Georgia Catholic Diocese Priest Sex Abuse List | Injury Lawyer Team

List of Accused Priests in Georgia

Accusations of Priests and other members abusing churchgoers within the Catholic Church have a troubling history in Georgia and other Dioceses. Some refer to it as a clergy abuse crisis because the vast majority of survivors aren’t comfortable coming forward. Reporting sexual abuse is the first step in holding these religious officials and the church accountable for their actions. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to providing survivors the legal guidance and emotional support they need while they file their lawsuits and find closure.

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Last Name	First Name	Diocese	Status	Accusations (Summary)
Bollmer	Jacob A.	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Case Dismissed	An alleged victim said Bollmer asked him to pull his pants down and spin around when he was 15 in the 1970s.
Biggers	Clarence	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Settled	Several women accused Biggers of molesting them as children in the early 1960s. He was transferred to Baton Rouge diocese in 1964, and back to Atlanta in 1967, where he began living in a monastery in 1969.
Bartles	Charles Arnold	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Accused	Bartles was assigned in FL, Jamaica, GA and AK, and was removed from ministry in 1993. There were reports in 2016 that Bartles molested students at Marist School in the 1970s, after plying them with alcohol.
Beltran	Joseph J.	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Sued	Beltran was publicly accused of inappropriately touching a male parishioner in 1971, molesting a male in the 1960s, and sexually abusing a 16-year-old altar boy in 2002. He retired in 1993 and died in 1995.
Boucher	Richard Roy	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Settled	Priest of the Missionaries of Our Lady of LaSalette, named publicly as accused on the Atlanta archdiocese’s list 11/6/2018, was removed from ministry in 1992 after parishioners complained about Boucher’s behavior with young boys, including hugging, squeezing and kissing them.
Perez	Sergio Calle	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Accused	From Colombia. Named as accused on the archdiocese’s list 11/6/2018, laicized in 2004. Calle-Perez allegedly touched some boys inappropriately, grabbed their crotches while arm wrestling, and refused to take them home after giving them alcohol.
Cassity	Kenneth Joseph	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Guilty plea	In 1999 a woman told Cassity’s supervising priest that Cassity was behaving inappropriately with her son, age 8. He was sent to St. Luke’s Institute for evaluation, and in 2002 he was arrested in Lake Wales, FL, and pleaded guilty to molesting three boys.
Cristancho	Jorge	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Accused	Cristancho was named publicly as accused on the archdiocese’s list 11/6/2018, was laicized in 2003, and had a long history of sexual misconduct with men and women. He was accused of molesting a 19-year-old son in 1979, and soliciting a 14-year-old boy in 1981.
Edwards	John Douglas	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Sued	Edwards was named publicly on the archdiocese’s list 11/6/2018, was removed from ministry in 2/1990, laicized in 1992, and died in 1997. A lawsuit was filed in 12/2018 by a man alleging abuse 1976-1978 when he was an altar boy, ages 12-15.
Gage	Philip S.	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Accused	Officials of the Marist School announced that Gage had been removed in 1993 after allegations that he molested a 17-year-old student in 1989. They also learned of another possible victim who was 18 at the time of the alleged abuse.
Hyon	Benedict Yu Bok	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Accused	Hyon was suspended from ministry in 1992 after a report that he ‘improperly touched’ a young girl. The girl’s family did not want to prosecute.
Horan	Raymond F.	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Accused	Horan was named publicly as accused on the archdiocese’s list 11/6/2018, removed from ministry in 1992, and died in 2017. Two men and one woman reported abuse by Horan.
Krzyzanski	John Peter	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Settled	Krzyzanski was found with child pornography in 2000, sent to St. Luke’s in MD for treatment, and accused of sexually abusing a 6-year-old boy in suburban Atlanta 1997-1998. The case was dismissed by a judge due to the statute of limitations, and settled out of court.
Molloy	John	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Guilty plea	Molloy was ordained for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, but was removed from active ministry in 1995 after admitting to molesting two boys, ages 4 and 5. He pled guilty to sexually abusing two other children in 2003.
Mayhew	Leonard Francis	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Accused	In 1964, Mayhew was admitted to “initiation for altar boys in the rectory” which included “divesting clothes, shaving cream, cold shower, massaging abdomen until red…wrestling”. A 15-year-old boy reported the “initiation” behavior toward him in 1966.
Mowat	Anton	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Convicted	In 1986, a fellow priest reported to his supervising priest that Mowat had young boys hanging around the rectory and sleeping over. Mowat was removed from ministry in 1987 due to allegations of abuse of boys, returned to England, admitted to a treatment facility, fled to Italy. Extradited from England in 1990 and convicted of killing three boys. Paid $358K to families of the boys.
Moylan	Joseph E.	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Accused	Monsignor Moylan was named publicly as accused in the 3/24/2023 GA PAC Report. He sexually abused an altar boy in 1952, and his father beat the boy with his belt.
Paulantonio	Joseph W.	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Accused	Ordained for the Dioceses of Marquette MI, worked in the Archdiocese of New York, the Dioceses of Brooklyn, Richmond and Trenton, and the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Accused of sexually abusing two sisters.
Rodriguez	Alberto	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Settled	A man accused Rodriguez of abusing him as a minor at Holy Cross in Atlanta, and fled to Atlanta to escape the abuse. The suit settled in 2007.
Rogge	Louis P.	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Guilty plea	Traveled the country for short-term assignments with the Carmelite missions, pled guilty to child molestation charges in 1974, and was removed from public ministry in 2002. He sexually abused two brothers in 1996 and 1999, and died before sentencing.
Santiago	Rigoberto	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Accused	A diocesan priest was named publicly as accused in the GA PAC Report of sexually abusing a girl, age 15, about 16 years prior.
Schimmelmann	Wayne	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Accused	Schimmelmann was assigned in MO, NJ, IL, GA. He was named publicly as accused in the GA PAC Report, and was accused in a 2004 lawsuit of sexually harassing a female CNA.
Tuffy	William John	Archdiocese of Atlanta GA	Accused	Liam Tuffy was accused of sexually abusing a boy at St. Jude’s in Sandy Springs, GA, where he was assigned 1970-1972. He was living in Ireland in 2013 and was shown on Facebook to be a retired Fireman.
Jr.	Wayland Yoder Brown,	Diocese of Savannah GA	Guilty plea	Brown was removed from ministry in 1988 after receiving treatment for sexual abuse. Three men alleged abuse as children by Brown in the 1960s and 1970s. Brown pled guilty to abuse of two boys in 1974 while at Catholic University Seminary in DC, was sentenced to 10 years prison in MD, laicized in 7/2004, released from prison in 2008, and sued for rape of two boys.
Dean	Joseph	Diocese of Savannah GA	Accused	The Diocese of Savannah named Dean publicly as accused on its list 11/08/2018. Dean was investigated by an “independent investigator” and “exonerated” in 2004.
Garcia	Lorenzo	Diocese of Savannah GA	Accused	Garcia was named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 11/8/2018. He was suspended in 8/2008 after an allegation that he sexually abused an altar boy, age 10, 1998-1999.
Gall	Adolphe J.	Diocese of Savannah GA	Accused	A woman disclosed that she was sexually abused at Immaculate Conception in Augusta, GA, by Gall and Fr. S. John Murray.
Gavigan	Eugene A.	Diocese of Savannah GA	Accused	Named as accused on the Savannah diocese’s list 11/8/2018, he joined the Trappists in 7/1947, took solemn vows 8/15/1951, and died at age 30 in a fall, while camping with two 16-year old boys. In 1959, a woman said, Gavigan sexually abused her multiple times when she was age 6, and the priest told her father he had been bad so her father spanked her.
Groover	Henry B.	Diocese of Savannah GA	Sued	Accused of luring a young boy into sex acts 1983-1986, when Groover was a tugboat captain in GA, prior to ordination. Died by suicide days after being served the lawsuit.
Harrold	James A.	Diocese of Savannah GA	Accused	He was ordained in Ireland, assigned in GA in 1947, and worked in the Savannah diocese from 1948-1956. He was also a fundraiser based in Tenafly NJ, Doylestown PA, and Dedham MA, and a West African missionary in Liberia.
Keohane	Bartholomew	Diocese of Savannah GA	Accused	Keohane sexually abused two girls in the 1950s and was named publicly as accused on the Savannah diocese’s list 11/8/2018.
Martin	Austin	Diocese of Savannah GA	Accused	The Savannah diocese named Martin publicly on its list 11/8/2018, and noted that he worked in the diocese 1964-1969, and was laicized. He was also accused of abusing a girl in the 1960s at St. Benedict’s in Columbus, GA.
Murray	S. John	Diocese of Savannah GA	Accused	A woman disclosed that she was sexually abused at ages 7-9 by Murray and Fr. Adophe Gall, at Immaculate Conception in Augusta, GA.
Murphy	Robert (Hugh)	Diocese of Savannah GA	Settled	Murphy was assigned in WI, GA, Ontario Canada, IL, NJ, and resigned from the Board of Members at Joliet Catholic Academy after his admission of sexual misconduct with children. He was removed from his assignment in 1985 and placed on a safety plan in 2005.
Quinlan	Nicholas	Diocese of Savannah GA	Accused	Quinlan was named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 11/8/2018. A woman told the diocese that three nuns physically abused her and she was sexually abused by Quinlan in the 1940s.
Smith	Joseph R.	Diocese of Savannah GA	Accused	Smith is listed as accused on the Savannah diocese’s list 11/8/2018 and in the GA PAC Report 3/24/2023.
Teoli	Robert J.	Diocese of Savannah GA	Settled	A woman reported Teoli sexually abusing her 30 years prior, and was offered but declined a $40,000. settlement. A boy was accused of abusing Teoli 1963-1967, but the diocese deemed the allegations unsubstantiated and gave the man $5000.
Tuttle	Patrick	Diocese of Savannah GA	Accused	On 4/4/2024, Tuttle was removed from active ministry and as pastor of Holy Spirit in Macon, GA.

About Clergy Abuse

Clergy abuse is any sexual misconduct that officials within the Catholic Church conduct on their congregants. When you hear the term clergy abuse, most people associate it with the sexual assault of minors, but anyone within the church can be a victim of clergy abuse. The impacts of this inappropriate behavior can be felt for the survivors’ entire lives.

The abuse might have stopped, but the emotional and psychological trauma often remains. That’s why coming forward, reporting the abuse, and filing a claim is so important. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help guide you through the legal process of gathering evidence, filing the lawsuit, and then fighting for your rights in or out of the courtroom.

Legal Support for Survivors in Georgia

For anyone who’s been abused by church officials in Georgia, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can offer specialized legal counsel. We have the experience and knowledge about how to carefully handle these sensitive cases to ensure that you get the settlement you deserve and bring the clergy member to justice. Beyond that, we have the compassion to help guide survivors emotionally through this taxing legal process.

Laws and Regulations in Georgia

Anyone who’s been sexually abused and wants to report the abuse at a later date needs to be aware of the specific laws and regulations in Georgia. The statute of limitations in Georgia for criminal charges of childhood clergy abuse varies depending on the child’s birthday. Anyone born before July 2012 has to have a lawsuit filed seven years from the child’s 16th birthday. Anyone both after July 1st, 2012, there is no statue of limitations.

Georiga has made an effort to open up a two-year window that would offer survivors of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits against their abusers. With credible allegations, this allows survivors to seek justice on their own terms. In addition to these laws, there are mandatory reporting laws in Georgia. Those within certain occupations are required by law to report any suspected child abuse. Some of the occupations are healthcare workers, teachers, religious leaders, and other similar roles.

Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Georgia

When you’re ready to take the initiative to file a lawsuit against your abusers, understanding how the process works can help make this stressful time feel more manageable:

• Attorney Consultation: Meet with an attorney who has experience working on clergy abuse cases. You’ll share the details of the case, and they’ll decide on the best way to proceed.
• Gather Evidence: Collect evidence that will help build your strong case against your abuser or abusers. This includes testimonies, witness statements, and any documentation that can prove the abuse.
• Filing the Lawsuit: Officially file the lawsuit against clergy members, the specific Catholic diocese, or both.
• Discovery: Both parties in the lawsuit will have the opportunity to review the evidence and exchange information.
• Settlement Negotiations or Trial: Your attorney will work to settle settlement negotiations to avoid going to court. If that can’t happen, the case will go to trial for a jury or judge to determine the outcome.

Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to get started on the process of fighting for justice and get the settlement you deserve to start healing hopefully.

Support Resources for Survivors in Georgia

Survivors in Georgia have a plethora of resources that they can take advantage of when they’re ready. These include specialized counseling services, crisis hotlines, and support groups. A combination of different types of resources can be highly beneficial to survivors so they can know they’re not alone and also find ways to heal. Some resources that Georgia offers survivors are:

• Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP)
• Safe Church Atlanta
• The Atlanta Archdiocese Victims Assistance Program

Notable Cases and Outcomes in Georgia

Many Georgia Dioceses have credibly accused clergy members. The sexual abuse isn’t just one or two cases per diocese, but these are some of the most notable cases that have been in the news:

• Father Wayland Brown: Brown was previously part of the Savannah diocese’s list of credibly accused Priests. He was put on suspension in 1988 but wasn’t removed from his clerical state until 2004. He was deemed credibly accused of sexual abuse to several young boys throughout his tenure. The lawsuit against Brown also named other clergy members and the Savannah Diocese. The case was settled for $4.5 million.
• The Atlanta Archdiocese: Parents of two teenage boys sued the Atlanta Archdiocese for the sexual abuse their children suffered over 18 months of being at the St. Ann Catholic Church. Kenneth Joseph Cassity pleaded guilty to two counts of child molestation and was sentenced to six years in prison, nine years probation, and to be placed on the sex offender registry. The settlement concluded when the Atlanta Archdiocese paid $10 million. The case also brought about a new policy from the archdiocese that requires them to remove any Priest found guilty of sexual abuse and other clergy members and church workers.

Our attorneys have carefully reviewed public and private settlement data in regard to Georgia clergy abuse settlements. Depending on the circumstances pertaining to your lawsuit, these can be valued between $400,000 and $950,000. For cases of extreme misconduct or cases that go before a jury, the damages can be $1 million or more.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

The best way to hold the church officials accountable for their abuse is to work with a qualified law firm. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have a proven track record of getting survivors the settlements they deserve.

$14.2 Million Priest grooming and handling	$4.1 Million Deacon assault and rape	$3 Million Clergy child abuse filed in adulthood
$2.5 Million Volunteer-perpetrated Catholic church abuse	$2.3 Million Religious school priest teen sexual abuse	$1.5 Million Clergy abuse case filed against a deceased priest

Our experience, knowledge, and compassion are what help us win cases and hold religious officials responsible. We’re the ones to call for legal and emotional guidance in Georgia.

Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

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.