Iowa Catholic Diocese Priest Sex Abuse List | Injury Lawyer Team

List of Accused Priests in Iowa

The Iowa Catholic Diocese has an unfortunate history of clergy sexual abuse. The reports of these abuse cases go back decades and still impact the survivors and community today. Abuse within the Catholic church often goes underreported, but for those who do, there are law firms, like Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, who are ready to help you seek justice and find the support survivors need.

Search

Search

Last Name	First Name	Diocese	Status	Accusations (Summary)
D’Eufemia	Bede (John)	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Accused	Abused by the Society of the Divine Word in 1971.
Brickley	John J.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	A 1999 lawsuit settled in 2000 claimed Brickley abused a boy from 1966-1971. A $2.6M settlement with the Archdiocese was reached in 2007 for at least one claim.
Carman	Albert L.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Accused of abusing a teenage boy at Loras Academy, Dubuque, in 1954. Died in 1980.
Cigrand	Nicholas	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Sued	A man filed a lawsuit alleging abuse while an altar boy, but the lawsuit was dismissed.
Currier	Thomas F.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list updated 8/1/2013. Per the list, in the 1990s a woman reported abuse as a minor by Currier. He died 5/10/2005.
DeVenney	Timothy	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Guilty plea	Accused of fondling five teenage boys 1993-1996, sentenced to 10 years in prison, released from prison on parole in 2001, and laicized in 2008.
Dolan	Gerald C.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list updated 9/13/2018. Accused of the sexual abuse of boys. Leaves of absence 1992-1996 and 1998-2001. Died 1/10/2007.
Dunkel	Henry N.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Publicly accused of abusing several girls, including his own nieces, Dunkel was retired in 1990 and his priestly activities were restricted in 1992. He died in 1998.
Forster	Albert J.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Accused of abusing several boys in the 1960s. Died 3/26/1990. Named in at least two civil suits filed against the diocese in 2004, which settled in 2004 and 2005.
Goltz	William A.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Accused of abuse of boys, removed from active priesthood in the 1950s, sent to treatment over a 12-year period, re-assigned to active priesthood in 1991, abused again, retired in 1991, and ordered to live a life of prayer and penance.
Fitzgerald	Michael C.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Accused	Caught in 1999 taking part in an inappropriate internet chat with someone he thought was a 13-year-old boy, Fitzgerald was sent for therapy and died in a car crash in 2001.
Graff	Peter M.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	One claim against Graff was included in a $5.2M out-of-court settlement involving 10 priests and 26 victims.
Griffin	Joseph F.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list updated 9/13/2018. Accused of sexually abusing a boy in the 1960s. Claims settled in 2018. Griffin died 6/7/1999.
Knox	Thomas B.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Accused	A man accused Knox of sexually abusing him as a child in the early 1950s.
Kruse	Clarence S.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list updated 9/13/2018. Alleged to have sexually abused a girl in the 1970s. Claim settled in 2002. Kruse died 4/13/2018.
McElliott	Patrick W.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Sued in 2005, settled in 2006, and in 2007 for $2.6M and $5.2M, respectively, for abuse of at least five girls in the 1960s.
McLaughlin	William G.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	McLaughlin was accused of sexually abusing a girl in the 1960s. His name was added to the archdiocese’s list of accused priests in 2008.
Olinger	Julius J.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Accused of abuse at St. Mary’s in New Hampton 1957-1958. Claim settled in 2/2006. Olinger died 4/19/1993.
Peters	John M.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Accused of abusing boys in 1962 at St. Joseph’s in Harpers Ferry. Died in 1997.
Reed	John T.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Reed was one of 10 priests involved in a $5.2M settlement involving 26 victims and multiple allegations of abuse.
Patnode	Joseph I.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	In 2003, a man said he and at least 9 other teenage boys were sexually abused by Patnode. Patnode was removed from his parish assignment in 1951 and died in 1977.
Reiss	Robert J.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Accused of abuse of boys in the 1970s, laicized in 1997, murdered in 2005. At least one claim included in a $4.7M settlement with the Archdiocese.
Riley	Leo P.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Charged	Accused of sexually abusing a 4th grade altar boy in Dubuque IA starting in 10/1985 at morning Mass. A preliminary investigation began after the archdiocese received the accuser’s lawsuit. Riley was placed on temporary leave by Venice Bishop Dewane, pending the results of Dubuque’s investigation, but was reinstated, took a leave, and then returned to St. Peter the Apostle in Naples in 10/2015. Riley was accused of abusing a boy at St. Charles School in Port Charlotte FL in the 2000s, and silenced him with threats.
Roach	William A.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Sued in 2004 for abuse of two boys in Cedar Rapids and one in Key West. Claims settled in 2006 for $5M.
Schmitz	John A.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Schmitz was accused of sexual abuse as a child, was sent to Paracletes for treatment, and was denied clericate in 1983. He was later sued for a relationship with a married woman.
	Schmitz	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Accused	Sister Mary Philip Schmitz is accused of sexually abusing a boy in the early 1960s. The Dubuque archdiocese found the allegation not sustained, although their investigator found it credible.
Saunders	Robert J.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Saunders died at age 92 and was accused of abuse of several girls at Temple Hill and in Norway IA.
Schmitt	Allen M.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Multiple allegations of abuse of boys were made against Schmitt, who admitted to the behavior when confronted by the Archbishop. There was also an out-of-court settlement of $5.2M involving 10 priests and 26 victims.
Schwartz	William T.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Allegations of abuse were first publicized in 2003. Several settlements were reached, including a $2.6M settlement with the archdiocese in 2007 and a $5.2M settlement with 10 priests and 26 victims in 2013.
Showalter	Norbert F.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Accused	In 2015, a man accused Showalter of sexually abusing male minors at St. Mary’s in Lamont.
Soppe	Dale	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Convicted	Former seminary student, teacher, and therapist, charged with molesting a former student 50-100 times in 1968 and 1969. Pleaded guilty in 2008 and was sentenced to two years’ probation and a $1,000 fine.
Swift	Robert V.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	A man notified a newspaper that Swift had sexually abused him at age 13. He was accused of abusing several other boys and was involved with the Catholic Boy Scouts.
Tracy	Maurice J.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list 8/1/2013. Accused of sexually abusing boys. Claim settled in 2012. Tracy died 4/20/1990.
Walbaum	Dean L.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Sued	Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list 9/13/2018. Admitted to sexually abusing boys. Died 4/4/1996. Claim made in 2004.
Wendling	Louis E.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Multiple allegations of the sexual abuse of girls were made against Wendling. One claim was included in a settlement with the Dubuque diocese involving claims against 9 priests.
Wunder	Louis W.	Archdiocese of Dubuque IA	Settled	Wunder was included in a $5.2M out-of-court settlement involving 10 priests and 26 victims. He died in 1990.
Bayne	David C.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province, Bayne was the subject of a single allegation of abuse.
Bass	Francis E.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Settled	Bass was accused of abusing many boys and sharing his victims with Revs. Janssen, Geerts, and James W. Murphy. Bishop Hayes learned of Bass’ alleged abuse in 1958, but a 1974 allegation was not included in the released file. Bass was accused of abusing 18 male minors, but the Vatican ordered him to live a life of prayer and penance.
Bongers	Herman	Diocese of Davenport IA	Settled	Accused in 2005 of sexually abusing five boys at St. Vincent’s orphanage in 1966. Case settled 2/17/2006. Earliest known abuse was 1948. Included on the diocese’s list of credibly accused 7/14/2008. Died 12/29/1971.
Bonn	John L.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Settled	A girl, age 4, accused 3 priests of fondling her in 1969 and again in the next 5 years. The priests’ names were posted separately from the main list in 2012.
Brugman	Bernard	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Included on the diocese’s 7/2008 list of those credibly accused of sexual abuse. One man alleged abuse in 1963 when he was a minor. Brugman died in 1965.
Broderick	Michael J.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Settled	A girl, ages 4-9, was abused by 3 priests in Hill, IA. The 3 names were posted separately from the main list in 2012.
Conrad	Sylvester A.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Included on the diocese’s 7/2008 list of credibly accused. Allegations involved abuse of a minor female in the early 1960s. Conrad died in 10/2003.
Dawson	William F.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Settled	A woman alleged sexual abuse by Dawson and two other priests as a child, and received a settlement. The Diocese refused to list the names of the priests on their website, saying the allegations were not proven.
DeCoursey	Orville	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	DeCoursey was included on the diocese’s 7/2008 list of credibly accused priests. He died in 1964.
Deyo	Paul A.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Placed on leave in 2003 after accusation of abuse of a boy in 1998. Voluntarily laicized in 2006.
Diamond	Martin J.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Sued	Diamond spent his first two years of ministry at St. Peter’s in Keokuk, then was a hospital chaplain, a pastor, and an Army Reserve chaplain, before retiring in 1978. He was accused of abusing a boy in 1967-1970.
Embrich	Daniel K.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Embrich was suspended from Holy Family, an elementary school, and found not guilty by jury trial in 1989 of touching a girl’s inner thigh on multiple occasions in 1985-1986.
Feeney	Thomas J.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Settled	Monsignor Feeney was sued at least twice and was admitted to the Diocese’s list of credibly accused in 2006, after which four additional suits were filed. A civil trial began in 2006 and Feeney was awarded $1.5M.
Forrester	John C.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Settled	Forrester was named on the Davenport diocese’s list of credibly accused in 2008, and was removed from the Seattle archdiocese in 1979. Several 2002 and 2003 suits claimed Forrester abused boys in the mid-1970s on church outings and overnight trips.
Geerts	Theodore Anthony	Diocese of Davenport IA	Sued	Accused of sexually abusing boys in the early 1960s. Sued in 2003, died in 2004, and was included on the diocese’s list of credibly accused in 2008.
Hackett	Thomas E.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	From Ireland, attended seminary in St. Paul MN, was ordained for the Diocese of Davenport, and died in 1951 at age 44. He was alleged to have abused three minor males beginning in the 1940s.
Harness	H. Robert	Diocese of Davenport IA	Reinstated	Temporarily removed from ministry 4/22/2013, pending an investigation by the County Attorney and Diocese, and reinstated 5/23/2013 after the investigator did not substantiate the allegation.
Hines	Joseph P.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Dean of Keokuk 1970-1980, found guilty of sexual abuse of children, male and female, in 2008.
Kennedy	John T.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Included on the diocese’s 7/2008 list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse. Accused of abuse of two minor males and a minor female. Earliest claimed date of abuse was 1960. Died in 1989.
Janssen	James M.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Settled	Accused in 1955 of abusing two boys at a Newton, IA YMCA, placed on leave, sent to Hinsdale IL parish, admitted to abusing, placed on leave in 1990, retired from active ministry in 1991, laicized in 2004. Personnel files released 4/30/2014 show allegation of abuse of a boy while working in Hinsdale, IL. A man stated publicly that Janssen abused him at age 12 and that he coordinated abuse by Frs. Francis Bass, Anthony Geers and James W. Murphy.
Kalter	Raymond C.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Settled	Accused in 2005 of abuse in 1959 at St. Alphonsus Parish in Davenport, died in 1977, and was included in the 5/23/2023 Attorney General’s Report.
Kerrigan	William J.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Kerrigan was accused of abusing a female minor at Ottumwa Heights College and died in 1988.
Kieffer	Placidus	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy in 1963 at St. John’s in Burlington.
Lawrence	James T.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Accused of sexually abusing a female minor in the early 1960s, while assigned to St. Anthony’s in Knoxville. Retired in 1975. Died in 2008. Included on the diocese’s list of credibly accused in 5/2009.
Leu	James E.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Guilty plea	Criminally charged in 1989 with sexual abuse abuse of two altar boys. Served two years in prison.
Meinberg	Carl H.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Sued	Monsignor Meinberg was accused of abuse of a boy at St. Mary’s Parish in Iowa City in the 1940s. He died in 1975.
Martinez	Frank R.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Settled	A priest was accused of propositioning a 15-year-old boy in a motel room in 1986. He was laicized in 2008 and included on several lists of credibly accused priests.
Redmond	Donald	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Redmond was placed on leave in 2/2002 and sent to live at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison after allegations of sexual abuse of elementary school children. He died 5/31/2019.
Poster	Richard J.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Guilty plea	Poster pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography in 2003, was sentenced to one year in prison, and was arrested in 2006 on allegations that he violated his parole by being near children. He was laicized in 2007.
Quillen	Mark/Fr. Andrew	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Mark L. Quillen was named as credibly accused on the Davenport diocese’s Creditors Committee website in 2007 after a man alleged abuse by him and another religious brother in 1977 when the man was a minor seminary student.
Ryan	John V.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list updated in 2/2022. Noted to be accused of sexually abusing three male minors, with the earliest claimed abuse in 1946. Ryan died in 1992.
Shafer	Drake R.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Settled	Monsignor Shafer was accused of sexually abusing a male minor in 1973 or 1974. He denied the charge, but wrote an email to the victim in 2002 that was an “admission of serious misconduct”.
Smith	Eugene J.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Reportedly in 11/2008, Smith was accused of abuse by a female minor in approximately 1963. He was laicized in 1981. The Diocese announced 11/3/2008 that it had added him to its list of credibly accused.
Skube	Francis	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Skube was engaged in homosexual acts with nine junior high school boys in 1959. Skube moved the Order to Davenport IA in 1975, and later moved to FL, IN and OH. He retired in 2010. Skube’s name appears on the Davenport diocese Creditors Committee website in 2007 as having credible allegations of abuse against him. Skube was accused of sexually abusing one male minor and one male adult. He died in 2022.
Soens	Lawrence D.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Settled	Accused in 2002 of abusing three boys in the 1960s, Soens was found guilty of sexual abuse in 2008 and was included on the diocese’s list of credibly accused in 2009, noting accusations of abuse of 31 male minors.
Stack	John J.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Reinstated	Chaplain at Mercy Medical in Clinton, suspended 4/22/2013, accused of inappropriately touching minors in the late 1980s, returned to ministry in 2016 after the Vatican determined charges were “not proven”, but was removed from ministry in 5/2023 pending investigation.
Stouvenel	Gerald E.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Stouvenel was placed on leave in 2007 after allegations by four people that he sexually molested them when they were minors more than 30 years prior. In 2008 he was found guilty by the Review Board and was recommended laicization.
Thiessen	Terrence	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the Davenport diocese on its list in 2/2022. Accused of the sexual abuse of two female minors. Earliest claimed abuse in 1963.
Telegdy	Louis A.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Settled	Accused of abusing a 13-year-old boy, settled in 2005, and listed on several dioceses’ lists of credibly accused. He was accused of abusing four male minors, earliest known to have occurred in the 1950s.
Welsh	Richard J.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Included on the Davenport diocese’s Creditors Committee website in 2007 as having credible allegations against him. On the diocese’s 7/2008 list of credibly accused. Accused of abuse of six boys, beginning in 1962. Died in 1971.
Wiebler	William F.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Settled	Several suits were filed against the priest, who was retired in 1991 and included on the Davenport diocese’s list of credibly accused in 2008, which notes allegations of abuse of 29 boys.
Wagner	Alphonse W.	Diocese of Davenport IA	Accused	Included on the diocese’s list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse, and died in 1974. Multiple substantiated allegations against him, occurring 1944-1965.
Boeding	Damian G.	Diocese of Des Moines IA	Accused	Boeding was named publicly as accused by the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese on its list updated 4/1/2019.
Connelly	Paul John	Diocese of Des Moines IA	Accused	Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 4/4/2019. One allegation noted of abuse of a female, received in 2006, occurring in about 1964. Died 9/27/2007.
Fitzgerald	Howard E.	Diocese of Des Moines IA	Accused	After decades-old child sex abuse allegation was declared credible, the priest was removed without privileges from his assignments and laicized.
Grant	Robert L.	Diocese of Des Moines IA	Accused	The Diocese of Davenport received an allegation of sexual misconduct against Bud Grant involving a minor in the early 1990s. Grant was suspended from ministry pending the Diocese’s investigation, and was returned to ministry with restrictions and supervision.
Hobt	Phillip	Diocese of Des Moines IA	Accused	Hobt was placed on leave in 2007 after an allegation that he sexually abused a former student. He was laicized in 2007.
Kenkel	Leonard A.	Diocese of Des Moines IA	Sued	Dowling Catholic teacher Kenkel was accused in 2005 of exposing himself to a 15-year-old boy while talking about “receiving the Body of Christ”. The diocese determined insufficient evidence to conclude sex abuse, and recommended Kenkel take “appropriate boundaries” training, which he did.
Mangan	Dennis J.	Diocese of Des Moines IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 4/4/2019. Two allegations noted of the sexual abuse of females, received in the early 2000s, occurring in the 1960s. Died in 1976.
Monahan	Paul A.	Diocese of Des Moines IA	Indicted	Monahan was arrested in 2016 for watching five high school boys use the bathroom at a track meet. He was sentenced to a 30 day suspended jail sentence on each count, a year of informal probation and to register as a sex offender for 10 years.
Ryan	John R.	Diocese of Des Moines IA	Settled	Ryan was removed from ministry in 1993 due to allegations that he molested boys in the 1980s. He spent 29 years as a National Guard chaplain.
Tran	Tan Van	Diocese of Des Moines IA	Accused	From Viet Nam, ordained in 1992, suspended with pay in 1995, evaluated, and allowed to return to active ministry in 2019.
Wagner	Richard G.	Diocese of Des Moines IA	Accused	A mandated reporter learned of alleged abuse of a high school girl in the late 1980s, and the bishop recommended laicization. The bishop died in 2012.
Wilwerding	Albert	Diocese of Des Moines IA	Settled	Tommie Pierick and his priest uncle complained of abuse by Wilwerding in the late 1960s starting when the boy was age 12. The Diocese admitted no record of the two complaints, Wilwerding was removed in 1981, Tommie died by suicide in 1985, and other victims surfaced.
Zuch	Francis T.	Diocese of Des Moines IA	Settled	Zuch was accused of sexually abusing two altar boys 1970-1975. The suit was settled by 2002, and he was included on the diocese’s list 4/4/2019.
Birdsall	Richard Wayne	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/22/2019. It notes one accusation, of abuse of a girl, occurring in the 1970s. Retired in 1991. Died in 1997.
Behrens	Alver William	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/22/2019. It notes five allegations received of abuse in the 1960s of boys and girls. Retired in 1993. Died in 2002. Updated list 9/24/2019 shows seven allegations.
Apt	E. Everett	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Settled	Apt was accused of abusing an altar boy in the early 1960s at an Alvord parish, but the Diocese concealed his actions and transferred him whenever facts might become public.
Bruening	Paul Joseph	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Bruening was ordained for the Sioux City diocese and worked outside the diocese in Belleville, IL. He was named publicly as accused by the Sioux City diocese on 2/22/2019 and by the Belleville diocese on 9/2022.
Cain	John Francis	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its 2/22/2019 list. It notes one allegation received, of abuse of a girl, occurring in 1973. Retired in 1994. Died 1/3/2015.
Coyle	Jerome Paul	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Coyle admitted sexual contact or attraction to about 50 boys in IA over 20-plus years, and was removed from ministry and sent to the Servants of the Paraclete in Jemez Springs NM for treatment. He died in early 2024.
Cullen	John William	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its 2/22/2019 list. It notes one allegation received, of abuse of a girl, occurring in 1955. Retired in 1985. Died 12/21/1992.
Danner	Brian J.	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	A fourth-grade girl’s leg was rubbed during confession, and the priest was removed from ministry in 11/2018.
Eisenbacher	Linus Joseph	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its 2/22/2019 list. It notes one allegations received, of abuse of a girl, occurring in the 1970s. Retired in 1985. Died in 1991.
Farrelly	Clarence Edward	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its 2/22/2019 list. It notes two allegations received, of abuse of girls, occurring in the 1960s. Retired in 1979. Died in 1987. Its list updated 9/24/2019 shows three allegations.
Greving	Louis Henry	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its 2/22/2019 list. It notes one allegation received, of abuse of a girl, occurring 1965-1971. Died in 2002.
Hartz	Gerald	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Charged	Former superintendent of Sioux City Catholic schools, charged with indecent contact with a girl, age 13. Charges dropped, resigned, case dismissed, living in Bakersfield, CA in 2008, faculties revoked in 2019, died 3/6/2022.
Kollasch	Victor Everett	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its 2/22/2019 list. It notes one allegation, of abuse of a girl, occurring in the 1970s. Died in 1981.
Koster	Dale F.	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Settled	Accused of sexually and physically abusing a boy in 1968 and continuing through at least 1970.
Kurzak	John F.	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Sued	One man filed a civil suit against Kurzak, John Perdue and the Diocese, alleging abuse by Kurzak and a seminary student in the early 1980s. The suit was dismissed, citing a two-year Statute of Limitations.
Lefebvre	Bruce Anthony	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its 2/22/2019 list. It notes two allegations against Lefebvre of the sexual abuse of boys, occurring in the 1980s. Leave of absence in 2002. Died in 2005.
McFadden	George B.	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Settled	Accused of sexually abusing more than 25 girls and boys, McFadden denied the allegations, admitted to “harmful acts”, and was forced into treatment and retirement. Lawsuits began to be filed in 2003, and by 2008, 39 people made claims.
Lisowski	Jan	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	From Poland, arrived in the U.S. in 1962, was incardinated into the diocese in 1973, retired in 1980, and died in 2001.
Montag	Bernard Joseph	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its 2/22/2019 list. Two allegations noted of abuse of girls 1959-1961. Retired in 1980. Died in 2001.
Munn	Thomas Joseph	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its 2/22/2019 list. One allegation noted, of abuse of a boy 1954-1955. Retired in 1999. Died in 2002.
Murphy	Peter Brendan	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Settled	Accused publicly of raping and sexually abusing a 12-year-old altar boy 1959-1960 at Blessed Sacrament in Sioux City. The Diocese settled with Murphy in 2016 and has received 11 allegations of the abuse of boys, occurring 1956-1964.
Perdue	John Patrick	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Sued	Left the priesthood in 1986, one year after ordination. Accused of molesting a boy in the early 1980s, but the case was dismissed due to a two-year statute of limitations.
Reicks	Ronald Joseph	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its 2/22/2019 list. It notes two allegations of abuse of girls, occurring 1973-1984. Left the priesthood in 1996 and married. Died 6/3/2024.
Reinhart	Ralph William	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	The diocese listed six allegations against him, but later updated its list to show just four.
Ruba	Nicholas J.	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Sued	A girl, ages 14-21, accused Ruba of abuse 1968-1976 while he was assigned to St. Michael’s in Sioux City. Ruba denied the allegations, and the matter was dropped.
Schoeppner	Laurence Frances	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its 2/22/2019 list. One allegation noted, of abuse of a girl 1948-1949. Schoeppner retired and died 1965.
Slaven	Donald Joseph	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its 2/22/2019 list, which notes the sexual abuse of boys in the 1990s. Retired in 2009. Died in 2014. The diocese’s list updated 9/24/2019 shows three allegations.
Stapenhorst	Verne	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the Sioux City diocese on its list 2/22/2019, retired in 2004. Faculties removed in 2011.
Stevenson	Fergus (Francis)	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	The Sioux City diocese named one man publicly as accused of sexual abuse in 1976. He died in 1991.
Thom	Elmer D.	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list updated 9/24/2019. It notes one allegation of abuse of a boy, occurring 1956-1961. Thom retired in 1992 and died 7/22/2006.
Tolan	Joseph Edward	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Monsignor. Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its 2/22/2019 list.
Wingert	Donald William	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	William, a priest, was named publicly as credibly accused of sexual abuse of boys by the diocese.
Yetmar	John Charles	Diocese of Sioux City IA	Accused	Former professor named publicly as accused of sexual abuse of boys 1968-1974. Retired in 2002.

About Clergy Abuse

Clergy sexual abuse is the illegal and inappropriate sexual conduct by religious leaders, including Roman Catholic priests. It often leads to life-long trauma for the victims. Survivors of clergy abuse have to deal with the impacts of the abuse, which can significantly impact their emotional and mental health.

Reporting sex abuse, especially when it’s a member of the clergy, can be daunting, but it’s the first step to getting justice and stopping the clergy member from hurting someone else.

For those who want to report clergy sexual abuse in Iowa, the process involves filing a lawsuit against the clergy member and Catholic church, gathering evidence to prove your case, and maybe going to trial if a settlement can’t be reached.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers understand how difficult these cases can be on the survivors. Our legal team strives to provide support and guidance throughout the case to ensure you get the justice you deserve while allowing your voice to be heard.

Legal Support for Survivors in Iowa

Cases of abuse from Catholic clergy members are very sensitive and can be difficult for the survivors. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers offers specialized legal services to those who’ve experienced clergy abuse in Iowa.

Our team has a wealth of knowledge and experience handling sexual abuse cases within the Catholic church. Experience and knowledge combined with our compassionate nature allow us to provide you with unwavering guidance and support while still fighting for your rights throughout the sometimes complicated legal landscape.

Laws and Regulations in Iowa

Like many other states, Iowa has specific laws and regulations when it comes to clergy sexual abuse. Whether the alleged abuse happened in Sioux City Catholic Schools or at the Church, there are statutes of limitations for reporting Catholic clergy members for abuse. Previously, survivors had until they turned 33 years old to file a claim, but the Iowa Supreme Court recently removed the statute of limitations on child sex abuse.

Removing the statute of limitations has helped prove the state’s commitment to protecting survivors. In addition to removing the statute of limitation, Iowa has mandatory reporting laws. Certain professionals are required by law to report suspected child abuse, including clergy abuse.

Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Iowa

Whether you’re in Sioux City, Iowa City, or anywhere else in Iowa, filing a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit involves the following steps:

• Setting up an initial consultation with an attorney to discuss the details of your case.
• Gathering evidence of the abuse, like personal testimonies, documents, and other relevant material.
• Filing a complaint against catholic priests or other clergy members who’ve abused the victim.
• Both parties will go through discovery to exchange information and materials about the case.
• Settlement negotiations will hopefully start to avoid going to trial.
• If a settlement can’t be reached, the case will go to trial or have a formal church trial.
• A resolution will be reached, and the case can be closed.

If you want to file complaints against the Catholic church or clergy members, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to see how we can help fight for your rights and the justice you deserve.

Support Resources for Survivors in Iowa

Working with an attorney after abuse will only help so much. Survivors can find support through crisis hotlines, support groups, and specialized counseling. Iowa has several support resources for abuse survivors as they navigate through recovering from the abuse and need emotional support:

• Sioux City, IA diocese has victim assistance coordinators
• The Clergy Abuse Hotline: (855)-620-7000
• Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault (IowaCASA)
• National Sexual Abuse Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
• Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP)

Notable Cases and Outcomes in Iowa

In the last several years, the Sioux City Diocese has released the names of several Catholic Bishops and Priests who have been known or suspected of sexually abusing boys in the church.

The Diocese admitted to covering up several accusations of abuse throughout the 1900s but has released a list of 28 members who have abused children, of which 22 are deceased. Some of the most notable cases where abuse occurred throughout Iowa are:

• James E. Leu (Diocese of Davenport, IA): He was charged with sexual abuse of two alter boys between 1985 and 1989. He was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison.
• Francis T. Zuch (Diocese of Des Moines, IA): He was on the list of credibly accused priests for systemically abusing several elementary school children starting in the 1940s to the mid-1970s. The suit was filed in 1995 and settled in 2002.
• Paul A. Monahan (Diocese of Des Moines, IA): As a St. Albert high school chaplain, Monahan was accused of an invasion of privacy in 2016. He was charged with an invasion of privacy after watching several high school boys use the bathroom after a Catholic school track meet. He was sentenced to a 30-day jail sentence for each count of invasion of privacy and had to be listed as a registered sex offender for ten years. His conviction was overturned two years later, in 2018.

Our attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have reviewed public and private settlement data related to Iowa clergy abuse settlements. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you might receive compensation between $400,000 and $950,000. If it’s an extreme case or goes to trial, your settlement could be $1 million or more.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

People alleged sexual abuse against many Catholic Priests in Iowa, and if you’ve been abused, choosing a law firm that understands the nuances of abuse within the church is vital. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has experience handling these cases and fighting for survivors’ rights.

$14 Million Priest grooming and handling	$4 Million Deacon assault and rape	$3 Million Clergy child abuse filed in adulthood
$3 Million Volunteer-perpetrated Catholic church abuse	$2 Million Religious school priest teen sexual abuse	$2 Million Clergy abuse case filed against a deceased priest

We have a proven track record with abuse cases in Iowa and will guide you through the lawsuit while still being sensitive to the issue at hand. We honor attorney client privilege and you’ll never have to worry about us sharing information about your sensitive case with others.

Not only can we provide you the legal support you need to get justice for yourself and prevent others from becoming victims, but we’ll help be there emotionally for you through the process too.

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.