Kentucky Priests Accused of Abuse

Abuse within the Kentucky Catholic Diocese has been an issue for far longer than most people are aware of, especially child sexual abuse. This troubling matter of sexually abused church members has been happening for years, even if many cases are surfacing decades later.

There have been cases and lawsuits against Lexington Catholic High School, Covington Catholic High School, Holy Cross High School, Newport Catholic High School, Trinity High School, Catholic Charities, Lourdes Parish, and many more.

It shows a pattern of sexual abuse and systemic cover-ups within the Catholic Church. Our clergy abuse lawyers are committed to seeking justice and supporting survivors in Kentucky with legal and emotional support as they choose to come forward.

Kentucky Catholic Diocese Priest Sex Abuse List

Archdiocese of Louisville KY

Oderic Auer

• Accused

Assigned across New York, New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Kentucky during the early twentieth century, Oderic Auer served in clerical ministry before mid-century. He died in 1950. Allegations of sexual abuse surfaced decades later, and he was publicly identified as accused by the Archdiocese of Louisville in February 2019, where his name appeared in published disclosures under a misspelled form.

Bernard S. Boone

• Accused
  

Bernard S. Boone served as a priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville during the mid-twentieth century, holding parish assignments prior to his death in 1983. Allegations of sexual abuse emerged posthumously. He was publicly named as accused when the archdiocese released its clergy abuse list in February 2019, with no criminal or civil proceedings recorded during his lifetime.

Robert A. Bowling

• Settled
  

Ordained for the Archdiocese of Louisville, Robert A. Bowling transferred to the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas in 1969 and was incardinated there in 1972. Multiple victims later alleged sexual abuse. In 2003, civil claims brought by eleven individuals were resolved through a settlement totaling $25.7 million. No criminal conviction is documented in the public record.

Ronald Borman

• Convicted
  

Ronald Borman served as a priest in the Archdiocese of Louisville from 1992 until leaving the priesthood in 1998. He later worked as a public middle school teacher in Louisville. On October 11, 2006, he was arrested on charges of internet child seduction. Criminal proceedings resulted in a conviction related to the offense.

Bertrand J. Brian

• Accused
  

Bertrand J. Brian served in parish ministry within the Archdiocese of Louisville during the latter half of the twentieth century. He died in 2005. Allegations of sexual abuse were raised after his death, and he was publicly identified as accused when the archdiocese released its clergy abuse disclosures in February 2019. No legal action occurred during his lifetime.

Ernest P. Bradunas

• Sued
  

Ernest P. Bradunas was affiliated with the Xaverian Brothers and served as a teacher rather than in parish ministry. A woman later filed a civil lawsuit alleging sexual abuse during his teaching years. The claim proceeded through civil court against the religious order. No criminal conviction is recorded, and the matter is documented as civil litigation.

Philip Bronk

• Accused
  

Philip Bronk, also identified in some records as James Bronk, served as a priest associated with the Archdiocese of Louisville before later work as a chaplain at Little Flower Haven in La Mesa, California. His ministry included leading international pilgrimages during the mid-to-late twentieth century. Allegations of sexual abuse surfaced later, leading to his public identification as accused.

Kentigern Carbin

• Accused
  

Kentigern Carbin joined the Xaverian Brothers in 1946 and left the order in 1963. Allegations reported in 2004 and again in 2011 described sexual abuse occurring in Louisville, Kentucky, during the early 1960s. He was publicly named as accused by the Xaverian Brothers on July 12, 2019. He was deceased at the time of disclosure.

Joseph Edward Bradley

• Accused
  

Joseph Edward Bradley served as principal of Owensboro Catholic High School during the 1980s. A minor later reported sexual abuse occurring during that decade. He was suspended from ministry, and the suspension was later lifted with conditions imposed by Vatican authorities. A restriction barred him from entering any primary or secondary school for a five-year period.

Marvin A. Carney Jr.

• Arrested
  

Known as “Skip,” Marvin A. Carney Jr. was arrested in the mid-1980s on charges including sexual abuse, sodomy, distribution of obscene material to a minor, and unlawful transaction with a minor. The arrest occurred the same week he was scheduled for ordination. Charges were later dropped, and he was ordained in 1986, subsequently serving as a priest.

Thomas P. Casper

• Sued
  

Thomas P. Casper served as a parish priest in the Archdiocese of Louisville during the 1950s and 1960s. Civil lawsuits alleged sexual abuse of minors occurring between approximately 1955 and 1956 and again between 1964 and 1965. The allegations were pursued through civil litigation rather than criminal court proceedings, with claims focused on his parish assignments during that period.

Joseph E. Carrico

• Sued
  

Ordained in 1967, Joseph E. Carrico, also known as Gene or Joe Gene Carrico, served in three parishes over six years before leaving the priesthood in 1973 and being laicized in 1974. Four civil lawsuits filed in 2003 accused him of sexually abusing girls while in ministry, including a child as young as seven. He denied two claims, was placed on paid leave as a lay educator, was listed by the archdiocese in 2019, and died on May 20, 2021.

William Patrick Caster

• Sued
  

Ordained in 1954, William Patrick Caster served in parish ministry within the Archdiocese of Louisville, including at Holy Family Parish. A civil lawsuit filed in 2003 alleged he molested a girl in 1955 or 1956 when she was about ten years old. He retired for health reasons in 1988, died on December 22, 1989, and was publicly listed by the archdiocese as accused in February 2019.

Daniel C. Clark

• Guilty plea
  

Removed from ministry in 1988, Daniel C. Clark later faced criminal charges related to the sexual abuse of two brothers. In 2003, he entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to fifteen years of probation and ninety days in jail. He served time in custody and was released from prison in 2007. His case resulted in a criminal conviction.

Thomas R. Clark

• Settled
  

In 1998, allegations of sexual abuse were raised against Thomas R. Clark while he was associated with the Archdiocese of Louisville. The archdiocese concluded no abuse had occurred but agreed to a financial settlement of $30,000 with the complainant. The matter was resolved through settlement rather than litigation, and no criminal charges were filed.

Kevin Cole

• Sued
  

At least five civil lawsuits filed in 2002 accused Kevin Cole of sexually abusing girls during his time in ministry. The alleged abuse occurred prior to his death in 1991, with some claims indicating misconduct may have begun before his arrival in Kentucky. He was publicly identified on the Archdiocese of Louisville’s list of accused clergy in February 2019.

Thomas P. Creagh

• Settled
  

Archdiocesan officials were aware of allegations of sexual abuse involving Thomas P. Creagh by 1983. A settlement with a victim included a $10,000 contribution from the Archdiocese of Louisville. In 2002, Creagh was permanently removed from active ministry. The matter was resolved through settlement rather than criminal proceedings.

C. Patrick Creed

• Sued
  

C. Patrick Creed was accused of making sexually inappropriate comments to a teenager in 1951 while serving in the Archdiocese of Louisville. He remained in ministry for decades and died in 2001. Allegations surfaced publicly years later, and he was included on the archdiocese’s list of accused clergy released in 2019.

Charles H. Cummings

• Accused
  

Known as Brother Lucas, Charles H. Cummings joined the Xaverian Brothers in 1933 and served in educational roles. An allegation reported in 2018 accused him of sexual abuse occurring in Louisville in 1968. He died in 1995 and was publicly identified as accused by the Archdiocese of Louisville on July 12, 2019.

James Patrick Cronin

• Sued
  

A woman filed a civil lawsuit alleging that James Patrick Cronin sexually abused her during childhood while she was at St. Thomas–St. Vincent Orphanage. The claim also named two nuns and Father Lammers as co-abusers. The allegations concerned events occurring during his period of service at the orphanage and were pursued through civil litigation.

Madeline de Paul Galatine

• Sued
  

Madeline de Paul Galatine was sued in 2004 for alleged sexual abuse of two girls and one boy, who were siblings, at St. Thomas–St. Vincent Orphanage. The alleged abuse occurred during the 1950s and 1960s. Galatine was deceased at the time the lawsuit was filed, and the claims proceeded as civil actions.

Robert A. DeWitt

• Accused
  

Robert A. DeWitt served in ministry within the Archdiocese of Louisville prior to his death in 1999. Allegations of sexual abuse were raised after his death. He was publicly identified as accused when the archdiocese released its list of clergy with substantiated allegations in February 2019. No criminal or civil proceedings occurred during his lifetime.

Charles F. Dearing

• Settled
  

After serving as a parish priest and later as an Air Force chaplain, Charles F. Dearing left the priesthood in 1971, married, and raised a family. A civil lawsuit filed in April 2003 alleged sexual abuse occurring between 1966 and 1968 when the complainant was about ten years old. The claim was settled in June 2003 as part of a broader diocesan settlement. Criminal charges filed in July 2003 were dismissed for insufficient evidence. He died on February 23, 2009.

Robert J. Dollinger

• Sued
  

Ordained in 1954, Robert J. Dollinger served in parish ministry before relocating to Canada in 1983, where he remained active as a priest until at least 1994. Four civil lawsuits filed in 2002 accused him of sexual abuse. He was permanently removed from active ministry in October 2002 and, in October 2005, was ordered by the Vatican to live a life of prayer and penance. He died on July 13, 2011, in Prince Edward Island and was publicly listed by the archdiocese in 2019.

Bruce O. Ewing

• Convicted
  

Bruce O. Ewing left the priesthood in 1977, later marrying and raising a family. He was charged in the early 1970s with rape and sodomy related to sexual abuse. He was found guilty on one count and sentenced to five years of probation. He was formally laicized in 2004 following the conviction.

Francis Dominic

• Sued
  

Known as Anthony Salomone, Francis Dominic was accused in multiple civil lawsuits filed in Kentucky in 2002 alleging sexual abuse of at least six boys during his time in ministry. The claims were pursued through civil litigation rather than criminal court. He was publicly identified as accused when the Archdiocese of Louisville released its clergy abuse list in February 2019.

Mary Camilla Donahue

• Sued
  

Sister Mary Camilla Donahue was accused in civil litigation of sexually abusing at least four girls while assigned to St. Thomas–St. Vincent Orphanage. The alleged abuse occurred during her period of service at the institution. Claims were pursued through civil lawsuits rather than criminal prosecution, and the matter is documented as part of broader litigation involving abuse at the orphanage.

John A. Elder

• Sued
  

John A. Elder was accused in civil actions of sexually abusing at least two minor females in 1959 and later abusing a woman in 1973. The allegations span multiple years and involve both minor and adult complainants. The claims were addressed through civil litigation rather than criminal proceedings and relate to his period of service within the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Daniel Emerine

• Settled
  

Daniel Emerine was named in multiple civil lawsuits filed against the Archdiocese of Louisville in 2002, with additional suits filed in 2003. Several plaintiffs alleged sexual abuse and stated they reported the conduct to church officials or teachers at the time without action taken. The claims were resolved through settlement as part of broader diocesan litigation.

John Donald Gallagher

• Sued
  

A civil lawsuit filed in 2002 alleged that John Donald Gallagher, identified as Rev. “Bernard” Gallagher, sexually abused a girl in 1950 at Holy Trinity Church. The complainant stated she developed obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms the following year. The allegation was pursued through civil court rather than criminal prosecution.

Linus T. Giesler

• Sued
  

Linus T. Giesler was named in a civil lawsuit filed in 2002 by a man alleging sexual abuse occurring when the plaintiff was between seven and eleven years old. The alleged abuse took place while Giesler served as pastor at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville during the early 1960s, alongside an associate pastor who was also named. The Archdiocese stated no other complaints were received. Giesler died in 1999 at age eighty-four.

Jean Gish

• Sued
  

Martha Jean “Jeannie” Gish was accused in a civil lawsuit filed on July 26, 2004 of sexually abusing a girl at Presentation Academy. The complainant also alleged abuse by several other religious personnel. The alleged conduct occurred during Gish’s service at the school. She died in December 2021, and the claims proceeded as civil litigation.

Robert B. Gray

• Sued
  

Ordained in 1957, Robert B. Gray served in parish ministry within the Archdiocese of Louisville for several decades. A civil lawsuit filed in 2002 accused him of sexually abusing a boy, with the plaintiff stating the allegation had been reported to the archdiocese in 1994 and 1998. Gray was placed on leave, returned to active status later in 2002 after police declined to substantiate the claim, and died on July 5, 2021.

George R. Greenwell

• Sued
  

A civil lawsuit filed in 2019 alleged that George R. Greenwell, identified as “Fr. Greenwell,” sexually abused a girl in 1951 in a school restroom. The allegation concerned conduct during his period of ministry within the Archdiocese of Louisville and was pursued through civil litigation rather than criminal proceedings.

James Griffith

• Convicted
  

James Griffith, a Passionist deacon, was convicted of sexually abusing a boy during the 1970s. He was sentenced to sixty days in jail and five years of probation. His conviction was formally recorded, and he was later included on the Archdiocese of Detroit’s list of clergy with substantiated allegations in April 2021.

Frank Gunther

• Accused
  

Ordained in 1945, Frank Gunther served in ministry within the Archdiocese of Louisville before his death in 1991. Allegations of sexual abuse were raised posthumously. He was publicly identified as accused when the archdiocese released its list of clergy with substantiated allegations in February 2019. No criminal or civil proceedings occurred during his lifetime.

James E. Hagan

• Sued
  

James E. Hagan was accused of sexually abusing an eleven-year-old girl in 1956 at St. Leo the Great Parish. He left the priesthood in 1973 and was formally laicized in 1974. The allegation was later pursued through civil litigation rather than criminal prosecution and relates to his earlier period of parish ministry.

James E. Hargadon

• Convicted
  

Four civil lawsuits filed in 2002 accused James E. Hargadon of sexually abusing altar boys during his ministry. In 2004, he was twice criminally convicted of sexual abuse. He served sentences related to those convictions and died in 2005. His case resulted in both civil litigation and criminal adjudication.

Raymond Joseph Hemmerle

• Convicted
  

Raymond Joseph Hemmerle was accused of molesting an eleven-year-old boy in the mid-1970s at a summer camp. He was placed on leave, later reinstated, and remained active until May 2014, when a new allegation surfaced. He was indicted on six counts of sodomy and three counts of sexual abuse, sentenced to seven years in prison, and denied parole.

Joseph T. Herp

• Sued
  

Joseph T. Herp was sued in civil actions filed in 2002 and 2003 by four men alleging sexual abuse occurring during the 1970s and 1980s. His priestly privileges were permanently removed in 2002, and his laicization was formally announced in 2005. The allegations were addressed through civil litigation rather than criminal court.

James Louis-Bertrand Kilkenny

• Accused
  

Public identification came decades after his death, when the Dominican Province of St. Joseph named James Louis-Bertrand Kilkenny as accused in late 2018. He had served as a Dominican priest during the mid-twentieth century and died in 1985. No criminal case or civil lawsuit was brought during his lifetime, and his inclusion followed posthumous disclosure by the religious order.

Frances Howard

• Settled
  

Allegations surfaced in 2004 accusing Frances Howard of sexually abusing a girl while assigned to St. Thomas–St. Vincent Orphanage in Louisville. The reported abuse dated back several decades. Claims against Howard were addressed through civil settlement, with the religious order resolving most plaintiffs’ cases. The matter concluded without criminal prosecution.

Lawrence Kuntz

• Accused
  

Dating back to 1928, allegations asserted that Lawrence Kuntz molested a seven-year-old boy while serving at St. Cecilia Parish in Louisville. Originally from Ontario, Canada, Kuntz was accused long after the alleged conduct. Civil litigation included claims against the Vatican, which were dismissed in August 2010. He remains listed as accused by the Archdiocese of Louisville.

James R. McCormack

• Accused
  

Known as Brother Pierre, James R. McCormack was accused of sexual abuse involving adolescents during the early 1980s. Following the allegation, he was removed from ministry with youth. No criminal charges followed, but restrictions were imposed based on reports of misconduct during his service within the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Herman J. Lammers

• Sued
  

For nearly four decades, Herman J. Lammers directed Catholic Charities in Louisville from 1939 to 1976. Beginning in 2002, he was named in numerous civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse connected to St. Thomas–St. Vincent Orphanage. Claims involving Lammers were resolved through a large, multi-victim settlement finalized in 2006.

Patrick Mackan

• Sued
  

Civil litigation accused Patrick Mackan of sexually abusing a seventeen-year-old Canadian girl during trips to the United States. The allegations described abuse occurring after the girl had previously been assaulted and impregnated by another individual. The claims proceeded through civil court and involved conduct alleged to have taken place during cross-border travel.

John E. Magel

• Sued
  

A civil lawsuit alleged that John E. Magel, a retired priest, exposed himself to a group of boys while on a camping trip. Following an internal review by the Archdiocese of Louisville, Magel was returned to active status. The allegation was handled through civil proceedings rather than criminal prosecution.

Theodore Meisner

• Sued
  

During a counseling session in 1981, Theodore Meisner was accused of fondling a thirteen-year-old youth. He continued in ministry for several years afterward before leaving the priesthood in 1989. The allegation was later pursued through civil litigation connected to his period of service in the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Louis E. Miller

• Convicted
  

Initially retained in ministry despite concerns, Louis E. Miller became the subject of extensive litigation in 2002 and 2003, with at least ninety-four civil lawsuits filed. He later pleaded guilty to sexually abusing twenty-one children. A twenty-year prison sentence followed, marking one of the most severe criminal outcomes linked to the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Joseph Irvin Mouser

• Settled
  

Placed on leave in 2002, Joseph Irvin Mouser was accused by five men in separate civil lawsuits alleging abuse during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The claims were resolved through settlement. In 2020, he was identified as serving as a chaplain for the Sisters of Loretto in Kentucky despite prior restrictions.

Joseph T. Neeson

• Sued
  

A civil lawsuit filed in 2002 accused Joseph T. Neeson of sexually abusing an altar boy during his ministry. The plaintiff filed the claim while incarcerated on unrelated criminal convictions. The allegation proceeded through civil court rather than criminal prosecution and concerned Neeson’s earlier parish assignment.

Juvenal Carl Pfalzer

• Accused
  

After his death on March 6, 2002, allegations of sexual abuse involving Juvenal Carl Pfalzer emerged publicly. He was named on the Archdiocese of Louisville’s list of accused clergy in February 2019 and appeared on additional lists identifying priests with substantiated allegations. No legal action occurred during his lifetime.

Anthony Louise Pereira

• Sued
  

Included in a multi-plaintiff lawsuit, Anthony Louise Pereira was accused of sexually abusing a child alongside another nun. The case also named the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and Herman J. Lammers. Allegations related to childhood abuse and were addressed through civil litigation as part of broader institutional claims.

Kent Pieper

• Accused
  

Posthumous disclosure identified Kent Pieper, also known as Paul Pieper, as accused when the Archdiocese of Louisville released its clergy list in February 2019. He had served in ministry prior to his death on September 10, 1994. No criminal charges or civil lawsuits were brought while he was alive.

Stephen A. Pohl

• Convicted
  

While serving as pastor of St. Mary Margaret Parish, Stephen A. Pohl was arrested for accessing child pornography and later sentenced to thirty-three months in federal prison. Civil lawsuits also alleged sexual abuse of a boy at age seven in 2014 and again in 2015. His case resulted in criminal conviction and incarceration.

Mary Ann Powers

• Sued
  

Eight women and one man filed civil lawsuits accusing Mary Ann Powers of sexual abuse at St. Thomas–St. Vincent Orphanage. The alleged conduct occurred during her years of service at the institution. Powers died in 1995 at age ninety-two, and the claims proceeded as civil actions after her death.

Anthony Salamone

• Settled
  

Operating under the name Brother Francis Dominic, Anthony Salamone was accused in five civil lawsuits filed in 2002 alleging sexual abuse. The claims were resolved through settlement in 2003. His name later appeared in archdiocesan disclosures related to substantiated abuse allegations.

Joseph J. Rives

• Sued
  

Between 1962 and 1964, Joseph J. Rives was accused of sexually abusing three girls while they were minors. Civil lawsuits were later filed, though two were dismissed as untimely. Remaining claims proceeded through civil court rather than criminal prosecution.

Donald L. Ryan

• Settled
  

Ordained in 1963, Donald L. Ryan served in multiple Louisville-area parishes, including Holy Cross and St. Columba, where parish schools were attached. In April 2003, two men filed separate civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse in the 1960s while they were altar boys and students. Ryan was suspended, later reinstated after review board action, and the claims were resolved through settlement. He retired in 2009.

Edwin J. Scherzer

• Convicted
  

Removed from ministry in 2002 after allegations surfaced, Edwin J. Scherzer later admitted to sexually abusing four boys during the late 1950s and early 1960s. In 2005, he pleaded guilty to the offenses and received a sentence of five years of house arrest. His criminal case concluded with conviction. Scherzer died in 2017.

Caroline Mary Schneider

• Sued
  

Known as Sister Mary Jane Schneider, Caroline Mary Schneider was accused in civil litigation of sexually abusing a girl while assigned to Most Blessed Sacrament parish school. The allegation was added through an amended lawsuit filed on July 22, 2004, which also named two other nuns as alleged abusers. The religious order confirmed Schneider was assigned to the school during the relevant period. She died in 1969, and the claims proceeded through civil court.

James R. Schook

• Convicted
  

Following an allegation of sexual abuse, James R. Schook was removed from the priesthood in 2009. Criminal proceedings later resulted in his conviction in 2014 on three counts of sodomy and one count of indecent or immoral practice. He was sentenced to fifteen years in prison, concluding the case with a substantial term of incarceration.

Dominic Savino

• Settled
  

After allegations involving sexual abuse of two brothers and additional victims, Dominic Savino was removed in 2002 from his position as president of Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California. He was formally separated from the Carmelite Order in 2005. Civil claims connected to the allegations were resolved through settlement rather than criminal adjudication.

Anselm Sippel

• Accused
  

Publicly identified decades after his death, Anselm Sippel was named as accused by the Archdiocese of Louisville in February 2019. He died in March 1985. His name was later added to the Diocese of Gallup’s list of clergy with substantiated allegations in November 2021. No legal proceedings occurred during his lifetime.

Arthur

• Sued
  

A civil lawsuit filed in 2004 alleged sexual abuse by a nun identified as Sister Arthur at St. Thomas–St. Vincent Orphanage and Holy Spirit School. The claim was part of broader litigation involving abuse at those institutions. The allegations were addressed through civil court rather than criminal prosecution.

Eva Marie

• Sued
  

In 2004, a civil lawsuit filed by approximately fifty individuals accused Eva Marie of abusing a child during the 1960s and 1970s at St. Thomas–St. Vincent Orphanage. The allegations formed part of large-scale litigation concerning abuse at the orphanage. The claims were pursued through civil proceedings.

Charles

• Sued
  

A woman filed a civil lawsuit in July 2004 alleging sexual abuse by Sister Charles while she was assigned to St. Thomas–St. Vincent Orphanage. The suit also named Monsignor Herman J. Lammers and other nuns. The allegations related to abuse during childhood and were addressed through civil litigation.

Joseph Anthony

• Sued
  

Named in civil litigation filed in July 2004, Sister Joseph Anthony was accused of sexually abusing a girl while assigned to St. Thomas–St. Vincent Orphanage during the late 1950s or early 1960s. The lawsuit also named Monsignor Herman J. Lammers and several other nuns, alleging abuse at the orphanage and affiliated schools. Records confirm she worked at the orphanage during that period and left the religious order in 1972.

Leon C. Spalding

• Sued
  

A civil lawsuit filed in 2003 alleged that Leon C. Spalding molested a woman after confession during the early 1970s. The claim concerned conduct during his priestly ministry within the Archdiocese of Louisville. Spalding denied the allegation. The matter proceeded through civil litigation rather than criminal court.

Joseph Michael

• Sued
  

Multiple civil lawsuits accused Joseph Michael of sexually abusing children at St. Thomas–St. Vincent Orphanage. A complaint filed on July 27, 2004 alleged abuse of four girls during the 1950s and 1960s, while another suit filed on July 14, 2005 accused him of abusing a boy in the 1960s and 1970s. The cases were pursued through civil court.

Mary Jane

• Sued
  

Identified as Sister Mary Jane, she was accused in civil litigation of sexually abusing a girl while assigned to Presentation Academy, leading to her removal from ministry pending investigation. A separate lawsuit filed in 2005 alleged sexual abuse of a girl aged six to seven during the 1960–1961 school year at St. Patrick Catholic School in Washington. The allegations were pursued through civil court, with no criminal prosecution recorded.

Joseph H. Stoltz

• Sued
  

Placed on restricted ministry in 1991, Joseph H. Stoltz was later sued in 2002 over allegations of sexually abusing a boy during the 1970s. He resigned from the priesthood in 2004. The allegations were handled through civil litigation and did not result in a criminal conviction.

Mary Alma Stuecker

• Sued
  

A civil lawsuit filed in July 2004 accused Mary Alma Stuecker of sexually abusing a boy at St. Thomas–St. Vincent Orphanage in Anchorage, Kentucky. The religious order denied receiving other allegations against her. She was deceased at the time of litigation, and the claim proceeded as a civil action.

Helen Thieneman

• Sued
  

A woman filed a civil lawsuit in 2003 alleging that Helen Thieneman sexually abused her multiple times during the 1974–1975 school year. The complainant stated she reported the abuse to Archbishop Kelly in 1992. Thieneman was later assigned to a hospital in a controlled environment. The matter was pursued through civil court.

James W. Thompson

• Sued
  

Ordained in London, Ontario, James W. Thompson was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Louisville in 1970. In 2003, two men filed separate civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse during his ministry. The claims were addressed through civil litigation rather than criminal proceedings.

George J. Waldie

• Accused
  

George J. Waldie was publicly identified as accused when the Archdiocese of Louisville released its list of clergy with substantiated allegations in February 2019. He had served in ministry prior to his death in 1996. No criminal charges or civil lawsuits were brought during his lifetime.

Henry G. Vessels

• Sued
  

A civil lawsuit accused Henry G. Vessels of sexually abusing a twelve-year-old boy in Mount Washington between 1969 and 1970. The allegation concerned conduct during his period of ministry. Vessels died in 1980 at age fifty-five. The claim proceeded through civil litigation after his death.

Stanislas Kotska Willett

• Sued
  

Civil litigation accused Stanislas Kotska Willett of sexually abusing a girl at St. Vincent Orphanage in Louisville beginning in 1938, when the child was six years old, and continuing until her removal in 1943. Willett served as mother superior of the orphanage from 1940 to 1944. An amended lawsuit filed August 3, 2004 also named Rev. Herman J. Lammers and Sister Frances Howard, with the claims addressed through civil court proceedings.

J. Kendrick Williams

• Settled
  

Serving as Bishop of Lexington, J. Kendrick Williams resigned in 2002 following allegations by three former altar boys. The Archdiocese of Louisville later resolved the claims through settlement. He was removed from public ministry, and the matter concluded without criminal prosecution.

Arthur L. Wood

• Settled
  

In 1995, the Archdiocese of Louisville paid $10,500 and provided counseling to resolve an allegation that Arthur L. Wood sexually abused a boy. The settlement included a confidentiality agreement. The matter was handled through civil resolution rather than criminal proceedings.

Diocese of Covington KY

James Edward Fritsch

• Settled
  

Well before public disclosure, James Edward Fritsch was accused of raping a thirteen-year-old girl in 1966. Records later revealed he had been hospitalized by the Diocese of Covington in 1965 after acknowledging sexual contact with approximately nine to ten girls, including at least one aged fifteen. The allegation was resolved through settlement, bringing to light prior diocesan knowledge and intervention preceding the later reported assault.

Paul Marion Arbogast

• Accused
  

Removed from Covington Latin School in 2003, Paul Marion Arbogast faced allegations of sexual abuse connected to his work in Catholic education. He was subsequently named in pleadings tied to broader litigation involving the Covington and Lexington dioceses. Earlier assignments included Lexington Catholic High School between 1981 and 1986. No criminal conviction is recorded, and his removal followed allegations rather than adjudication.

Robert Alan Berberich

• Accused
  

Public identification occurred on July 31, 2020, when the Diocese of Covington listed Robert Alan Berberich as having substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. He had left active ministry in 1991. The disclosure followed diocesan review rather than court proceedings, and no criminal case is documented in connection with the allegations.

Frederick Gervais Bamberger

• Accused
  

Frederick Gervais Bamberger was posthumously named on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020, list of clergy with substantiated allegations of abuse. His ministry occurred prior to his death on December 1, 1971. No civil or criminal action took place during his lifetime, and disclosure followed later diocesan review.

Earl Charles Bierman

• Convicted
  

Complaints dating back to 1961 eventually culminated in criminal prosecution decades later. A longtime Covington Latin School faculty member, Earl Charles Bierman was arrested in 1992 for sodomizing a fifteen-year-old boy in 1974. In 1993, he was convicted of abusing six boys and removed from faculty service, following allegations that he may have abused hundreds of students.

Marlene Bertke

• Sued
  

In 2002, a former student nun filed a civil lawsuit alleging sexual abuse by Marlene Bertke in 1959 while she was in religious formation. The plaintiff also alleged abuse by two other nuns during the same period. The claims were addressed through civil litigation rather than criminal prosecution and centered on conduct occurring within a convent setting.

Mary Justa Birochik

• Accused
  

Entering the Sisters of Notre Dame convent in 1939, Mary Justa Birochik later worked at St. Joseph Orphanage from 1950 to 1952. Allegations of sexual abuse emerged decades later, leading to her identification as accused. No criminal proceedings are recorded, and the disclosure followed institutional review rather than litigation.

Joseph L. Bradley

• Accused
  

Originally from the Diocese of Salford in Manchester, England, Joseph L. Bradley served in the Diocese of Covington between 1964 and 1966. He was publicly named on the diocese’s July 31, 2020, list of clergy with substantiated allegations of abuse. The disclosure occurred long after his service, without associated criminal adjudication in Kentucky.

Raymond Leo Broering

• Accused
  

Raymond Leo Broering was included on the Diocese of Covington’s list of clergy with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. He retired from ministry on August 1, 1995. Public disclosure followed diocesan review processes, and no criminal conviction is recorded in connection with the allegations.

Thomas Bryan

• Accused
  

Assigned to Newport Catholic High School during the 1964–1965 academic year, Thomas Bryan later appeared on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations. He died on April 16, 2020. The disclosure followed internal review, with no criminal case documented.

Joseph Aloysius Browne

• Sued
  

In 2003, Joseph Aloysius Browne was sued for allegedly raping a girl at a children’s home during his priesthood. He had left the priesthood in 1969, later marrying and relocating to Canada. The allegation was pursued through civil litigation rather than criminal court, emerging decades after his departure from ministry.

Raymond Chappa

• Settled
  

Raymond Chappa was laicized following allegations of sexual abuse and subsequently appeared on multiple diocesan lists, including those of Covington, Lexington, New Orleans, and Cincinnati. The claims were resolved through settlement rather than trial. His case reflects cross-jurisdictional disclosure following removal from clerical status.

Paul Peter Ciangetti

• Settled
  

Civil litigation beginning in 2002 named Paul Peter Ciangetti in an employment-related abuse claim filed by a father and son, followed by two additional lawsuits in 2003. The Diocese of Covington paid $50,000 in connection with the abuse claim. The matter concluded through settlement without criminal prosecution.

Louis Henry Dickmann

• Accused
  

Known as “Lou,” Louis Henry Dickmann was publicly listed by the Diocese of Covington on July 31, 2020 as having substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. He was suspended from ministry on March 24, 2014. Dickmann died on October 6, 2021. No criminal conviction is recorded in his case.

Charles Anthony Donovan

• Accused
  

Charles Anthony Donovan was posthumously identified on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations of abuse. His ministry occurred prior to his death on October 21, 1990. The disclosure followed diocesan review rather than litigation or criminal proceedings.

Gerald M. Fitzgerald

• Accused
  

Gerald M. Fitzgerald was named on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. He died on March 13, 1985. No criminal or civil action occurred during his lifetime, and his inclusion followed posthumous review.

Richard Frazier

• Settled
  

Removed from ministry in 2006, Richard Frazier faced allegations of sexual abuse occurring in the late 1970s and early 1980s, as well as additional claims involving abuse of a child in the late 1990s. The allegations were resolved through settlement, concluding his clerical service without criminal conviction.

Douglas F. Fortner

• Accused
  

Following allegations of sexual abuse, Douglas F. Fortner was placed on leave in November 2006. His ministerial faculties were suspended in February 2009, and he was formally laicized on January 27, 2010. He did not return to active ministry. Fortner died on January 30, 2015, several years after the conclusion of canonical proceedings.

Bernard John Gieske

• Accused
  

Bernard John Gieske left active ministry in 1974 and was laicized on January 4, 1975. Decades later, he was publicly identified by the Diocese of Covington on its July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. No criminal prosecution is recorded in connection with the allegations.

John Wiley Goeke

• Settled
  

Accusations involving sexual abuse of two girls in the early 1960s led to the permanent removal of John Wiley “Jack” Goeke from ministry in 2002 following the Dallas Bishops Conference. The claims were resolved through settlement. Despite his removal, he was later honored at a 2018 event hosted by a housing nonprofit organization.

Robert Louis Gruber

• Accused
  

Robert Louis Gruber retired from ministry in 1998 and died on February 3, 2003. He was later included on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. Disclosure occurred posthumously, and no criminal case was brought during his lifetime.

Ralph Clarence Hartman

• Accused
  

Charter suspension for Ralph Clarence Hartman was noted on September 9, 2002. He was subsequently listed by the Diocese of Covington on July 31, 2020 as having substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. Hartman died on July 9, 2020, after years without active ministry.

Henry Charles Hils

• Accused
  

Henry Charles Hils was posthumously identified on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations of abuse. His ministry occurred prior to his death on January 3, 1982. No civil or criminal proceedings were recorded during his lifetime.

Raymond Charles Holtz

• Accused
  

Retiring from ministry on July 1, 2001, Raymond Charles Holtz died on November 27, 2003. He was later named on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations. His case was disclosed posthumously and involved no criminal adjudication.

Mary Eugene Imbus

• Accused
  

Known by her given name Rosemary Imbus, Mary Eugene Imbus entered the Sisters of Notre Dame and worked at Villa Madonna Academy from 1955 to 1958. She was dispensed from religious vows on June 3, 1966, later married, and died on April 15, 2005. She was subsequently listed by the Diocese of Covington as having substantiated allegations of abuse.

Louis Joseph Holtz

• Settled
  

A man reported that Louis Joseph Holtz sexually abused him during 1974–1975. The claims were settled in 1997, and Holtz agreed to be laicized as part of the resolution. His removal from clerical status concluded the matter without criminal prosecution.

Herman Bernard Kamlage

• Accused
  

Court records describe allegations that Herman Bernard Kamlage abused at least six boys between the ages of five and eighteen. The alleged abuse occurred during visits to a cabin owned by Kamlage at Lake Carnico. The accusations were addressed through civil proceedings rather than criminal conviction.

Robert Paul Klein

• Settled
  

Accused of abusing a youth in 1964 at Sacred Heart Parish in Bellevue, Robert Paul Klein disclosed the allegation to Bishop Ackerman. No immediate action followed at the time. The claim was later resolved through settlement, and Klein was included on the Diocese of Lexington’s list of clergy with substantiated allegations.

James Edward Kleman

• Settled
  

A woman joined a class action lawsuit alleging that James Edward Kleman sexually abused her and her brother. The claims were resolved through settlement. Kleman died in 1974, and no criminal case was pursued during his lifetime.

Daniel Michael Lally

• Accused
  

Daniel Michael Lally retired from ministry in 1986 and died on December 13, 1991. He was later publicly identified on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse, following posthumous review.

Thomas Victor Lloyd

• Accused
  

Suspended from ministry in 1993, Thomas Victor Lloyd was later included on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations. No criminal conviction is recorded, and his case was handled through diocesan processes.

Larry Bruce Leslie

• Accused
  

Larry Bruce Leslie was publicly identified as having substantiated allegations of sexual abuse by the Diocese of Covington. His permission to serve as a Navy chaplain was rescinded, and a charter suspension was noted. His last known location was California, with no return to active ministry.

Raymond Anthony McClanahan

• Accused
  

Raymond Anthony McClanahan was posthumously named on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations. His ministry occurred prior to his death on December 1, 1978. Disclosure followed later diocesan review.

David Mark MacPherson

• Settled
  

Two women filed a class action lawsuit alleging that David Mark MacPherson sexually abused them during the 1960s. The Diocese of Covington paid $750,000 to resolve claims brought by the two women and an additional male claimant. The matter concluded through settlement without criminal prosecution.

William Henry Mertes

• Accused
  

William Henry Mertes retired from ministry in 1981 and died on April 22, 2003. He was later included on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. No legal action occurred during his lifetime.

Norbert Henry Middendorf

• Accused
  

Norbert Henry Middendorf was publicly identified on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations. His ministry occurred before his death on May 7, 1970. The disclosure was posthumous.

David Meyer

• Accused
  

David Meyer was placed on leave in 2007 after an allegation surfaced that he had sexually abused a public school student approximately thirty years earlier. He did not return to active ministry. The allegation was handled through diocesan review rather than criminal court.

Gary Albert Miller

• Accused
  

Charter suspension for Gary Albert Miller was noted on September 10, 2002. He was later included on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. Miller died on July 28, 2016.

Reuben Thomas Moscowitz

• Convicted
  

In 1952, Reuben Thomas Moscowitz was charged with transporting a fourteen-year-old girl from Newport, Kentucky to Washington, D.C. for immoral purposes. He was convicted in 1953 and sentenced to two years in prison, marking one of the earliest criminal convictions associated with clergy abuse in the diocese.

William Charles Neuroth

• Accused
  

Laicized on December 18, 1970, William Charles Neuroth later became an Anglican Catholic priest in 1980. He was publicly listed by the Diocese of Covington on July 31, 2020 as having substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. Neuroth died on May 4, 2018.

Raymond Lawrence Nieman

• Accused
  

Raymond Lawrence Nieman retired from ministry in 1981 and died on January 7, 2002. He was later included on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations, following posthumous review.

Joseph Nicholas Muench

• Convicted
  

Originally ordained for the Diocese of Covington and later incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington, Joseph Nicholas Muench was indicted for sexually abusing two victims during the 1980s, including conduct in 1984–1985. He was convicted and sentenced to two concurrent one-year prison terms.

John Albert Osterhage

• Accused
  

John Albert Osterhage died on April 27, 1973, at age forty. Decades later, he was publicly identified on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. No legal proceedings occurred during his lifetime.

Michael David Ott

• Accused
  

Michael David Ott left active ministry in 1988. He was later included on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations. The disclosure followed diocesan review rather than criminal adjudication.

Gerald L. Reinersman

• Sued
  

Placed on leave in 2004, Gerald L. Reinersman was accused by a man who alleged repeated sexual abuse occurring in 1979 when he was a young boy. The case was handled by a special civilian review board, and the allegations were pursued through civil litigation.

Emmeran Rettger

• Accused
  

Public identification occurred in August 2018, when the St. Vincent Abbey Benedictines named Emmeran Rettger as accused. He had been removed from active ministry in 1993. No criminal conviction is recorded, and disclosure followed internal review.

John Stanley Schutzman

• Accused
  

Retiring from ministry in 1990, John Stanley Schutzman later appeared on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations. He died on November 26, 1996, and was publicly identified posthumously.

George Joseph Schumacher

• Accused
  

A 1983 allegation stated that George Joseph Schumacher plied a thirteen-year-old boy with alcohol and sexually molested him during a campout. He was permanently removed from ministry in 2003, though he had been reassigned to a parish in 1996. His case was addressed through diocesan action rather than criminal court.

Julia

• Accused
  

A member of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, Sister Julia worked at the Good Shepherd Home from 1950 to 1951. She was later included on the Diocese of Covington’s list of individuals with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse.

Michael

• Accused
  

Identified only by the name Michael, this individual worked at the Good Shepherd Home from 1950 to 1951. He was publicly listed by the Diocese of Covington on July 31, 2020 as having substantiated allegations of sexual abuse.

Reparata

• Accused
  

A member of the Sisters of Divine Providence, Sister Reparata worked at St. Bernard Elementary School from 1958 to 1966. She was later included on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy and religious with substantiated allegations. She died on March 16, 1987.

Mark A. Steidle

• Accused
  

After allegations of inappropriate touching of a minor, Mark A. Steidle was removed from ministry and placed in the RECON Wounded Brothers Project. He did not return to active service and died in 2009 while under restriction.

Terrance

• Sued
  

A civil lawsuit filed in October 2002 alleged that Sister Terrance, a Benedictine nun whose given name was not identified, fondled a former student nun in 1959 or 1960 at St. Walburg Convent. The same plaintiff alleged additional abuse by other nuns at Villa Madonna Academy and during her first year at St. Walburg Monastery. The plaintiff left religious life in 1971, and the claims proceeded through civil litigation.

Richard Strathern

• Accused
  

Public disclosure occurred when Richard Strathern was included on the Diocese of Covington’s list of individuals with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. He served at Covington Catholic High School from 1966 to 1972 before withdrawing from his religious order on April 16, 1973. No criminal proceedings are recorded in connection with the allegations.

Leo Francis Trimbur

• Accused
  

Ordained for the Diocese of Covington, Leo Francis Trimbur was later incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington when it was created in 1988. He was publicly identified on the Covington diocese’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations of abuse. Trimbur died on February 23, 2004.

Robert Anthony Wendeln

• Accused
  

Robert Anthony Wendeln left the Diocese of Covington in 1968. Decades later, he was publicly named on the diocese’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. He died on January 1, 1987. The disclosure followed diocesan review rather than court proceedings.

Paul Volk Wethington

• Accused
  

Ordained for the Diocese of Covington, Paul Volk Wethington was incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington upon its creation in 1988. He was later included on the Covington diocese’s July 31, 2020 list of individuals with substantiated allegations. Wethington died on May 6, 1998.

Joseph Wilhelm

• Accused
  

A member of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Joseph Wilhelm taught at Newport Catholic High School from 1963 to 1977. He was later publicly identified as accused by the Diocese of Covington in its July 31, 2020 disclosure of substantiated allegations. No criminal prosecution is recorded.

George Robert Witt

• Accused
  

Serving as a parish priest, teacher, and Navy chaplain, George Robert Witt retired to Palm Beach, Florida on July 1, 1988. He was later named on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of clergy with substantiated allegations of abuse. Witt died on May 25, 2004.

Paul Aloysius Wolfzorn

• Accused
  

Paul Aloysius Wolfzorn was publicly identified on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of individuals with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. His ministry occurred prior to his death on August 31, 1988. No criminal or civil proceedings occurred during his lifetime.

Irwin Charles Wolke

• Accused
  

Included on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list, Irwin Charles Wolke was later also named on the Diocese of Lexington’s August 2020 list. He served in assignments within Lexington between 1960 and 1965. Wolke died on December 14, 1978, and disclosure occurred posthumously.

David Harry Zaumeyer

• Accused
  

David Harry Zaumeyer served as a parish priest, teacher, and Kentucky State Police chaplain before leaving active ministry in 1973. He later married and lived as a layman. He was publicly identified on the Diocese of Covington’s July 31, 2020 list of those with substantiated allegations. Zaumeyer died on May 1, 1983.

Diocese of Lexington KY

William J. Fedders

• Sued
  

A civil lawsuit followed allegations that William J. Fedders sexually abused a fourteen-year-old eighth grader and altar boy on three occasions in 1983 at Christ the King Parish in Lexington. The diocese offered counseling support, after which the accuser filed suit. The matter was addressed through civil litigation rather than criminal prosecution.

Stephen Francis Gallenstein

• Settled
  

Originally ordained for the Diocese of Covington, Stephen Francis Gallenstein was incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington when it was established in 1988. He was permanently removed from ministry in 2003 following allegations of sexual abuse. The Vatican later asked him to pursue laicization, and the claims were resolved through settlement.

Edward Francis Murray

• Sued
  

Edward Francis Murray was named in a civil lawsuit filed in 2002 that alleged sexual abuse by multiple priests. The suit also named both the Covington and Lexington dioceses. Murray died on April 13, 1996, years before the litigation was filed, and the claims proceeded as part of broader civil action.

Balthasar John Modica

• Settled
  

Repeated warnings about Balthasar John Modica’s conduct preceded allegations that he sexually abused a teenage boy in the mid-1970s. He retired from ministry in 2000 and was later included on the Diocese of Covington’s list of individuals with substantiated allegations. The matter was resolved through settlement.

Leonard Bernard Nienaber

• Convicted
  

Ordained for the Diocese of Covington when it encompassed Lexington, Leonard Bernard Nienaber served at Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Lexington from 1960 to 1979. Indicted in 1993 at age eighty-six, he was convicted in 1994 on ten counts involving sexual abuse of up to eighteen minors and received a ten-year probated sentence with placement at St. Jean Vianney Renewal Center. He died on November 19, 2006, and was later listed by both Covington and Lexington dioceses.

William George Poole

• Settled
  

Ordained for the Diocese of Covington, William George Poole was incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington when it was established in 1988. He was placed on leave for approximately one year in 2002 following concerns related to misconduct. In 2003, an allegation of sexual abuse was raised, and the matter was addressed through settlement. Despite the allegation, Poole was reinstated to ministry in 2004 under diocesan authority.

Carl Casper Schaffer

• Accused

Later in life, Carl Casper Schaffer was questioned about decades-old allegations involving abuse of brothers at Good Shepherd in Frankfort during the 1960s and 1970s. Ordained for the Diocese of Covington, he retired in 1989 and opened Padre House for troubled teenage boys in southeastern Kentucky. He died by suicide on July 3, 1993, one day after questioning. He was listed by Covington in July 2020 and Lexington in August 2020.

Diocese of Owensboro KY

Gerald H. Baker

• Accused
  

Serving as pastor of St. Mary of the Woods in Whitesville, Kentucky beginning in June 2012, Gerald H. Baker was later suspended after allegations surfaced that he sexually abused a minor. The accusations concerned conduct occurring years earlier and led to his removal from ministry. In April 2019, the Diocese of Owensboro publicly identified Baker on its list of priests with substantiated allegations.

Joseph J. Alexander

• Accused
  

Prior to his service in Kentucky, Joseph J. Alexander was placed on leave by the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana in 2002 following an allegation that he sexually abused a teenage boy in the early 1960s. The conduct was alleged to have occurred before ordination while he was a Benedictine brother. Alexander acknowledged involvement in the incident, and the allegation was later deemed substantiated.

Freddie Byrd

• Reinstated
  

Public attention focused on Freddie Byrd in 2008 after a twenty-three-year-old man died by suicide outside Byrd’s former parish, Blessed Mother, leaving writings describing pain linked to sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. Byrd was later reinstated to ministry. The incident prompted review but did not result in criminal charges or civil litigation against him.

Delma Clemons

• Settled
  

Accused alongside two other priests of sexually abusing a girl during the 1960s, Delma Clemons was named in a civil claim resolved through a $41,000 settlement with the Diocese of Owensboro in 1999. The victim later died by suicide in 2003. The settlement concluded the matter without criminal prosecution.

Walter A. Hancock

• Accused
  

Walter A. Hancock was publicly identified in April 2019 when the Diocese of Owensboro released a list of clergy with substantiated allegations. The diocesan disclosure stated that multiple allegations against him had been reviewed and deemed substantiated. No criminal proceedings are recorded, and the disclosure followed internal review.

J. Gilbert Henninger

• Accused
  

Although no allegations surfaced during his lifetime, multiple claims of sexual abuse involving J. Gilbert Henninger were received after his death in 1990. The Diocese of Owensboro later reviewed the information and determined the allegations to be substantiated, leading to his public identification in diocesan disclosures.

John R. Meredith

• Accused
  

Initially placed on medical leave in early December 2013, John R. Meredith was later removed from ministry the same month after credible accusations of inappropriate conduct with a minor emerged. The case was formally closed in 2014, though Meredith remained on leave. No criminal charges are documented.

Joseph J. Pilger

• Convicted
  

Ordained for the Diocese of Covington, Joseph J. Pilger pleaded guilty to sexually abusing three brothers and their cousin during the 1960s. He received a sentence of five years’ probation. Years later, Pilger was murdered by a twenty-six-year-old man who had been living with him, ending any further legal proceedings.

Louis Francis Piskula

• Convicted
  

Following a 2012 grand jury indictment, Louis Francis Piskula was charged with first-degree sodomy involving a victim under twelve and first-degree sexual abuse. In 2014, he pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse and was sentenced to five years in prison. His conviction concluded the criminal case.

Richard M. Powers

• Settled
  

Richard M. Powers was accused with two other priests of sexually abusing a girl during the 1960s. Although a settlement was initially reached with the diocese, the victim’s family later returned the funds and filed suit, asserting the victim lacked capacity to enter the agreement. The dispute proceeded through civil court.

John Speaks

• Accused
  

Identified publicly as accused in April 2019, John Speaks had left active ministry years earlier and worked in the banking sector for approximately fifteen years without using clerical titles. The Diocese of Owensboro listed him among priests with substantiated allegations following internal review.

Robert Carroll Wheatley

• Accused
  

Robert Carroll Wheatley was first publicly identified as accused in April 2019 by the Diocese of Owensboro. In August 2021, he was also included on the Diocese of Fresno’s list of credibly accused clergy, reflecting allegations connected to service in multiple jurisdictions.

Henry Wieder

• Accused
  

Henry Wieder left active ministry in 2003. He was later publicly identified by the Diocese of Owensboro in April 2019 as a priest with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. The disclosure followed diocesan review, with no criminal conviction recorded.

Joseph Robert Willett

• Settled
  

Accused of sexually abusing a girl during the 1960s, Joseph Robert Willett was involved in a civil settlement with the Diocese of Owensboro. The victim’s family later returned the settlement funds and filed suit, contending the victim lacked capacity to consent to the agreement. The matter proceeded through civil litigation.

About Clergy Abuse in Any Religious Order

Clergy abuse is the inappropriate sexual behavior by church officials toward an adult or child. Sex abuse has long-lasting and profound impacts on the victims, regardless of age. Adult and child sexual abuse causes emotional, spiritual, and psychological trauma that can take years to overcome.

Reporting clergy abuse to the Kentucky state police and other entities is difficult for many, but it’s the first step in getting justice and an abuser behind bars. The legal process for clergy abuse, including sexual abuse, in Kentucky generally involves reporting the abuse to the police, filing a complaint, hiring a trusted clergy abuse attorney, gathering evidence, and negotiating to settle or go to trial.

Legal Support for Survivors in Kentucky

Injury Lawyer Team are here to provide comprehensive legal services to survivors of clergy abuse in Kentucky.

Our legal team has experience and knowledge on how to handle sensitive sexual abuse cases with professionalism and the utmost compassion. Our combination of compassion and experience allows us to be an ally for survivors seeking justice against anyone in the public ministry, such as an associate pastor.

What Laws Govern Priest Abuse in Kentucky?

In an effort to help sexual abuse survivors seek justice and prevent abuse, Kentucky has implemented various laws and regulations. Kentucky has statutes of limitations surrounding a civil suit related to sexual abuse.

Statute of Limitations to File Suit Against An Accused Priest

According to the Kentucky statute of limitations, victims have until 28 years old or ten years from the date they determined the behavior was abuse to file a suit. In addition to this, they’ve extended the statute of limitations for criminal suits, which gives survivors more time to bring charges against their abuser.

Mandatory Reporting Laws

Kentucky also has mandatory reporting laws in place under its Kentucky Unified Juvenile Code. This requires anyone to report suspected abuse of a minor to the appropriate authorities. Although the law states that anyone is required to report suspected abuse, it further specifies that certain professionals are required to report abuse.

For example, school employees, clergy, teachers, healthcare workers, therapists, dentists, and other professionals in contact with children.

Professionals or people who notice the signs of abuse and fail to report it can face criminal charges. For example, if the staff at Lexington Catholic High School knew about abuse and did not file a report, they can also face a civil claim.

Clergy must also file a report if they have knowledge of abuse or neglect, and Kentucky law does not make an exception for information obtained during confession.

Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Kentucky

When a survivor is ready to come forward and file a lawsuit about sexual misconduct by a credibly accused clergy member, there are several steps that need to be taken:

• First Consultation with an Attorney: You’ll choose a law firm and attorney with experience with these types of cases for your initial consultation. They’ll hear your case and then determine the best way to proceed with getting justice.
• Investigation into the Abuse: This involves gathering as much evidence of the abuse as possible. Evidence includes any documents and testimonies that will help build a strong case. We may look into other cases if there are multiple allegations deemed substantiated against the same person or religious order. Multiple allegations against one person can mean that other victims may be willing ot testify on your behalf.
• Officially Filing the Lawsuit: You’ll officially have your lawsuit filed against the accused individual.
• Discovery Process: Both sides of the lawsuit will go over evidence and information surrounding the case.
• Settlement Negotiations or Trial: Your attorney and the other party’s attorney will attempt to come to a fair settlement outside of court. If they can’t, then the case will proceed to trial.

Injury Lawyer Team is prepared to hear your case and guide you along the way until you receive the settlement you deserve.

Support Resources for Survivors in Kentucky

Kentucky has various support resources for survivors of clergy abuse. Survivors can take advantage of specialized counseling services, crisis hotlines, and support groups to help them emotionally after the abuse. Some are state-wide, and others can be specific to certain cities:

• Rape Crisis Center of Central Kentucky
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-565-4673
• Kentucky Association of Sexual Assult Programs (KASAP)

The Louisville, KY, archdiocese, and other dioceses throughout the state also offer support services in the form of victim advocates and counseling.

Notable Cases and Outcomes in Kentucky

The Lexington Diocese has released a list of priests accused of abuse. Many of these priests and clergy members have already passed away or resigned from their positions, but these are some of the most notable cases and outcomes:

• James K. Williams: Williams is a lifelong Catholic, attending St. Mary High School before pursuing a career within the Catholic Church. He is an accused priest with multiple allegations of abuse of minors in the 1980s. He resigned in 2002 after the accusations came to light, and the case was sent to the Vatican for investigation in 2019.
• Joseph Hemmerle: Hemmerle allegedly has multiple victims who have come forward after experiencing abuse while he worked at Trinity High School. He was charged with sex abuse and sodomy in 2014 and was convicted on one count of indecent or immoral practices with a child.
• Joseph E. Bradley: Bradley was the dean of students and principal of Owensboro Catholic High School in the 1980s. After allegations of abuse, he was suspended in 2019 as they came to light. The Owensboro Diocesean review board deemed these as substantiated allegations, but the Vatican reinstated him. He has never faced criminal charges.

Attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team have reviewed public and private settlement data related to Kentucky clergy abuse settlements. Depending on the circumstances pertaining to your sexual abuse case, settlements can be in the $400,000 – $950,000 range. If your case goes before a jury or in the event of extreme misconduct, settlements might be $1 million or more.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team

If you or someone you love has dealt with sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, Injury Lawyer Team is the firm you can trust. We’ll work tirelessly with you to hear your case, gather the evidence to build a strong case, and help fight for the justice you want.

Our legal team has extensive experience handling child sexual abuse cases and other types of abuse cases. With our proven track record of securing settlements for our clients while maintaining a high level of compassion, you can see how committed to justice we are. Whether it’s a priest in the Lexington diocese or somewhere else in Kentucky, our sexual abuse law firm has your back. Contact us today.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.