Dominican Sisters-OP

Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.

Suzy Nauman October 16, 2021

7 Accused in This Religious Order

Sr. Mary Andre

Order: OP
Status: Sued

Died: 04/14/2014
Diocese: Archdiocese of Newark NJ

Given name Christine McCardle. Married name after leaving the Dominicans was Muriel A. Muraskin. Entered the Dominican order in Caldwell NJ in 1957. Professed final vows in 1964. Accused in 1967 of sexually abusing a girl in NJ, beginning in 1965 when the girl was 12. Her parents met with the Order's mother superior, who at first didn't believe the accusation. Letters from Sr. Andre to the girl and the nun's journals confirmed the abuse. Sr. Andre had been assigned in Mobile, AL before Newark and was transferred to CT in 1967. The church paid for the girl's counseling; she died by suicide in 1989. Sr. Andre left religious life in about 1969 and moved to CO, where she worked in a hospital lab until her retirement in 1998. She died in 2014. Per a lawsuit in 10/2021, Sr. Andre sexually abused a female student at St. Catherine's in Hillside NJ, beginning when the girl was age 11 in 1964. The abuse allegedly occurred in the parish rectory and the girl's home. Further, Sr. Andre wrote the girl letters, called her on the phone every night, and gave her gifts. A neighbor told the girl's mother in 1967 that she believed the nun was abusing the girl. The mother reported the abuse to the mother superior of the Dominicans, Sr. Carmelita, who was also the school principal. Sr. Carmelita allegedly threatened the mother not to report the abuse. The girl learned that Sr. Andre also abused one of her friends.

Documents:

Plaintiff v Archdiocese of Newark et al, New Jersey Superior Court, 10.27.21

Sources:

Fr. Stuart Bede Campbell

Donate Photo

Order: OP
Ordained: 1930
Status: Sued

Died: 09/22/1986
Diocese: Diocese of Monterey CA

A case filed in Fresno County in 2003 or 2004 accused Campbell of abuse 1956-1959, before the Diocese of Monterey was created. Included on the Los Angeles archdiocese's updated list 12/6/2018; it notes a report in 2010 of incidents 1956-1959 and 1978-1980, and death year as 1982. On Dominicans St. Joseph Province list in late 2018; death year noted as 1986, and and that allegation was established in 2007. On Reno diocese's list 4/5/2019; there 1959-1976. It notes death year as 1988. Per Monterey Bishop Ryan, Campbell died in 1986. On Las Vegas diocese's list 4/12/2019. On Columbus diocese's list 12/3/2019. On Covington diocese's list 7/31/2020 with death date 9/22/86; the Official Catholic Directory confirms this date. Included in 8/2021 on the Fresno diocese's list of credibly accused. On the Dominicans Holy Name Province list in 10/26/2021. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Bryan James Fontenot

Donate Photo

Order: OP
Ordained: 1981
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

Named publicly as accused on the New Orleans archdiocese's list 11/2/2018. It notes he was removed from ministry by the archdiocese in 2002 for alleged abuse occurring elsewhere. Included on the Baton Rouge diocese's list in early 2019, which notes multiple allegations received in 4/1984, of abuse in 1983 while assigned to St. Joseph's in Ponchatoula, LA. Removed by the diocese in 1984 and sent to his Order for supervision.

Sources:

Sr. Maureen Gregory

Donate Photo

Order: OP
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Rockville Centre NY

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/19 under the NY Child Victims Act of abusing a 16-year-old student of St. Agnes in Rockville Centre in 1965. The Sisters of St. Dominic ran the parish school.

Documents:

ARK46 Doe v Diocese of Rockville Centre et al 08.14.19

Sources:

Long Island Weekly News 08.19.19

Sr. Jerry Marie Lyness

Donate Photo

Order: OP
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Seattle WA

Also known as Sr. Mary Jerome Lyness. St. Patrick's in Tacoma teacher 1976-1994, co-principal 1991-1994. Deceased. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Seattle archdiocese on its list in 3/2023. Settlement in 12/2022 of claims of 'inappropriate touching' by Lyness in about 1982 at St. Patrick's.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Seattle List 03.31.23

Sources:

Archdiocese of Seattle List 03.31.23
News Tribune [Tacoma] 03.31.23

Sr. Monica

Donate Photo

Order: OP
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Helena MT

Named publicly as accused by the Helena diocese on its list 4/29/15. Worked at some point at St. Margaret School in Cut Bank.

Sources:

Diocese of Helena List 04.29.15

Sr. Richildus

Donate Photo

Order: OP
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Helena MT

Named publicly as accused by the Helena diocese on its list 4/29/15. Worked at some point at St. Margaret School in Cut Bank.

Sources:

Diocese of Helena List 04.29.15