Montana Priests Accused of Abuse

Clergy sexual abuse is a big issue in Montana Dioceses, with more victims coming out with their sexual abuse claims in recent years. Injury Lawyer Team is dedicated to working with child sexual abuse survivors to get the justice they deserve.

Victims often hesitate to report their cases due to the stress and trauma after the alleged priest sexual abuse occurred and the lengthy legal process. We are committed to making the process easier for abuse victims so that the perpetrators are held accountable.

Montana Catholic Diocese Priest Sex Abuse List

Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT

Berthold Ascher

• Accused
  

A Capuchin brother, Ascher was publicly identified by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018 in its disclosure of clergy associated with abuse allegations. He died in May 1967. His name also appears on the St. Joseph Province Capuchins’ list of individuals with substantiated allegations, reflecting acknowledgment across both diocesan and order-level reviews.

Anthony M. Brown

• Accused
  

Brown, a monsignor and priest of the Diocese of Helena, was publicly listed by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018. His clerical work included service in Great Falls at some point during his career. The allegation was acknowledged through diocesan disclosure rather than contemporaneous disciplinary action.

Martin Burke

• Accused
  

Burke was included on the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings’ list issued August 21, 2018 identifying clergy accused of sexual abuse. His name appeared as part of the diocese’s retrospective review of cases, without further detail regarding assignments or outcomes made public in the disclosure.

John Joseph Brown

• Accused
  

Brown, a Jesuit priest, was identified by the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province through its reorganization disclosures listing members connected to abuse claims filed in bankruptcy proceedings. His inclusion reflected allegations not denied by him and acknowledged through the order’s internal accounting of abuse cases.

William M. Cawley

• Sued
  

Cawley, a priest from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was accused in a civil suit of sexually abusing a child in the early 1970s. An independent investigation later determined the allegation lacked credibility. His name nevertheless appeared in civil litigation connected to abuse claims involving the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings.

Arnold L. Custer

• Accused
  

Custer was named publicly by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018 and later included on the Jesuits West list in December 2018. He died on March 2, 1969. The allegation was documented posthumously through coordinated disclosures by the diocese and the Jesuit order.

Father O’Reilly

• Sued
  

O’Reilly was named in a civil lawsuit filed by ten plaintiffs in February alleging abuse during their minority. One male plaintiff alleged abuse while attending St. Xavier’s Mission and Bellarmine Prep School. The claim was addressed through civil litigation rather than criminal prosecution.

Dennis Druggan

• Accused
  

Druggan was removed as president and rector of St. Lawrence Seminary High School following allegations that he sexually assaulted a minor at St. Labre Indian School in Ashland during the mid- to late-1980s. He denied the allegation. The action ended his leadership role within the institution.

James Gleason

• Accused
  

A Capuchin brother known as Jim, Gleason was publicly identified by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018. Earlier records noted that he was granted a sabbatical for studies in 1982. The allegation was formally acknowledged decades after his active service.

John Haligowski

• Accused
  

Haligowski appeared on the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings’ August 21, 2018 list of clergy associated with abuse allegations. His inclusion reflected the diocese’s historical review process. No additional disciplinary or chronological details were released in the public summary.

Joseph S. Heretick

• Settled
  

Heretick was accused by a woman and a man of abuse occurring in the mid-1980s. His case was among those resolved through a global settlement in which the diocese agreed to pay $20 million to settle 86 abuse claims spanning the 1940s through the 1990s.

Charles Gorman

• Accused
  

Gorman was identified by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018 as a cleric accused of sexual abuse. His name appeared without accompanying assignment or disciplinary details, reflecting acknowledgment through diocesan disclosure rather than contemporaneous proceedings.

Sigfrieda Hettinger

• Accused
  

Hettinger, a School Sister of St. Francis of the St. Joseph Convent, was named by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings in its August 21, 2018 disclosure. She died in 2016 at age 87. The allegation was recorded after her death as part of the diocese’s historical accounting.

William A. Hogan

• Accused
  

Hogan was publicly listed by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018 in its compilation of clergy connected to abuse allegations. The disclosure did not specify dates or assignments, reflecting limited public detail beyond acknowledgment of the claim.

Leo F. Janson

• Accused
  

Janson, whose name was sometimes misspelled as Jansen, was included on the diocese’s August 21, 2018 list. He died in 2006. The allegation was formally recognized posthumously during the diocese’s review of historical misconduct cases.

Emmett Hoffmann

• Sued
  

Hoffmann was named in a civil suit brought by a member of the Cheyenne tribe alleging abuse. He had been assigned to St. Labre Mission School in Ashland beginning in 1954 and later left the order in 1993. The claim proceeded through civil litigation.

John Patrick Kendrigan

• Accused
  

Kendrigan was named publicly by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018. His ministry included work in Glendive, Jordan, Poplar, and Great Falls. He died on December 10, 1967 at age 50, decades before the allegation was disclosed.

Harvey D. Livix

• Accused
  

Livix was accused of sexual misconduct and subsequently left the priesthood. He later settled in Arizona. The allegation was acknowledged through diocesan disclosure, marking his separation from clerical ministry following the reported conduct.

Lothar Konrad Krauth

• Convicted
  

A German priest assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes in Great Falls, Krauth was found to possess a large quantity of child pornography on his computer. He was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison, resulting in permanent removal from clerical service.

Sister Catherine Kramer

• Accused
  

Kramer, a School Sister of St. Francis of the St. Joseph Convent, was first named publicly by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018. She served as principal of St. Paul’s Mission School on the Fort Belknap Reservation during her ministry.

Leonard A. Kohlman

• Accused
  

Kohlman was identified by the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province as a member associated with sexual abuse allegations. His name appeared on the order’s published list following its 2011 reorganization and public accounting of abuse cases involving Jesuit members.

Kevin J. Malee

• Charged
  

Malee was charged in 1987 with two counts of deviant sexual conduct, involving alleged assaults of a 15-year-old over a two-year period. The case highlighted undisclosed diocesan archive records related to the allegations and criminal proceedings.

Kirk C. Morgan

• Accused
  

Morgan was named publicly by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018. His inclusion followed the diocese’s review of historical abuse allegations. No further details regarding assignments or outcomes were included in the public disclosure.

Thomas McTague

• Accused
  

McTague appeared on the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings’ August 21, 2018 list of accused clergy. He died on April 27, 2008. The allegation was formally acknowledged after his death during the diocese’s retrospective reporting process.

Clarence Moreau

• Sued
  

Born Clarence Talks Different and raised on the Fort Belknap Reservation, Moreau later became a Jesuit brother working on the reservation. He was accused of sexually abusing four children at St. Paul in Hays between 1959 and 1971, leading to civil litigation.

Joseph Mikulich

• Accused
  

In 1985, a woman reported that Mikulich sexually abused her from ages 12 to 21 during the 1970s. At the time, diocesan officials declined to assist her and did not inform Mikulich, who was then 87, of the allegation.

Emmett Neville

• Accused
  

Neville was named publicly by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018 as a cleric associated with an abuse allegation. The disclosure did not include additional information regarding his assignments or the timing of the reported conduct.

Joseph T. Papes

• Accused
  

Papes was included on the diocese’s August 21, 2018 list of accused clergy. He died on October 26, 2006 in Michigan. The allegation was recorded posthumously as part of the diocese’s historical review.

James J. Reilly

• Accused
  

Reilly was named publicly by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018 and later appeared on the Diocese of Fargo’s list in January 2020. The allegations were described as substantiated. He died in 1990.

Carl Pulvermacher

• Accused
  

Pulvermacher was identified by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018 in its disclosure of accused clergy. He died on May 29, 2006. The allegation was formally acknowledged years after his death through diocesan reporting.

James Reynolds

• Sued
  

A civil lawsuit filed in February 2012 by a group of ten plaintiffs included one woman who alleged she was sexually abused as a minor while Reynolds was assigned in Wolf Point, Montana. The claim was part of broader litigation addressing abuse connected to diocesan assignments. Reynolds was subsequently included on the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings public list released on August 21, 2018, identifying clerics associated with abuse allegations.

Sabel

• Accused
  

A member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Indiana, Sabel was identified publicly by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018 as associated with an allegation of abuse. She died on July 20, 1980. No assignment details or dates of alleged misconduct were included in the diocesan disclosure accompanying her name on the list.

John I. Ryan

• Sued
  

In 2017, a civil lawsuit was filed alleging that Ryan sexually abused minors connected to St. Paul Mission. The claims formed part of litigation addressing historical abuse at mission sites within the diocese. The lawsuit named diocesan authorities alongside individual clergy, with allegations focused on abuse occurring during Ryan’s period of assignment connected to the mission community.

Edmund J. Robinson

• Sued
  

Robinson was accused of sexually abusing a girl in 1963 while assigned to St. Ignatius Mission within the Helena diocese and of raping at least nine children on Indian reservations during the 1950s and 1960s. Multiple allegations were raised in civil litigation naming him among clergy accused of extensive abuse. Robinson died in 2014, prior to the resolution of related lawsuits.

Patrick F. Savage

• Accused
  

Savage was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018 and was also included on the Jesuits West list published on December 7, 2018. He died on September 15, 1965. The disclosures identified him as associated with abuse allegations arising from his period of religious service, without detailing specific assignments or dates.

Benno

• Accused
  

A School Sister of St. Francis of St. Joseph Convent, Benno was listed publicly by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018 as associated with an allegation of abuse. The diocesan summary did not include assignment history, dates of alleged misconduct, or disciplinary outcomes beyond her inclusion on the public accounting of cases.

Frederick Simoneau

• Sued
  

In 2017, five plaintiffs filed a civil lawsuit alleging that Simoneau repeatedly abused them as children while they were associated with St. Paul Mission in Hays, Montana. The claims described a pattern of abuse occurring during his assignment at the mission. The litigation was part of broader actions addressing historical abuse tied to mission schools and clergy.

Charissma

• Accused
  

Charissma, a School Sister of St. Francis of St. Joseph Convent, was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018. Her inclusion appeared in the diocese’s disclosure of historical cases involving religious personnel. No further biographical details or timelines accompanied the listing.

Christine

• Accused
  

Christine, also a School Sister of St. Francis of St. Joseph Convent, was identified publicly by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018 as associated with an abuse allegation. The diocesan release did not specify assignments, dates, or outcomes related to the allegation beyond her placement on the list.

Mary

• Accused
  

Mary, a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis of St. Joseph Convent, was included on the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings list published August 21, 2018. Her name appeared among religious sisters identified in connection with abuse allegations. No additional contextual information was provided in the diocesan summary.

Regina

• Accused
  

Regina, a School Sister of St. Francis of St. Joseph Convent, was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018. The disclosure listed her among religious personnel associated with allegations, without detailing assignments, dates, or disciplinary measures.

Vonnie

• Accused
  

Vonnie, also a School Sister of St. Francis of St. Joseph Convent, was included on the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings public list released August 21, 2018. The listing identified her as associated with an abuse allegation but did not include further biographical or chronological detail.

Theodore F. Szudera

• Sued
  

Szudera was named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit filed by ten accusers alleging sexual abuse during his time as a priest assigned in Livingston, Montana. The suit formed part of broader litigation addressing historical abuse by clergy within the diocese. The allegations focused on misconduct during parish-based ministry.

Andrew J. Zarek

• Accused
  

Monsignor Andrew J. Zarek was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings on August 21, 2018. He retired from ministry in 1982 and died on December 30, 1988. His inclusion on the diocesan list identified him as associated with abuse allegations arising from his period of clerical service.

Diocese of Helena MT

Joseph A. Balfe

• Sued
  

Multiple plaintiffs accused Balfe of sexually abusing students at St. Ignatius Mission Boarding School on the Flathead Indian Reservation during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was named in five separate complaints consolidated into a 2011 civil lawsuit addressing abuse connected to mission schools. The claims focused on misconduct occurring during his period of assignment at the boarding school.

James Barry

• Sued
  

Barry was identified as a credibly accused sexual abuser and was listed publicly on the Diocese of Helena website as part of disclosures required under the diocesan bankruptcy settlement. The listing acknowledged substantiated allegations connected to his clerical service, without detailing specific assignments or dates of abuse within the summary released by the diocese.

Harry Butori

• Settled
  

Accusations of sexual abuse of at least one minor were raised against Butori, leading to inclusion on the Diocese of Helena’s public list posted April 29, 2015 under the non-monetary terms of the March 5, 2015 bankruptcy settlement. He died on April 14, 2005. The disclosure identified him as associated with substantiated claims resolved through settlement.

Rudolph Bullman

• Charged
  

Bullman was arrested on December 11 after an investigation uncovered images of nude underage boys on his computer and game console. He was placed on leave without clerical privileges and pleaded not guilty. The case resulted in a sentence of three years of deferred adjudication, reflecting criminal charges tied to possession of illegal material rather than parish-based allegations.

Kevin L. Christofferson

• Unsubstantiated
  

Ordained for the Diocese of Great Falls, Christofferson served in parishes in Butte for many years before being placed on leave in 2022. Allegations were reviewed and ultimately classified as unsubstantiated. His status reflected administrative action without confirmation of misconduct following the diocesan review process.

John Delane

• Settled
  

Delane was accused of sexually abusing at least one minor and was included on the Diocese of Helena’s list published April 29, 2015 pursuant to the diocesan bankruptcy settlement. He died on January 30, 1971. The listing identified his case as resolved within the settlement framework without additional assignment or disciplinary detail.

Harry Delaney

• Accused
  

Delaney was publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Helena on April 29, 2015. His assignments included parishes in Anaconda, Butte, Eureka, Kalispell, and service at a hospital in Deer Lodge. He died on March 11, 1957. Allegations were disclosed posthumously as part of the diocese’s historical accounting.

Augustine M. Dimier

• Accused
  

Born in 1864, Dimier was accused of sexually abusing at least one minor and was included on the Diocese of Helena’s public list released April 29, 2015. He died in 1950. The disclosure associated his name with substantiated allegations arising from his period of clerical service in the diocese.

Ignatius J. Dumbeck

• Sued
  

Dumbeck was identified in civil litigation in which forty-five plaintiffs sued the Ursuline Order and the Diocese of Helena, alleging abuse by a priest referred to as Father Dimmick. The lawsuit addressed abuse connected to mission and school settings, with claims spanning multiple decades and involving numerous victims.

Father Sullivan

• Sued
  

In a September 2011 civil lawsuit filed by forty-five plaintiffs against the Ursuline Order and the Diocese of Helena, Sullivan was accused of sexual abuse of minors. The claims formed part of broader litigation addressing abuse at mission schools and religious institutions operated under diocesan authority.

Joseph Finnegan

• Acquitted
  

Finnegan was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Helena on April 29, 2015, with the disclosure noting that criminal accusations resulted in acquittal. He retired from ministry on July 1, 2002. His inclusion reflected acknowledgment of allegations alongside documented judicial outcomes.

Louis J. Geis

• Accused
  

Geis was accused of sexually abusing at least one minor and was included on the Diocese of Helena’s list posted April 29, 2015 under the terms of the bankruptcy settlement. He died on July 8, 1994. The disclosure associated him with substantiated allegations arising from his clerical service.

George Ferguson

• Sued
  

Known as Father Fergie, Ferguson was named as an abuser in an amended civil lawsuit filed by multiple plaintiffs against the Diocese of Helena and the Ursuline Order of Nuns. He died in 1986 and was presumed murdered. The claims connected him to abuse occurring during his period of religious assignment.

A. M. D. Gillen

• Settled
  

Ordained in Canada, Gillen was accused of sexually abusing at least one minor and was included among cases resolved through the Helena diocesan bankruptcy settlement. He died on July 30, 1987. His listing reflected acknowledgment of substantiated allegations addressed within settlement proceedings.

Rene Gallant

• Settled
  

Known as Brother Charlie Gallant, he was accused of abusing at least twenty-eight individuals and was identified as one of the ten most prolific abusers in the Jesuits’ 2011 settlement totaling $166 million involving more than five hundred plaintiffs. Assigned to St. Ignatius Mission from 1940 to 1975, his case was included in the Helena Diocese disclosures following the bankruptcy settlement.

Daniel B. Harrington

• Settled
  

Following an allegation of sexual abuse involving at least one minor, Harrington was included on the Diocese of Helena’s public disclosure list posted April 29, 2015, issued under the non-monetary terms of the March 5, 2015 bankruptcy settlement. His case was resolved through settlement rather than litigation. Harrington died on November 23, 1997, prior to the publication of the diocesan list.

Robert J. Hartman

• Settled
  

Hartman was accused of sexually abusing at least one minor and was included on the Diocese of Helena’s list released April 29, 2015 in connection with the diocesan bankruptcy settlement. The disclosure identified him among clerics whose cases were resolved through settlement. He died on August 12, 1996, with the allegations acknowledged publicly after his death.

Bernard A. Harris

• Settled
  

Known as Father Harry Harris, a Jesuit, he was accused of raping four of eight siblings in Oregon and was also named as an abuser of at least one child at St. Ignatius Mission in Montana. His conduct was addressed in a September 2011 civil lawsuit involving mission-related abuse. Harris’s case was included within settlement proceedings tied to broader institutional litigation.

Daniel B. Hillen

• Accused
  

Hillen was accused of sexually abusing at least one minor and was included on the Diocese of Helena’s public list posted April 29, 2015. The disclosure placed his name among clergy associated with substantiated allegations acknowledged during the diocesan bankruptcy process. He died on July 19, 2003, before the public release of the list.

Mother Loyola Karges

• Settled
  

Serving as supervisor of the boys’ dormitory at St. Ignatius Mission Boarding School, Mother Loyola Karges was accused of abusing at least twenty-four individuals. Her conduct was addressed as part of the Jesuits’ 2011 global settlement totaling $166 million, which resolved claims brought by more than five hundred plaintiffs connected to mission schools and affiliated institutions.

John P. Kerrigan

• Accused
  

Kerrigan was accused of sexually abusing at least one minor and was included on the Diocese of Helena’s disclosure list posted April 29, 2015, issued under the terms of the diocesan bankruptcy settlement. His name was associated with substantiated allegations acknowledged by the diocese. Kerrigan died on July 21, 1984.

Paul Kirchen

• Accused
  

Allegations of sexual abuse involving at least one minor led to Kirchen’s inclusion on the Diocese of Helena’s public list released April 29, 2015. The disclosure formed part of the diocese’s bankruptcy-related accounting of historical abuse. Kirchen died on April 19, 1989, with the allegations formally acknowledged decades later.

Emmett F. Lowney

• Accused
  

Lowney was accused of sexually abusing at least one minor and was listed on the Diocese of Helena’s website on April 29, 2015. His inclusion reflected substantiated allegations recognized through the diocesan bankruptcy process. He died on July 31, 1975, long before the public disclosure of his case.

Bernard J. McCarthy

• Accused
  

McCarthy was accused of sexually abusing at least one minor and was included on the Diocese of Helena’s public list issued April 29, 2015. His name also appeared among cases addressed through the diocesan bankruptcy settlement. He died on September 16, 2003, with the allegations acknowledged posthumously.

Egon Mallman

• Accused
  

Mallman was included on the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province list identifying perpetrators of sexual abuse as part of a non-monetary commitment under the bankruptcy settlement. While no specific details regarding victims or assignments were released in the summary, his inclusion signified acknowledgment of substantiated allegations connected to his service.

James W. McCormick

• Accused
  

McCormick was accused of sexually abusing at least one minor and was listed on the Diocese of Helena’s website on April 29, 2015. The disclosure occurred under the non-monetary terms of the diocesan bankruptcy settlement and placed his name among clergy associated with substantiated historical abuse allegations.

Sister Bernadette

• Accused
  

Sister Bernadette was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Helena on April 29, 2015. She was assigned at some point between 1940 and 1975 to St. Ignatius Mission, a period later scrutinized for widespread abuse. Her inclusion reflected acknowledgment of substantiated allegations connected to mission operations.

Sister Catherine

• Accused
  

A member of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Sister Catherine was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Helena on April 29, 2015. She worked at the Good Shepherd Home, where allegations of abuse were later substantiated. Her case was disclosed as part of the diocesan bankruptcy-related accountability process.

Sister Marie Clement

• Accused
  

Marie Clement was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Helena on April 29, 2015. She was assigned at some point between 1940 and 1975 to St. Ignatius Mission, a setting linked to extensive abuse claims. Her inclusion acknowledged substantiated allegations arising from that period of service.

Sister Grace

• Accused
  

Sister Grace was publicly identified as accused on the Diocese of Helena’s list released April 29, 2015. She was assigned to St. Ignatius Mission during the period from 1940 to 1975, later associated with numerous abuse claims. The disclosure reflected substantiated allegations recognized through the bankruptcy settlement process.

Sister Marianne

• Accused
  

Marianne was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Helena on April 29, 2015. She worked at St. Ignatius Mission during some portion of the period between 1940 and 1975. Her inclusion formed part of the diocese’s acknowledgment of substantiated abuse connected to mission-era operations.

Mother Henrietta

• Sued
  

A civil allegation asserted that Mother Henrietta abused a woman while she was a minor at St. Ignatius Mission on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The claim was filed alongside allegations against Mother Camilla and Sister John, forming part of litigation addressing abuse by religious personnel at the mission school.

Mother Camilla

• Sued
  

Mother Camilla was accused in a civil lawsuit alleging abuse of a minor at St. Ignatius Mission on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The allegation was included in a September 2011 civil suit filed by forty-five plaintiffs against the Ursuline Order and the Diocese of Helena, naming multiple nuns, priests, and religious brothers. She appeared on the diocese’s public list released April 29, 2015, identified as Sister Camilla, OSU.

Robert J. O’Donnell

• Sued
  

Multiple allegations described unpermitted and harmful sexual conduct involving a teenage boy during the mid-1980s. In 1985, he was placed on leave from ministry following the accusations. He later relocated to Hawaii and became pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Honolulu in 1989. The claims formed part of civil litigation naming him for misconduct occurring during his clerical assignments.

Joseph L. Obersinner

• Accused
  

An allegation of sexual abuse involving at least one minor was raised during his clerical career. After retirement, he resided with the Jesuit community at Gonzaga University in Spokane. He later died in Los Gatos, California. His name appeared in diocesan disclosures identifying clergy associated with abuse allegations connected to the Diocese of Helena.

Dusan Anthony Okom

• Accused
  

An allegation of sexual abuse of a minor led to his inclusion on the Diocese of Helena’s public list released April 29, 2015, as part of bankruptcy-related disclosures. He died on January 10, 2010. The listing reflected acknowledgment of the allegation without further ministerial reinstatement or public exoneration.

Martin H. Philipsen

• Accused
  

An allegation of sexual abuse of at least one minor was associated with assignments spanning multiple dioceses. His service included St. William’s Parish in Shelby, Montana from 1971 to 1978, and earlier teaching roles at Southeast Catholic High School in Green Bay from 1939 to 1943 and Central Catholic from 1943 to 1948.

Laurence Reuter

• Sued
  

She was named among individuals facing credible abuse allegations in civil lawsuits filed in 2011 against Montana dioceses. The claims involved abuse occurring at St. Ignatius Mission. Her inclusion reflected allegations connected to institutional settings addressed through coordinated litigation involving multiple plaintiffs and defendants.

Mother Cecelia Seymor

• Sued
  

Three allegations of abuse at St. Ignatius Mission on the Flathead Indian Reservation were attributed to her in a September 2011 civil lawsuit. The suit formed part of broader litigation involving multiple plaintiffs and religious personnel connected to the mission during the period in question.

Peter P. Pritzl

• Accused
  

An allegation of sexual abuse of at least one minor was recorded during his clerical tenure. He died on October 3, 1993. His name was included in diocesan disclosures identifying clergy associated with abuse allegations as part of historical accountability measures.

Sister Catherine

• Accused
  

Her name appeared on the Diocese of Helena’s public list released April 29, 2015, identifying individuals associated with abuse allegations. She was assigned at some point to St. Ignatius Mission on the Flathead Indian Reservation during the period spanning 1940 to 1975. No additional ministerial actions or outcomes were recorded in the disclosure accompanying her inclusion.

Sister Daniels

• Accused
  

Publicly identified by the Diocese of Helena on April 29, 2015, she was associated with abuse allegations tied to her time at St. Ignatius Mission. Her assignment there occurred at some point between 1940 and 1975. The diocesan disclosure did not detail subsequent disciplinary measures or further assignments following the allegation.

Sister Finbarr

• Accused
  

Named on the Diocese of Helena’s list published April 29, 2019, she was connected to allegations linked to service at St. Ignatius Mission on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Her assignment there fell within the 1940 to 1975 period. No additional biographical details or outcomes were provided in the public listing.

Sister Frances

• Accused
  

The Diocese of Helena publicly identified her on April 29, 2015, as associated with abuse allegations. She was assigned at some point to St. Ignatius Mission between 1940 and 1975. The disclosure noted her historical placement but did not describe investigative findings, disciplinary actions, or later ministerial status.

Sister Joan

• Sued
  

Allegations of abuse involving her were included in a September 2011 civil lawsuit filed against the Helena Diocese and the Ursuline Order. The suit, brought by 45 plaintiffs, described abuse occurring at St. Ignatius Mission on the Flathead Indian Reservation and named multiple nuns, priests, and a religious brother connected to the mission.

Sister John

• Accused
  

She was accused of abusing two children in a September 2011 civil lawsuit filed against the Ursuline Order and the Diocese of Helena. The allegations related to conduct at St. Ignatius Mission on the Flathead Indian Reservation and formed part of broader litigation involving numerous plaintiffs and religious personnel.

Glenniatoss

• Accused
  

Identified publicly on the Diocese of Helena’s April 29, 2015 list, this individual was associated with abuse allegations connected to work within the diocese. Her religious order was not specified in the disclosure. No further information regarding assignments, dates, or subsequent actions was included in the public accounting.

Sister Margaret

• Accused
  

The Diocese of Helena listed her publicly on April 29, 2015, in connection with abuse allegations. Her work included an assignment at St. Ignatius Mission during the period from 1940 to 1975. The disclosure did not outline investigative conclusions or later restrictions following the allegation.

Sister Martin

• Accused
  

Named publicly by the Diocese of Helena on April 29, 2015, she was associated with abuse allegations tied to service at St. Ignatius Mission between 1940 and 1975. The listing provided historical placement information without detailing disciplinary outcomes or subsequent ministerial status.

Sister Marion

• Sued
  

She was named in a civil lawsuit filed September 2011 against the Ursuline Order and the Diocese of Helena. The litigation involved multiple plaintiffs alleging abuse connected to St. Ignatius Mission on the Flathead Indian Reservation and encompassed claims against several nuns, priests, and religious staff.

Sister Mary Agnes Rose

• Accused
  

A member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she was publicly identified by the Diocese of Helena on April 29, 2015. Her work included an assignment at Immaculate Conception School in Butte. The diocesan disclosure did not specify dates of service or subsequent disciplinary actions.

Sister Mackey

• Accused
  

Listed publicly by the Diocese of Helena on April 29, 2015, she was associated with abuse allegations linked to work at St. Ignatius Mission during the 1940 to 1975 period. The disclosure included her name and assignment history without further detail regarding investigation or outcomes.

Sister Mary Victor

• Accused
  

A member of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, she was named on the Diocese of Helena’s April 29, 2015 list. Her service included work at St. Helena School in Helena. The public listing identified her affiliation and assignment but did not describe later restrictions or findings.

Sister Monica (St. Ignatius Mission)

• Accused
  

This individual was publicly identified by the Diocese of Helena on April 29, 2015, in connection with abuse allegations. Her work included an assignment at St. Ignatius Mission sometime between 1940 and 1975. No further details were provided regarding investigative conclusions or disciplinary actions.

Sister Monica (St. Margaret School)

• Accused
  

A separate individual of the same name, she was listed publicly by the Diocese of Helena on April 29, 2015. Her assignment included work at St. Margaret School in Cut Bank. The disclosure did not include additional biographical or outcome-related information.

Sister Richildus

• Accused
  

Named publicly by the Diocese of Helena on April 29, 2015, she was associated with abuse allegations tied to her work at St. Margaret School in Cut Bank. The listing reflected historical assignment information without detailing investigative processes or subsequent ministerial restrictions.

Sister Rita

• Accused
  

Her name appeared on the Diocese of Helena’s public list released April 29, 2015, identifying individuals associated with abuse allegations. She worked at St. Ignatius Mission on the Flathead Indian Reservation at some point between 1940 and 1975. The diocesan disclosure did not describe investigative findings, disciplinary measures, or later ministerial status following the allegation.

Sister Teresa

• Accused
  

Publicly identified by the Diocese of Helena on April 29, 2015, she was associated with abuse allegations connected to her service at St. Ignatius Mission. Her assignment there occurred sometime between 1940 and 1975. No additional information regarding restrictions, investigation outcomes, or subsequent assignments was included in the public listing.

Leonard J. Spraycar

• Accused
  

He was accused of sexually abusing at least one minor and was included on the Diocese of Helena’s list posted April 29, 2015, pursuant to the non-monetary terms of the March 5, 2015 bankruptcy settlement. Spraycar died on March 31, 1984. The disclosure did not provide details on assignments or disciplinary actions prior to his death.

Patrick N. Stimatz

• Accused
  

Stimatz was accused of sexual abuse of at least one minor and was listed on the Diocese of Helena’s public disclosure dated April 29, 2015, under the non-monetary terms of the bankruptcy settlement. He died on May 4, 1986. The listing did not specify locations of service or subsequent actions taken before his death.

Wilson F. Smart

• Settled
  

By 1959, Smart was known to diocesan authorities and admitted molesting more than 30 boys. He was named in at least three civil lawsuits that later settled and was included on the Diocese of Helena’s list published April 29, 2015. The disclosure reflected longstanding awareness of abuse and multiple resolved civil claims.

John Sorisio

• Sued
  

A woman alleged that Sorisio, identified as Brother “Seoriso,” abused her repeatedly as a child at St. Ignatius Mission on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Her allegations were included in civil litigation against the Ursuline Order and the Diocese of Helena. The claims formed part of broader lawsuits addressing abuse at the mission.

Louis J. Taelman

• Accused
  

Taelman was accused of sexual abuse of at least one minor and was included on the Diocese of Helena’s public list posted April 29, 2015, in compliance with the bankruptcy settlement terms. He died on December 24, 1961. No further details regarding assignments, investigations, or disciplinary outcomes were provided.

About Clergy Abuse

Clergy sexual abuse, particularly childhood sexual abuse, involves a religious figure exploiting their authority and the trust people place in them to sexually assault vulnerable individuals. Victims of child sexual abuse often suffer long-lasting trauma and psychological scars, with some never fully recovering.

If a clergy member witnesses or has good reason to suspect clergy sexual abuse or any form of sexual violence occurring in their Catholic church, it is important to report it immediately to law enforcement agencies as required by state law. Those who fail to report child sexual abuse at their Roman Catholic diocese risk penalties.

In Montana, the legal process for clergy abuse cases begins with filing a complaint, which leads to a criminal investigation and potential charges. Victims of child sexual abuse or priest sexual abuse can also pursue a civil lawsuit for damages, which involves evidence gathering, depositions, and potentially a trial.

Legal Support for Abuse Victims in Montana

We are a reputable firm fully committed to helping victims of clergy abuse get the legal aid they need. Our clergy sexual abuse law firm understands these cases’ impact on child sexual abuse survivors, and we maintain the highest standards of care and professionalism when dealing with them.

Victims are offered a free, confidential consultation and unending support in all matters related to filing lawsuits and court proceedings, including how to present alleged perpetrators.

What Laws Govern Priest Abuse Lawsuits in Montana?

Montana has specific laws and regulations about clergy sexual abuse cases. These laws are designed to provide guidelines detailing how long child sexual abuse victims have to file a civil lawsuit. Other laws detail who is required to report suspected abuse or neglect, including child sexual abuse.

Statute of Limitations for Childhood Sexual Abuse Claims

Under Montana’s new law, passed in 2019, victims of childhood sexual abuse have nine years from when they turn 18 or three years from discovering the impact of the abuse to file a lawsuit, whichever is later. The same time limits apply to institutions responsible for the victim’s child sexual abuse.

Mandatory Reporting Laws and the Catholic Church

In Montana, there are mandatory reporting laws. Officials, including clergy, are required to report child abuse to state authorities if they have reasonable cause to suspect it. Other mandated reporters, such as teachers and healthcare providers, are also required by law to report suspected child sexual abuse.

However, the Roman Catholic diocese doesn’t always have to report child sexual abuse, even if they know it happened. The law exempts clergy from reporting if the alleged abuse is disclosed during a confession, which is protected by the clergy-penitent privilege.

Members of the Roman Catholic diocese cannot tell anyone about things said during confession, even if a clergy member admits to childhood sexual abuse against someone still in the church.

Age of Consent

In Montana, the legal age of consent is 16. Sexual activity with a person under 16 is treated under Montana’s “sexual crimes” statutes, which include sexual assault (MCA 45-5-502) and sexual intercourse without consent (MCA 45-5-503).

Under these laws, a “victim” under 16 is considered necessarily incapable of consent (among other incapacity definitions), and there is an enhanced penalty when the offender is 4 or more years older than a minor under 16.

Montana law defines “consent” as “words or overt actions indicating a freely given agreement” and clarifies that a previous relationship or how someone dresses does not by itself demonstrate consent.

Montana law also states that everything must be considered when deciding if the person could consent, and several situations mean that a person cannot legally consent. These include situations in which a person is in a supervisory or authoritative position or is an employee at a community-based service or program.

These provisions include most clergy members, meaning that anyone underage cannot legally consent to sexual activity, making almost all cases childhood sexual abuse.

Filing a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against Accused Priests in Montana

Filing for a childhood sexual abuse lawsuit involves various steps, which can often overwhelm the victim. Injury Lawyer Team can help you through this process by providing the following services:

• Initial Consultation: We’ll discuss your case, understand your needs, and explain your legal options regarding your case, including cases regarding childhood sexual abuse or the Roman Catholic diocese.
• Evidence Collection: Our team will gather crucial evidence and documentation for your case, including medical records, witness statements, and other relevant materials. We may use files from the Roman Catholic diocese to see if other clergy members were victims of childhood sexual abuse, consider whether other accused priests worked at the church, or interview clergy members.
• Filing the Lawsuit: A formal complaint outlining the allegations and damages is filed in court. We’ll handle the official filing and all associated legal paperwork.
• Serving the Defendants: The complaint is served to the defendants, who must respond within a set period.
• Pre-Trial Proceedings: We’ll manage discovery, conduct depositions, and handle pre-trial motions efficiently. Often, depositions involve the Catholic priests accused of clergy abuse and their witnesses. They may include church officials or other victims of sexual assault if it’s a civil lawsuit involving more than one victim.
• Settlement Negotiations: We’ll work to negotiate a fair and just settlement for you outside of court.
• Trial: If a settlement isn’t reached outside of court, we will represent the victim during the trial.
• Post-Trial Support: We’ll provide ongoing support and assistance, such as post-trial motions or appeals, even after the trial ends.

If you or someone you know is a survivor of clergy sexual abuse, contact Injury Lawyer Team today for a confidential consultation to begin your journey toward justice and healing.

Support Resources for Abuse Survivors in Montana

Clergy abuse survivors don’t have to suffer in silence. There are many legal and emotional support services in Montana to help them out:

• Beaverhead Community Support Center Hotline: 1-800-253-9811
• Big Horn YWCA Billings Hotline: 406-679-5145
• Blaine YWCA of Great Falls Hotline: 406-453-1018
• Broadwater The Friendship Center Hotline: 406-442-6800
• Carbon YWCA Billings Hotline: 406-245-4472
• Carbon Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS) Hotline: 406-425-2222
• Carter Custer Network Against Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault (CNADA) Hotline: 1-888-799-0542
• Cascade YWCA of Great Falls Hotline: 406-453-1018
• Cascade Voices of Hope Office: 1-406-268-1330
• Sexual Violence Prevention and Victim Services Program (SVPVS): Offers resources, support, and education to prevent sexual violence and assist survivors in their recovery. You can contact them at 406-444-3628.
• Montana Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence (MCADSV): A network of individuals and organizations collaborating to end domestic and sexual violence across Montana.

Notable Cases and Outcomes Against Abusive Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse in Montana

Our attorneys have reviewed public and private settlement data related to Montana clergy abuse settlements. Depending on the circumstances of your case, these cases may be fairly valued in the $400,000 to $950,000 range. In cases of extreme conduct or if that case were to go before a jury, damages could exceed $1 million.

Many religious figures in Montana have been named in sexual assault or clergy abuse cases from places like Francis Xavier Parish, St James Community Hospital, Butte Catholic Community North Parish, Mary Mission Parish, Immaculate Conception Parish, Ignatius Mission Parish, St Paul’s Mission School, York Catholic High School, and Lawrence Parish. The most notable cases were:

The Diocese of Helena Settlement

The Helena Diocese filed for bankruptcy in 2014 to address the cases of its catholic priests accused of sexual abuse. The bankruptcy court proceedings approved the settlement plan, which included over $21 million in compensation for approximately 360 clergy abuse victims, providing support while allowing the Roman Catholic Diocese to continue its operations.

Church officials also agreed to non-monetary terms as part of the settlement and have a contact line for reporting such cases.

Accused Clergy Members at The Diocese of Great Falls

The Great Falls-Billings Diocese filed for bankruptcy in 2017 due to numerous clergy members being accused of sexual abuse. This move was shrouded in controversy, and they had a lawsuit filed against them alleging that they had moved their assets to a non-profit organization.

The diocese used the bankruptcy proceedings on a settlement plan of $20 million for 86 victims and agreed to non-monetary terms. They also have a direct reporting system.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team

If you or someone you know has been a victim of clergy sexual abuse in Montana, the right law firm’s support can make all the difference. Choosing Injury Lawyer Team means choosing a team that will stand by you against sexual violence, fight for you, and help you find the path to healing and justice.

• Comprehensive Services: We handle all aspects of your case with professionalism and care.
• Experienced Team: Our attorneys have vast experience with clergy sexual abuse cases.
• Proven Results: We have secured significant settlements and verdicts for our clients.
• Commitment to Justice: We fight to hold abusers and protecting institutions accountable.

If you’re a clergy abuse survivor in Montana, you can reach out to us for a confidential consultation and filing a sexual abuse lawsuit.

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.