Washington DC Priests Accused of Abuse

In Washington, DC, the clergy abuse scandal involving the catholic church and its priests has left deep scars on sexual abuse survivors, especially in light of the numerous allegations of sexual abuse, impacting their lives profoundly.

Injury Lawyer Team is dedicated to supporting these sexual assault survivors, advocating for their rights, and pursuing justice against perpetrators and institutions responsible for their egregious acts of abuse.

Washington DC Catholic Diocese Priest Sex Abuse List

Archdiocese for the Military Services, Washington DC

Owen John Melody

• Convicted
  

A Navy chaplain, Melody was convicted of sexually abusing a girl over a three-year period. He received a sentence of twenty years, fully suspended, along with ten years of probation and five years of mandatory therapy. The criminal case established sustained abuse during his military chaplaincy and resulted in long-term court supervision rather than incarceration.

Salvatore F. Bucca

• Accused
  

Bucca was first named publicly as accused on the Archdiocese of Washington’s list released October 15, 2018. An allegation reported in 1978 described conduct characterized as possibly sexual. He was removed from ministry in 1978, and no further assignments or clerical faculties were documented after his removal.

John F.X. Bellwoar

• Accused
  

A Jesuit priest, Bellwoar was publicly identified as accused of sexually abusing minors during the 1950s and 1960s. The allegations involved locations in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and Washington, DC. His name appeared on the archdiocese’s public disclosure list without reference to criminal proceedings or later ministerial status.

Lawrence Bell

• Sued
  

Bell was accused in a lawsuit filed in October 2023 of sexually abusing a boy during the 1990s at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The complaint also alleged related abuse at the parish by another cleric. Bell was suspended from ministry pending investigation following the filing of the civil action.

Francis A. Benham

• Convicted
  

In 2005, Benham pleaded guilty to molesting a 15-year-old boy and sodomizing a 13-year-old girl. He received two concurrent ten-year sentences, with all but eighteen months suspended, and was placed on the sex offender registry. The convictions formally removed him from active ministry and imposed criminal penalties.

John Fabian Butler

• Accused
  

A religious brother who professed vows in 1941, Butler was accused of abuse and identified publicly in late 2018. The disclosure did not specify dates, locations, or assignments connected to the alleged misconduct. No information was provided regarding criminal proceedings, disciplinary measures, or subsequent restrictions.

Martin J. Casey

• Accused
  

The Maryland Province Jesuits received an allegation of abuse involving Casey in 2002. He died in 2006, several years before public disclosure of the allegation. The accusation concerned conduct occurring prior to his death, and no criminal or canonical proceedings were noted during his lifetime.

Raymond C. Callahan

• Convicted
  

Callahan was removed from ministry in 1971 and later criminally convicted of sexual abuse. He did not serve a prison sentence but was laicized in 1977. He died in 1996. The case reflected early removal from ministry followed by delayed formal dismissal from the clerical state.

Joseph B. Coyne

• Accused
  

Monsignor Coyne was first named publicly as accused on October 15, 2018. The archdiocese received a report in 1992. He retired in 1994, had his faculties removed in 1995, and died in 1999. The allegation concerned conduct reported years before public disclosure.

Thomas C. Chleboski Jr.

• Convicted
  

Chleboski began abusing boys prior to ordination and was removed from ministry in 1990. In 1991, he was convicted of sexually abusing two 13-year-old boys. He received a sentence of twenty-two years in prison followed by fifteen years of probation, reflecting severe criminal penalties for prolonged abuse.

Aaron Joseph Cote

• Convicted
  

An 18-year-old male filed suit in 2005 alleging abuse by Cote in 2001–2002 at Mother Seton Parish in Germantown, Maryland. Cote later transferred to Rhode Island, where he was convicted in 2008. He received a sentence of ten years’ probation following the criminal case.

Philip DeRea

• Sued
  

DeRea served as Catholic chaplain for the Indy Racing League beginning in 1971. He was placed on leave in 2010 after allegations emerged that he abused a boy for approximately eight years. The allegations prompted removal from ministry and civil litigation addressing the prolonged period of alleged abuse.

John J. Devoe

• Accused
  

Known as Brother Brennan, Devoe joined the Xaverians in 1949. An allegation received in 1991 described abuse occurring in the mid-1960s in Leonardtown, Maryland. He was removed from ministry in 1991, later named publicly on the order’s list in 2019, and died in 2005.

R. Joseph Dooley

• Sued
  

Monsignor Dooley, a long-time chaplain to the Catholic Police and Firemen’s Society in Hyattsville, was removed from parish ministry in 1992. He then worked as coordinator for sick and retired priests until 1995 before retiring without faculties. He died in 2002 amid unresolved civil claims.

Russell L. Dillard

• Accused
  

Dillard was suspended from active ministry in 2002 after two sisters alleged he kissed and fondled them while they were teenagers. The allegations led to immediate removal from ministry. No criminal charges were noted in the summary, and no subsequent assignments were recorded.

James Aubrey Finan

• Guilty plea
  

Finan was removed from ministry in 1996 following a report of abuse. In 1997, he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl. He was sentenced to eighteen months in prison followed by five years of probation.

Roger P. Gallagher

• Accused
  

First named publicly as accused on October 15, 2018, Gallagher was reported to the archdiocese in 1992. He was removed from ministry following the report. Gallagher died in 2012, years before public disclosure of the allegation.

George Gardiner

• Accused
  

Known as Brother Barton, Gardiner was named publicly as accused by the Xaverians in 2019. The allegation involved sexual abuse at a summer camp during the mid-1960s. The disclosure did not describe subsequent criminal proceedings or ministerial status following the accusation.

Arthur E. Kelly

• Accused
  

Kelly was named as credibly accused by the Society of the Divine Word Chicago Province in April 2021. The allegation involved abuse of teenage gang members in Washington, DC, in 1971. He was dismissed from the order in 1987, ending his religious affiliation.

Edward T. Hartel

• Settled
  

Hartel sexually abused an altar boy on one occasion between 1975 and 1978. He was arrested and acquitted on a separate allegation due to identification issues. Civil matters related to the abuse were resolved through settlement. Hartel died in 2013.

Finbar Kenneally

• Accused
  

The Santa Barbara Province Franciscans identified Kenneally as accused of sexually abusing a minor between 1962 and 1964. His name was included in public disclosures by the order. No criminal proceedings or later ministerial details were provided in the summary.

Peter M. McCutcheon

• Guilty plea
  

McCutcheon was removed from ministry, charged, and sentenced to twenty-five years in prison for sexually abusing boys between 1981 and 1985. A civil lawsuit against him and the archdiocese was filed and settled in 1988. His case involved both criminal conviction and civil resolution.

Thomas W. Lyons

• Accused
  

Auxiliary Bishop Lyons was named publicly as accused in 2018. One man reported being sexually abused by Lyons from ages seven through seventeen. The allegation described prolonged abuse over a decade, leading to public disclosure and ecclesiastical review late in Lyons’s life.

Michael J. Mellone

• Sued
  

Monsignor Mellone was accused of sexually abusing a boy at St. Martin of Tours Parish. The allegation emerged alongside related claims involving another cleric at the same parish. Civil litigation addressed the alleged misconduct, and the case contributed to broader scrutiny of parish leadership.

Matthew Miles

• Convicted
  

Miles admitted sodomizing young boys in Washington, DC, and abusing at least one youth at St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota. His admissions led to criminal conviction and removal from ministry, reflecting abuse across multiple jurisdictions and institutions.

James F. Montgomery

• Accused
  

Monsignor Montgomery served as pastor of Annunciation Parish from 1972 until his death in 2000 and previously directed Catholic Charities. Abuse was reported to the archdiocese in 2020, and he was named publicly as credibly accused in July 2023, decades after his death.

Arthur J. O’Brien

• Convicted
  

The archdiocese first received a report against O’Brien in 1983. He was accused of abusing a boy in Maryland during 1984–1985 and another boy, age ten, in Hawaii in 1989. Criminal proceedings resulted in conviction, formally establishing patterns of abuse across locations.

Garrett D. Orr

• Guilty plea
  

In 2003, a student reported to Georgetown Preparatory School that Orr had sexually abused him the prior year. Despite the report, Orr was later assigned in 2004 as chaplain at Loyola University. A Jesuit investigation concluded the allegation was “substantially true,” and Orr’s employment was terminated in 2006. His case reflects delayed institutional response following an initial disclosure.

James J. Powderly

• Indicted
  

Powderly was accused of sexually abusing a boy over a three-year period from 1974 to 1977 and of abusing the boy’s sister. Criminal proceedings were initiated, but he died in 2004 before resolution of the case. The allegations remained unresolved at the time of his death.

Robert Joseph Petrella

• Convicted
  

The archdiocese received an initial report concerning Petrella in 1966. After additional allegations surfaced, he was permanently removed from ministry in 1989. He was later indicted and convicted in 1997 for the sexual abuse of a 10-year-old boy and was formally laicized in 2003.

Edward B. Pritchard

• Guilty plea
  

Pritchard was arrested in 1995 and pleaded guilty to sexually abusing three altar boys. He was permanently removed from ministry following the plea. He died in 2002 after having been barred from clerical service for several years.

John J. Shea

• Accused
  

Known as Brother Jeron, Shea joined the Xaverians in 1953 and left the order in 1970. An allegation reported in 2004 described abuse occurring in Leonardtown in the late 1960s. He was named publicly as accused by the order in 2019 and was deceased at the time of disclosure.

Thomas E. Pyne

• Accused
  

Pyne was listed by the Jesuits Maryland Province as having a reasonable possibility of having sexually abused minors. The disclosure did not include dates, locations, or details of assignments, and no criminal proceedings were noted in the summary.

Joseph Skelton Jr.

• Convicted
  

Skelton was accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy during the summer of 1984. In 1988, he resigned from a Michigan seminary after pleading guilty to abusing a 15-year-old boy in a seminary room. His guilty plea resulted in removal from clerical formation.

Michael Schapfel

• Accused
  

Following allegations that he had molested numerous girls and young women in Germany, Schapfel was returned to Germany. The case involved cross-border reassignment after allegations surfaced, with no criminal outcome noted in the available record.

Thomas S. Schaefer

• Convicted
  

Schaefer was arrested in 1995 and convicted in 1996 for sexually abusing five victims. He was sent to live at St. John Vianney in St. Louis under supervision. He later became part of a $1.3 million settlement with the archdiocese and died in 2009.

James A. Scott

• Accused
  

Scott was first named publicly as accused by the archdiocese in 2018. He had died in 2013, several years before public disclosure of the allegation. No criminal proceedings were described in the summary.

Timothy Slevin

• Convicted
  

Slevin was treated for fondling children in 1972, separated from the priesthood in 1974, and laicized in 1978. In 1986, he admitted to police that he had abused six boys over six years. His admissions confirmed a sustained pattern of abuse.

Alphonsus M. Smith

• Guilty plea
  

Smith admitted to having an affair with a youth and was sentenced to sixteen years in prison. He later died in 2005. Claims involving Smith were included in a $1.3 million settlement with the archdiocese.

Margaret Daley

• Sued
  

In the early 1970s, a woman alleged that Daley sexually abused her in an office at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, Maryland. A civil lawsuit was filed in 2023, bringing the allegation into formal litigation decades after the alleged abuse.

Philip Spoelker

• Guilty plea
  

Known as Brother Jude, Spoelker was accused of abuse in 1982. He pleaded guilty in 2007 and served eighteen months in prison. He had been placed on a safety plan in 2003 and was expected to relocate to the Xaverian Brothers community in Venice, Florida, in 2009.

George A. Stallings Jr.

• Settled
  

Stallings was accused of abusing a 16-year-old boy, and another man alleged abuse spanning 1976 to 1984. The claims were resolved through settlement. Stallings was later excommunicated and publicly asserted that his departure from the Church was due to racism rather than the allegations.

Paul T. Twiddy

• Accused
  

Twiddy was first named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its October 15, 2018 list. Records indicate he was sent for evaluation and treatment in 1968. He retired from ministry in 1986, decades before public disclosure.

William McSherry Stock

• Guilty plea
  

Stock left the priesthood in 1985. A man later reported that Stock sexually assaulted him at age seventeen in 1980. The report resulted in acknowledgment of abuse after Stock had already exited clerical life.

Urbano Vazquez-Ortega

• Convicted
  

The victim’s mother informed Vazquez-Ortega of abuse in 2015, but law enforcement was not notified until October 26, 2018. Criminal proceedings followed, resulting in conviction after delayed reporting to authorities.

William J. Walsh

• Accused
  

Walsh was recalled from China in 1996 and assigned to the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University. He was later sent to the St. Luke Institute for treatment. In 1998, five of his nieces made allegations public. Walsh lived until his death in 2018 at age 95.

William C. Wert

• Convicted
  

Wert held assignments across multiple locations in North America, including Washington, DC. He was charged in 2007 with sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy and was sentenced to life in prison in 2013, reflecting the severity of the offense and criminal findings.

Miguel Umana Zelaya

• Accused
  

Zelaya was first named publicly as accused on the archdiocese’s list released October 15, 2018. He was removed from ministry in 2000 following a report of abuse and was laicized in 2003. No criminal proceedings were detailed in the disclosure.

About Clergy Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church

Clergy sexual abuse refers to instances where a clergy member exploits their position by sexually abusing individuals under their care, such as in cases of child sexual abuse. This abuse can range from inappropriate touching and grooming to more severe forms of sexual assault.

Those who have been sexually abused often experience profound emotional trauma, including feelings of shame, guilt, and mistrust related to child abuse and allegations of sexual abuse. It’s essential for survivors of child sexual abuse to know that they are not alone, and legal action can help them reclaim their dignity and hold those who have sexually assaulted them accountable.

Moreover, it is important to understand that Washington, DC, is one of the 13 states that have declared it illegal for clergy members to engage in possible sexual misconduct with anyone they are counseling, reflecting a commitment to protecting children from child sexual abuse.

Clergy members and Catholic church officials are required to report child sexual abuse to authorities, regardless of their age, as part of child and youth protection.

Sexual abuse is used as a broad term to encompass other forms of exploitation, including but not limited to:

• Sexual jokes and indirect language
• Voyeurism
• Invasion of privacy
• Child pornography
• Stalking
• Rape and sexual assault

Legal Support for Child Sexual Abuse Survivors in Washington, DC

Injury Lawyer Team provides comprehensive legal representation tailored to the unique needs of survivors of abuse by abusive priests and other clergy members in Washington, DC.

Our firm understands the sensitivity and complexity of cases against predator priests in the Catholic church and is committed to guiding abuse survivors through every step of the legal process with empathy and expertise.

Our Washington DC clergy abuse lawyers advocate fiercely for our clients’ rights, ensuring they receive fair compensation and holding responsible parties accountable. Our team will fight against Catholic priests with you, take your abuse allegations seriously, and stand beside you in front of a Pennsylvania grand jury, if necessary.

What Laws Govern Priest Abuse Lawsuits in Washington, DC?

In Washington, DC, survivors of clergy sexual abuse are protected by specific laws and regulations. The statute of limitations details how long after the abuse occurred you can file a civil suit. Others aim to protect minors from credibly accused priests, ensuring they aren’t sexually assaulting minors.

Civil Statute of Limitations Regarding Credibly Accused Priests

The DC Code § 12-301et seq. governs the time limits within which survivors can file civil lawsuits for clergy sexual abuse. Recent legislative changes, influenced by findings from the Pennsylvania grand jury, have extended these limits, providing more time for survivors to seek justice.

Now, survivors can file their claim before turning 40. By extending the limit, the state law gives survivors confidence to file lawsuits even years after the abuse from predator priests occurred.

Mandatory Reporting Regarding Clergy Members Abusing Children

Under DC Code § 4-1321.01 et seq., certain professionals and institutions are required to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect, including clergy sexual abuse, to authorities. This helps ensure incidents involving sex abuse in the Catholic church are documented and investigated promptly.

These laws are designed to protect survivors and punish criminals, including Catholic bishops and other members of the Catholic church, who are facing criminal charges for sexually abusing vulnerable members of society. vulnerable members of society. The legislation also holds institutions accountable for their role in allowing suspected sexual misconduct.

Age of Consent

In Washington, D.C., the legal “age of consent” for sexual activity is 16 years old, as defined by the D.C. Code. Under the Code, people under 16 are presumed unable to consent, especially if there is at least a four-year age gap between them and the other party. This means they are unable to provide consent, and sexual acts can automatically be considered sex abuse.

Moreover, D.C. law recognizes a “significant relationship.” For example, someone in a position of trust or authority (such as a teacher, coach, or clergy), where special protections apply: an adult over 18 may face criminal liability if they engage in sexual contact with a minor under 18 in such a relationship.

This relationship essentially changes the age of consent to 18, meaning sexual activity between members of religious orders and a 17-year-old can automatically be sex abuse.

Consent under D.C. law means “words or overt actions indicating a freely given agreement”; it explicitly excludes situations where submission results from force, threats, or coercion.

Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Washington DC

Initiating a sexual abuse lawsuit against Church officials in Washington, DC, is a significant step toward justice. The process includes:

• Initial Consultation: A confidential meeting where survivors can share their stories with our legal team. We’ll discuss what happened with the Catholic priests or the Catholic church, what to expect from your case, and possibly what it will look like if we head in front of a grand jury.
• Gathering Evidence: Collecting documentation of abuse allegations, witness statements, and other evidence to support the case. This can include evidence of where the abuse occurred, interviews with lay people, evidence of times those accused of abusing children acted inappropriately, and anything else considered relevant.
• Legal Proceedings: Navigating court procedures, including filings, motions, and hearings. Our team will explain every detail to you, ensuring you’re adequately prepared.
• Negotiations or Trial: Pursuing fair compensation through negotiations with defendants or presenting the case in court if a settlement cannot be reached. Most cases are settled outside of court, but we’re prepared to go to trial if necessary.

Throughout this process, our clergy abuse lawyer team ensures survivors are informed, supported, and empowered.

Support Resources for Survivors in Washington, DC

Abuse survivors in Washington, DC have access to vital support resources, including outpatient treatment, to aid in their recovery:

Counseling Services

DC Victim Hotline provides access to trauma-informed counseling services and outpatient treatment.

Support Groups

Organizations like RAINN offer survivor-led support groups where individuals can connect with others who have experienced similar trauma.

Crisis Hotlines

The DC Rape Crisis Center offers immediate assistance and guidance during times of crisis.

These resources are essential for survivors’ emotional healing and complement the legal support Injury Lawyer Team provides.

Notable Cases and Outcomes From the Archdiocese of Washington

Throughout Washington, DC’s history, several significant clergy sexual abuse cases have brought attention to the pervasive issue within religious institutions:

• 1988 Settlement with Rev. Peter M. McCutcheon: The Washington Archdiocese settled a case involving Rev. Peter M. McCutcheon, who was accused of abuse in 1988, for a substantial amount, ensuring confidentiality per the Archdiocese’s request. This case highlighted early efforts to address child sexual abuse and its impact on survivors.
• 2006 Settlement with 16 Survivors: In 2006, the Archdiocese of Washington agreed to a $1.3 million settlement with 16 survivors of child sexual abuse after they made credible allegations. These survivors won against eight different priests accused of sexual abuse between 1962 and 1982. They received compensation for the harm endured during their formative years, and some of the credibly accused clergy members abandoned the Priesthood after this.

These abuse cases, reported extensively in the Washington Post, underscore the enduring impact of clergy sexual abuse on survivors and the ongoing efforts to seek justice and accountability from religious institutions. Each settlement represents a step toward healing for survivors and a reminder of the importance of transparency and responsibility in addressing such sensitive issues.

Our attorneys have reviewed public and private settlement data related to Washington, DC, clergy abuse settlements involving abusive priests. 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.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team

When it comes to handling clergy sexual abuse cases in Washington, DC, Injury Lawyer Team offers unparalleled expertise and dedication. Our firm has a deep understanding of the unique legal landscape in DC and has successfully represented numerous survivors of sexual abuse inflicted by the members of the Roman Catholic Church, including cases against a former archbishop.

Our team has a proven track record of handling complex clergy sexual abuse cases. We have the knowledge and experience to navigate the specific laws and regulations in Washington, DC, ensuring your case is handled with the utmost precision and care.

We specialize in sexual abuse cases related to public ministry and are well-versed in the legal intricacies involved. We stay current with legislative changes and employ innovative legal strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.

Choosing Injury Lawyer Team means partnering with a sexual abuse law firm that combines legal excellence with heartfelt dedication to justice, challenging the church hierarchy. Contact us today to begin your journey toward healing and accountability.

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.