12 Accused in This Religious Order
- La Crosse Tribune 08.10.11
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 08.11.11
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 08.11.11
- WTMJ 08.11.11
- WISN 08.11.11
- SNAP Wisconsin Statement 08.11.11
- CBS 58 08.12.11
- SNAP Statement 08.12.11
- Leader Telegram 08.12.11
- Green Bay Press-Gazette 08.15.11
- KXOW 09.20.11
- LaCrosse Tribune 09.20.11
- Channel 3000 09.21.11
- LaCrosse Tribune 12.21.11
- News 8000 12.22.11
Fr. Bryan Benoit
Accused in a lawsuit in 2024 of sexually abusing a boy in 1998 and 1999 while a visiting priest at Holy Redeemer in North Bend OR. Benoit's accuser claims the priest sent him sexually explicit emails which led to physical sexual abuse.
Fr. Michael Bucaro
A man sued in 2004 alleging he was sexually abused by Bucaro at St. Matthew's Church in Corona and in San Diego in the 1980s, beginning when he was age 5. The suit names both dioceses, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and Bucaro's former Order, the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. San Bernardino denied any record of past complaints of any kind. Bucaro had been working in prison ministry since 1983. He countersued for slander in 2005. The original suit settled in 2008. Included on the San Bernardino diocese's list of accused 10/9/2018.
Br. Lawrence Gauthier
In a lawsuit filed in 3/2002 a man alleged that Gauthier sexually abused him many times when he was ages 9-12, during 1969-1972, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary. He also claimed that there were at least 7-10 victims. The man said he had attempted suicide 15-20 times. In 2002 Gauthier was retired. He died 5/8/2010.
Fr. Robert Kurilec
First named publicly as accused on the Diocese of San Bernardino's list 10/9/2018. Abuse reportedly occurred in 1970 and 1972 in IN, IL and MD. Taught early in career at a minor seminary in Lenox, MA. Worked at Notre Dame High School in Riverside, CA 1980-1983. Became Navy chaplain in 1984. San Bernardino diocese aware of allegations in 1987. Reported to U.S. Navy in 1988 and to police in 2002. Sentenced by Vatican to Prayer and Penance. Per the diocese's list updated in 5/2021, Kurilec is deceased. Died in FL in 9/2019.
Fr. Thomas Lind
Placed on leave after allegations in a SD civil suit that he had abused children at a Native American School in the 1970s. No previous allegations. Order said charges "not credible" in 2/11 and returned him to ministry. Later statement by Order said that the allegation was actually "unsubstantiated." SD Supreme Court ruled lawsuit could go forward in 1/12. Was living and working in the Jackson, MS diocese.
Fr. Vincent MacDonald
Named publicly as accused by the Jackson diocese on its list 3/19/19. Alleged abuse in the early 1970s in Walls reported to the diocese in 2002. Removed from ministry 2002. Died 2017.
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Fr. Howard Melzer
First named publicly as accused by the San Bernardino Diocese on its list 10/9/2018, noting that it had become aware of allegations 10/17/1993 of abuse 1976-1980. Reported to Order. Melzer was assigned during the time in question to St. Matthew's in Corona. He died 4/11/2009.
Br. Matthew Miles
Admitted in a 3/2008 deposition that he was convicted of sodomizing young boys in Washington, D.C. He said he spent 20 years in a Sex Addicts Anonymous program. He also admitted to sexually abusing at least one youth at St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, SD. This victim filed suit in 6/2007 alleging Miles and another staff member raped and sexually abused him from age 7-10 at the school. In a website post in 5/2023 celebrating "Religious Brothers Day," the Order noted that Miles was retired.
Fr. William Pitcavage
Missionary in Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa for 20 years. Also worked in SD and WI. Elected vice provincial of the Order in 2010. Placed on leave after allegations in a SD civil suit that he had abused children at a Native American School in the 1970s. No previous allegations. The Order said the charges were "not credible" in 2/011 and returned Pitcavage to ministry. A later statement by the Order said that the allegation was actually "unsubstantiated." The SD Supreme Court ruled that the lawsuit could go forward in 1/2012. He died 3/22/2019.
Seminarian Jonathan Nguyen-Vuong
Religious educator and seminarian assigned to Queen of Peace in Olive Branch, MS in 7/2025 when arrested for possession of, accessing, and distribution of child pornography.
Fr. David Szatkowski
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. John George Weisenborn
Member of the MA-based Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary. Caught three times in 1964 by Washington DC police having sex with boys before he was sent to NM for treatment. Lived at Via Coeli Center, allowed to work in parishes. Later assigned full-time as a parish priest. A man filed suit in 10/2011 against the Santa Fe Archdiocese and Servants of the Paraclete, claiming abuse by Weisenborn for three years in the 1960s while at St. Francis Xavier in Albuquerque. Settled in 11/2012. In residence at a parish per the 1989 Catholic Directory. Died in 1991. New lawsuit filed in 5/2015 in Albuquerque alleging abuse of a boy repeatedly at St. Francis Xavier, beginning in 1968. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list 9/12/2017.