly as accused by the Rockville Centre diocese on its list in 3/21, noting he was assigned in the diocese 1964-66 and that the abuse allegedly occurred at a private house in Point Lookout. He was assigned to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Point Lookout 9/64-/9/65.
Assignments:
Sources:
Fr. Henry J. O’Toole
Assigned 1962-1983 in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Accused in 3/1992 of sexually abusing a girl, age 12 or 13, in the early 1970s at Our Lady of Fatima in East Baltimore. The Archdiocese informed the Redemptorists in 10/93. Name appears on Baltimore Diocese's 9/2002 list of accused religious priests and brothers. Shown in the Venice diocese per 1988 Catholic Directory, in Miami per 1990 edition, and in Orlando per 1995 and 2002 editions. Died in 2003. Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report, which shows O'Toole also spent time in Toledo OH and Richmond VA.
Fr. Joseph F. Pellettieri
Pellettieri (also spelled Pelletieri) was suspended by the Order and by the New Orleans Archdiocese in 4/2002 after an allegation that he sexually abused a minor in 1967. The abuse allegedly occurred when Pellettieri was teacher and principal at Notre Dame High School in Crowley, LA. At the time of his suspension Pellettieri was in charge of Ave Maria Retreat House. He also worked in Wisconsin, Baton Rouge and Alexandria. Sued in 3/2003. Dismissed. In 12/2008 an appeals court upheld dismissal of the suit due to the statute of limitations. Included on the New Orleans archdiocese's list 11/2/2018. Died in 2018. On the Baton Rouge diocese's list in early 2019.
Sources:
Br. Thomas Rochacewicz
Professed final vows in 1968. Worked in CT, MD NY, NJ, FL, DC. Per Baltimore archdiocesan files, where he was assigned 1975 -1986, in 1987 a woman reported that Rochacewicz sexually abused her when she was age 14 in the early 1980s. The archdiocese informed the Redemptorists. By 2010 at least 10 women had come forward, alleging sexual abuse as children by Rochacewicz from 1968 to the mid-1980s. One said he abused her 1973-1980, when she was in kindergarten through 6th grade; her attorney later said the abuse included rape. She received a $90K settlement. Name included on the Baltimore archdiocese's 9/2002 list of accused religious priests and brothers. Died 5/10/2015 at St. John Neumann Residence/Stella Maris in Timonium, MD. Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.
Fr. Patrick Sheridan
Accused in a lawsuit filed in 2020 under the NY Child Victims Act. Spent many years as a priest in Brazil. Per the Official Catholic Directory, Sheridan was assigned 1972-81 to St. Mary's in Buffalo (Broadway and Pine St.), where he was Rector 1975-81. Died 5/28/92.
Sources:
Fr. Anthony P. Slane
Named in a lawsuit as having abused at St. Alphonsus Ligorui in San Leandro, CA. Also worked in the Seattle archdiocese, including 1981-1988 at Our Lady of Good Help in Hoquiam and Sacred Heart in Seattle 1988-2002. He died in 4/2010, age 94, at St. Clement Health Care Center in Liguori, MO. Included on the Seattle archdiocese's list 1/15/2016. On the Oakland diocese's list of credibly accused in 2019. Included in 2021 on the Diocese of Fresno's list, which notes that Slane is credibly accused of abuse while assigned to St. Alphonsus 1954-1957.
Fr. Anthony Smith
A man filed civil suit in 2003 alleging abuse by Smith in the mid-1980s, at Holy Redeemer Church in Portland. The abuse allegedly occurred on multiple occasions, and included sodomy, oral sex and fondling. At the time the suit was filed, Smith was working as chaplain at Newman House at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. He was immediately placed on leave. He had been in Stockton for two years. Smith's personnel file shows that in 4/86, he admitted to his superiors that he had "problems" with young boys, had solicited two minors the previous summer and was strongly attracted to a 14-year-old boy. Treatment was recommended and he was sent to his Order in San Francisco, who relayed that they knew of Smith's problems. Added to Stockton diocese's list 11/12/20.
Fr. Christopher Joseph Springer
Cristoff/Christopher. Worked in Corpus Christi, TX and Baton Rouge. Incardinated into the Baton Rouge diocese in 1973. Faculties removed in 1985. Laicized in 1990. First sued in 1994. Accused of abuse 1968-1980 in several lawsuits. Ten suits were filed in 2006. Some settled. As many as 30 alleged victims. Included on the Baton Rouge diocese's list in early 2019. On the Corpus Christi diocese's list 1/31/2019. Left the diocese in 1971. On Galveston-Houston's list 1/31/2019. On the New Orleans archdiocese's list in 6/2019. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 6/2024 of sexually abusing a boy, age 12, in 1978. The boy and his family were parishioners of St. Gerard Majella in Baton Rouge.
Sources:
Fr. James Thiel
Living in Grand Rapids MI in 2004 when accused in a lawsuit of abuse of a middle-school boy 1978-81 at a parish in Pine Lawn, MO. Had resigned in 1994 from Grand Rapids High School in Grand Rapids MI after the Redemptorists informed the Grand Rapids dioceses of allegations that Thiel had abused in St. Louis. Faculties in the Grand Rapids diocese revoked. There were reportedly several confidential settlements related to allegations of abuse dating from the 1970s. The Redemptorists said they asked Thiel to leave the order in 1997. Another man sued in 2005, claiming abuse as a boy by Thiel 1974-79 and that the priest gave him a sexually transmitted disease. The 2004 suit settled in 3/07 for $140K. Three other priests were named in the settlement.
Fr. James J. Toulas
Accused in 1993 of repeatedly sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy in the 1960s-early 1970s. After one occasion at the rectory of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, the boy told the parish janitor, who told a priest. The priest told the boy that Toulas was gone and it would never happen again. Removed in 1993 after his victim came forward, sent to St. Luke Institute for treatment. Toulas admitted the abuse, which occurred while he was visiting Baltimore during a break from missionary work in Brazil. He died in 2000. His name was included on the Baltimore archdiocese's list of accused released in 9/2002. Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.
Fr. Raymond Frederick Walter
Order: CSsR
Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused
Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused
Died: 03/11/2003
Diocese: Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN
Religious order priest who worked in the St. Paul and Minneapolis archdiocese 1964-1978 and 1981-1989, at St. Alphonsus in Brooklyn Center. Name appears on list of priests with credible allegations of abuse of minors released by the Archdiocese 12/5/13. Permanently removed from ministry in 2003. Died 3/11/03.
Sources:
Fr. Robert J. Wells
Accused of abuse of a girl, ages 10-18. She notified the archdiocese in 1992, shortly after Wells died. The allegation was not made public until 2004. The woman filed suit in 12/2005. Her claims were included in an 8/2006 settlement with the archdiocese. Included on the archdiocese's list of credibly accused 1/16/2020, which notes sexual misconduct with a minor 1977-1986. Wells died in 1992.
Fr. Steven J. Wolpert
Retired priest from NY. Admitted allowing children to sleep with him while he was nude. Pleaded guilty in 2008 to 'involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 13' for abuse of an 8-year-old boy 2006-2007. Sentenced to 9-18 years in prison.
Fr. Richard Zumpino
Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Harrisburg on its list in 4/20. May be deceased.