List of Accused Priests in Kentucky
Abuse within the Kentucky Catholic Diocese has been an issue for far longer than most people are aware of. This troubling matter of sexually abused church members has been happening for years, even if many cases are surfacing decades later.
It shows a pattern of abuse and systemic cover-ups within the Catholic Church. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are committed to seeking justice and supporting survivors in Kentucky with legal and emotional support as they choose to come forward.
Table of Contents
| Last Name | First Name | Diocese | Status | Accusations (Summary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auer | Oderic | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | Assigned in NY, NJ, IN, IL, MI, KY. Died in 1950. Named publicly as accused by the Louisville archdiocese on its list in 2/2019 (name misspelled Orderic). |
| Boone | Bernard S. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list in 2/2019. Died in 1983. |
| Bowling | Robert A. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Settled | Bowling was ordained for the Archdiocese of Louisville and transferred to Reno NV in 1969. He was incardinated in 1972 and settled with eleven victims in 2003 for $25.7M. |
| Borman | Ronald | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Convicted | Arrested 10/11/2006 on charges of internet child seduction, worked as a priest 1992-1998, left the priesthood in 1998, and taught in Louisville public middle schools until his arrest. |
| Brian | Bertrand J. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list in 2/2019. Died in 2005. |
| Bradunas | Ernest P. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | A woman filed suit against the Xaverians, alleging that she was abused by a teacher. |
| Bronk | Philip | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | James Bronk was a chaplain at Little Flower Haven in La Mesa, CA, where he led pilgrimages to holy sites throughout the world. |
| Kentigern | H. Carbin/Br. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | Joined the Xaverians in 1946. Left in 1963. Named publicly as accused by the Order on its list 7/12/2019. It notes allegations reported in 2004 and 2011 of abuse in Louisville, KY in the early 1960s. Deceased. |
| Bradley | Joseph Edward | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | A minor was sexually abused by Bradley in the 1980s while he was principal of Owensboro Catholic High School. The Vatican lifted the suspension, but imposed a restriction that he not enter any primary or secondary school for five years. |
| Jr. | Marvin A. Carney, | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Arrested | Nicknamed “Skip”, Carney was arrested for sexual abuse, sodomy, distribution of obscene material to a minor and unlawful transaction with a minor, the same week he was to be ordained to the priesthood. Charges were dropped, and Carney was ordained in 1986. |
| Casper | Thomas P. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Parish priest accused of forcing a boy to perform oral sex in 1964-1965 and of abusing a youth around 1955-1956. |
| Carrico | Joseph E. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Gene Carrico was accused of sexually abusing girls while a priest, at least one as young as age 7. He denied the allegations in the first two lawsuits, but did not comment on the others. |
| Caster | William Patrick | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | A woman filed a suit in 2003 against Caster, alleging molestation when she was about age 10. |
| Clark | Daniel C. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Guilty plea | After being removed from ministry in 1988, a priest was sentenced to 15 years’ probation and 90 days in jail. He was convicted of abusing two brothers in 2003, but was released from prison in 2007. |
| Clark | Thomas R. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Settled | In 1998, the Archdiocese paid $30K to settle allegations against Clark. They decided no abuse occurred, but offered the alleged victim a financial settlement. |
| Cole | Kevin | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | At least five suits were filed in 2002 claiming abuse of girls. Died in 1991. May have also abused in Ohio prior to arrival in Kentucky. Included on the Louisville archdiocese’s list in 2/2019. |
| Creagh | Thomas P. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Settled | Archdiocese contributed $10K to a settlement with a victim after knowing of abuse in 1983. The priest was permanently removed from active ministry in 2002. |
| Creed | C. Patrick | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Creed was accused of making sexually inappropriate comments to a teen in 1951. He died in 2001 and was included on the Archdiocese’s list of accused in 2019. |
| Cummings | Charles H. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | Br. Lucas. Joined the Xaverians in 1933. Died in 1995. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 7/12/2019. Allegation reported in 2018 of abuse in 1968 in Louisville. |
| Cronin | James Patrick | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | A woman named Cronin claimed she was abused as a child by Cronin, two other nuns, and Fr. Lammers at St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage. |
| Galatine | Madeline de Paul | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Sued in 2004. Accused of abusing two girls and a boy, who were siblings, in the 1950s and 1960s at St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage. Deceased. |
| DeWitt | Robert A. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list in 2/2019. Died in 1999. |
| Dearing | Charles F. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Settled | Parish priest, Air Force chaplain, left the priesthood in 1971, married and raised a family, and pleaded not guilty to abuse charges. |
| Dollinger | Robert J. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Accused of abuse in four civil suits filed in 2002. Removed from active ministry in 2002 and ordered to live a life of prayer and penance by the Vatican in 2005. |
| Ewing | Bruce O. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Convicted | Left the priesthood in 1977, married and raised a family, and was charged with rape and sodomy in the early 1970s. He was found guilty of one count, sentenced to 5 years’ probation, and laicized in 2004. |
| Dominic | Francis | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Anthony Salomone was named as an abuser of at least six boys in lawsuits filed in 2002 in KY. He was included on the Louisville archdiocese’s list in 2/2019. |
| Donahue | Mary Camilla | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Sr. Camilla Donahue was accused of abuse of at least four girls at St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage. |
| Elder | John A. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Elder was accused of abuse of at least two minor females in 1959, and of abuse of a woman in 1973. |
| Emerine | Daniel | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Settled | Six lawsuits were filed against the Louisville archdiocese in 2002, and two additional lawsuits were filed in 2003. Several plaintiffs said they told church officials and/or teachers but no one believed them. |
| Gallagher | John Donald | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | A woman filed suit in 2002 alleging abuse in 1950 by Rev. “Bernard” Gallagher at Holy Trinity Church. She claimed she developed obsessive-compulsive disorders the next year. |
| Giesler | Linus T. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | A man filed a lawsuit in 2002 against two priests, alleging he was abused at ages 7-11. |
| Gish | Jean | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Martha Jean “Jeannie” Gish. Accused in a 7/26/2004 lawsuit of sexually abusing a girl at Presentation Academy. The alleged victim also said she was abused by Sisters Mary Ann Powers, Joseph Anthony, Charles, and Arthur. Gish died in 12/2021. |
| Gray | Robert B. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Accused of abuse of a boy, placed on leave, returned to active status, died in 2021. |
| Greenwell | George R. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | A woman filed a suit in 2019 alleging that a “Fr. Greenwell” abused her in 1951 in a school restroom. |
| Griffith | James | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Convicted | Passionist deacon convicted of abuse of a boy in the 1970s. Served 60 days’ jail and 5 years probation, and was added to the Detroit archdiocese’s list in 4/2021. |
| Gunther | Frank | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list in 2/2019. Died in 1991. |
| Hagan | James E. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Accused of sexual abuse of an 11-year-old girl in 1956 at St. Leo the Great, Hagan left the priesthood in 1973, and was laicized in 1974. |
| Hargadon | James E. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Convicted | Four civil suits were filed in 2002 by men accusing Hargadon of abuse when they were altar boys. Hargadon was twice criminally convicted of abuse in 2004 and died in 2005. |
| Hemmerle | Raymond Joseph | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Convicted | A man told the Archdiocese that Hemmerle molested him at age 11 in the mid-1970s at a summer camp. Hemmerle was placed on leave and later reinstated. Active until 5/2014 when removed after a new allegation of abuse in the 1970s. Indicted on six counts of sodomy and three charges of sex abuse, sentenced to 7 years in prison, and denied parole. |
| Herp | Joseph T. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Sued in 2002 and 2003 by four men alleging abuse 1970s-1980s. Privileges permanently removed in 2002, laicization announced in 2005. |
| Kilkenny | James Louis-Bertrand | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | Dominican St. Joseph Province named him publicly as accused in late 2018. He died in 1985. |
| Howard | Frances | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Settled | In 2004 Howard was accused of sexually abusing a girl at St. Vincent Orphanage in Louisville, Kentucky. The Order settled with almost all plaintiffs with claims. |
| Kuntz | Lawrence | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | Lawrence Kuntz, a priest from Ontario, Canada, was accused of molesting a boy at age 7 in 1928 at St. Cecilia’s in Louisville, KY. The case against the Vatican was dropped in 8/2010. |
| McCormack | James R. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | Br. Pierre was accused of abuse in the early 1980s and was removed from ministry with adolescents. |
| Lammers | Herman J. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Lammers was director of Catholic Charities 1939-1976 and was named as an abuser in numerous suits filed 2002-2004. He was included in a large settlement in 2006 with numerous victims. |
| Mackan | Patrick | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Mackan was accused of sexually abusing a 17-year-old Canadian girl after she had been raped and impregnated by another man. The abuse occurred during trips to the U.S. |
| Magel | John E. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | A man claimed that a retired priest exposed himself to a group of boys while camping. The priest was returned to active status after a review by the Archbishop. |
| Meisner | Theodore | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Accused of fondling a 13-year-old youth during a counseling session in 1981, Meisner left the priesthood in 1989. |
| Miller | Louis E. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Convicted | Archbishop Floersh refused Miller’s resignation in 1961, but he was named in at least 94 civil suits in 2002-2003. He pleaded guilty to abuse of 21 children and received a 20 year sentence. |
| Mouser | Joseph Irvin | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Settled | Placed on leave in 2002, five men filed separate civil suits accusing him of abusing them as minors in the late 1960s-early 1970s, and in 2020 he was discovered working as chaplain for the Sisters of Loretto in KY. |
| Neeson | Joseph T. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | In 2002, a priest was accused of abusing an altar boy. The plaintiff was in prison serving time for forgery, sexual abuse, theft, and being a persistent felon. |
| Pfalzer | Juvenal Carl | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese of Louisville in 2/2019, died 3/6/2002, and was included on several other lists of priests with substantiated allegations against them. |
| Pereira | Anthony Louise | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | A man joined a multi-plaintiff lawsuit against the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Fr. Herman Lammers, and several nuns, claiming he was sexually abused by Pereira and another nun. |
| Pieper | Kent | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | Paul Pieper was named publicly as accused by the Louisville archdiocese on its list in 2/2019. He died 9/10/1994. |
| Pohl | Stephen A. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Convicted | Pastor St. Mary Margaret was arrested for accessing child porn and was sentenced to 33 months in prison. A lawsuit was filed against the Archdiocese by parents of a boy victimized by Pohl at age 7 in 2014 and again in 2015. |
| Powers | Mary Ann | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Eight women and one man sued Powers for abuse at St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage. Powers died in 1995, age 92. |
| Salamone | Anthony | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Settled | Five civil suits were filed in 2002 against Br. Francis Dominic, which were settled in 2003. |
| Rives | Joseph J. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Three women claimed Rives sexually abused them as girls between 1962-1964. Two suits were dismissed for being filed too late. |
| Ryan | Donald L. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Settled | Two men filed separate suits against Ryan, alleging abuse as children. The claims were settled, and Ryan returned to active ministry. |
| Scherzer | Edwin J. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Convicted | Scherzer was accused of abuse in 2002, removed from ministry in 2002, and pleaded guilty in 2005 to abuse of four boys in the late 1950s-early 1960s. He was sentenced to five years’ house arrest and died in 2017 |
| Schneider | Caroline Mary | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Sr. Mary Jane Schneider was accused of abusing a girl at Most Blessed Sacrament parish school. |
| Schook | James R. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Convicted | Schook was removed from the priesthood in 2009 after an allegation of sexual abuse. He was convicted of three counts of sodomy and one count of indecent or immoral practice in 2014 and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. |
| Savino | Dominic | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Settled | After allegations of abuse of two brothers and others, the president of Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino CA was removed in 2002 and separated from the Carmelite Order in 2005. |
| Sippel | Anselm | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Louisville archdiocese in 2/2019, and died in 3/1985. Added to the Gallup diocese’s list in 11/2021. |
| | Arthur | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | A woman filed suit in 2004 alleging abuse by nuns at St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage and Holy Spirit School. |
| Marie | Eva | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Accused in a civil suit filed in 2004 by approximately 50 people of abusing a child in the 1960s and 1970s s at St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage. |
| | Charles | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | A woman filed suit in 7/04 against Msgr. Herman J. Lammers and five nuns at St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage, alleging abuse by Sister Charles. |
| Anthony | Joseph | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | A woman alleges that Sister Joseph Anthony, a nun at St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage, abused her as a child. |
| Spalding | Leon C. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | A woman filed suit against Spalding in 2003, alleging that he molested her after confession in the early 1970s. Spalding denied the allegation. |
| Michael | Joseph | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Accused in a 7/27/2004 lawsuit of sexually abusing four girls in the 1950s and 1960s at St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage. Also accused in a suit filed 7/14/2005 of abusing a boy at the orphanage in the 1960s and 1970s. |
| Jane | Mary | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Sr. Mary Jane was accused of abusing a girl at Presentation Academy, and was removed from ministry pending investigation. |
| Stoltz | Joseph H. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Stoltz was placed on restricted ministry in 1991 and sued in 2002 for abuse of a boy in the 1970s. He resigned from the priesthood in 2004. |
| Stuecker | Mary Alma | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Accused in a 7/2004 lawsuit of of abuse of a boy at St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage in Anchorage, KY. The Order denied any other allegations against Stuecker. She is deceased. |
| Thieneman | Helen | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | A woman filed suit in 2003 alleging that Thieneman sexually abused her several times in the 1974-1975 school year. The nun was assigned to a hospital in a controlled environment, but the woman went to Archbishop Kelly in 1992. |
| Thompson | James W. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Thompson was ordained in London, Ontario, Canada and incardinated in 1970 into the Archdiocese of Louisville. Two men filed separate lawsuits against Thompson in 2003. |
| Waldie | George J. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list in 2/2019. Died in 1996. |
| Vessels | Henry G. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Vessels was accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy in Mount Washington 1969-1970. He died in 1980 at age 55. |
| Willett | Stanislas Kotska | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Sued | Willett, Rev. Herman J. Lammers and Sr. Frances Howard were accused of sexually abusing a girl at St. Vincent Orphanage in Louisville. |
| Williams | J. Kendrick | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Settled | Bishop of Lexington resigned in 2002 after allegations of abuse by three former altar boys. The Archdiocese later settled with the three men and removed him from public ministry. |
| Wood | Arthur L. | Archdiocese of Louisville KY | Settled | In 1995, the Archdiocese paid the accuser of sexually abusing a boy $10,500 and provided counseling in exchange for his promise of confidentiality. |
| Fritsch | James Edward | Diocese of Covington KY | Settled | Edward Fritsch was accused of raping a girl, age 13, in 1966. A settlement revealed that the Covington Diocese had hospitalized Fritsch in 1965 after he had “contact with about 9 to 10 girls”, one age 15. |
| Arbogast | Paul Marion | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | In 2003, a priest was removed from Covington Latin School after allegations of abuse. He was named in pleadings in other pending litigation against the Covington and Lexington dioceses, where he worked at Lexington Catholic High School 1981-1986. |
| Berberich | Robert Alan | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Named publicly by the diocese on its 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Left ministry in 1991. |
| Bamberger | Frederick Gervais | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Named publicly by the diocese on its 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 12/1/1971. |
| Bierman | Earl Charles | Diocese of Covington KY | Convicted | First complaints received in 1961; may have abused 100s of boys; long time Covington Latin School faculty member; removed from the faculty in 1992. Arrested in 1992 for sodomizing a boy, age 15, in 1974, and convicted of abuse of six boys in 1993. |
| Bertke | Marlene | Diocese of Covington KY | Sued | A former student nun filed a lawsuit in 2002 alleging that she was abused in 1959 by Sister Christopher and that she was previously abused by another nun and a third nun. |
| Birochik | Mary Justa | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Birochik entered the Convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1939 and worked at St. Joseph Orphanage from 1950-1952. |
| Bradley | Joseph L. | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | From the Diocese of Salford, Manchester, England. Worked in the Diocese of Covington 1964-1966. Included on the Diocese of Covington’s 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). |
| Broering | Raymond Leo | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the Covington diocese’s list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Retired 8/1/1995. |
| Bryan | Thomas | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the Diocese of Covington’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Assigned to Newport Catholic High School 1964-1965. Died 4/16/2020. |
| Browne | Joseph Aloysius | Diocese of Covington KY | Sued | James Aloysius Browne was sued in 2003 for raping a girl at a children’s home. He left the priesthood in 1969, married, and moved to Canada. |
| Chappa | Raymond | Diocese of Covington KY | Settled | Chappa was included on several lists after he was laicized, including the Diocese of Covington’s, the Lexington diocese’s, the New Orleans archdiocese’s, and the Cincinnati archdiocese’s. |
| Ciangetti | Paul Peter | Diocese of Covington KY | Settled | Ciangetti was named in a 2002 employment suit by a father and son, and was also named in two additional suits filed in 2003. He was paid $50K by the diocese for the abuse claim. |
| Dickmann | Louis Henry | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | “Lou.” Included on the diocese’s 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Suspended 3/24/2014. Died 10/6/2021. |
| Donovan | Charles Anthony | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 10/21/1990. |
| Fitzgerald | Gerald M. | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Name included on the diocese’s 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 3/13/1985. |
| Frazier | Richard | Diocese of Covington KY | Settled | Frazier was removed from ministry in 2006 after allegations of abuse in the late 1970s-early 1980s, and also accused of abuse of a child in the late 1990s, while a priest. |
| Fortner | Douglas F. | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Placed on leave in 11/2006, charter suspended in 2/2009, laicized in 1/27/2010, died 1/30/2015. |
| Gieske | Bernard John | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Left ministry in 1974. Laicized 1/4/1975. |
| Goeke | John Wiley | Diocese of Covington KY | Settled | Jack Goeke was a priest who was accused of sexually abusing two girls in the early 1960s. He was permanently removed in 2002 after the Dallas Bishops Conference and was honored at an event in 2018 by a housing non-profit. |
| Gruber | Robert Louis | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Retired in 1998. Died 2/3/2003. Name included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). |
| Hartman | Ralph Clarence | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). “Charter Suspension” 9/9/2002 noted. Died 7/9/2020. |
| Hils | Henry Charles | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 1/3/1982. |
| Holtz | Raymond Charles | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Retired 7/1/2001. Died 11/27/2003. Named included on diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). (Brother of accused priest Louis Holtz.) |
| Imbus | Mary Eugene | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Given name Rosemary Imbus. Included on the Diocese of Covington’s list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Worked at Villa Madonna Academy 1955-1958. Dispensed from vows 6/3/1966. Went on to marry. Died 4/15/2005. |
| Holtz | Louis Joseph | Diocese of Covington KY | Settled | A man told the Diocese that Holtz sexually abused him as a boy 1974-1975. Claims were settled in 1997 and Holtz agreed to be laicized. |
| Kamlage | Herman Bernard | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Court records show accusations against Kamlage of the abuse of at least six boys, ages 5-18, during visits to the priest’s cabin at Lake Carnico. |
| Klein | Robert Paul | Diocese of Covington KY | Settled | Accused of abusing a youth in 1964 at Sacred Heart Parish in Bellevue, Klein told Bishop Ackerman; nothing else done. Included on the Lexington diocese’s list of those with substantiated allegation(s) of abuse. |
| Kleman | James Edward | Diocese of Covington KY | Settled | A woman joined a class action suit against the diocese, alleging that Kleman had abused her and her brother. Kleman died in 1974. |
| Lally | Daniel Michael | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Retired in 1986. Died 12/13/1991. |
| Lloyd | Thomas Victor | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Suspended in 1993. |
| Leslie | Larry Bruce | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list of those with substantiated allegation(s) of abuse, rescinded permission to serve in Navy, charter suspension, last known location CA. |
| McClanahan | Raymond Anthony | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 12/1/1978. |
| MacPherson | David Mark | Diocese of Covington KY | Settled | Two women filed a class action suit against the Diocese of Covington after claiming that MacPherson molested them in the 1960s. The diocese paid $750K to the two women and a man. |
| Mertes | William Henry | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Retired in 1981. Died 4/22/2003. |
| Middendorf | Norbert Henry | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 5/7/1970. |
| Meyer | David | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Meyer was placed on leave in 2007 after an allegation of abuse of a public school student thirty years prior. |
| Miller | Gary Albert | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). “Charter Suspension” 9/10/2002. Died 7/28/2016. |
| Moscowitz | Reuben Thomas | Diocese of Covington KY | Convicted | Moscowitz was charged in 1952 with transporting a 14-year-old Newport girl from KY to Washington DC for “immoral purposes”. He was convicted in 1953 and sentenced to two years in prison. |
| Neuroth | William Charles | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Laicized 12/18/1970. Became an Anglican Catholic priest in 1980. Died 5/4/2018. |
| Nieman | Raymond Lawrence | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Retired in 1981. Died 1/7/2002. |
| Muench | Joseph Nicholas | Diocese of Covington KY | Convicted | Muench was ordained for the Diocese of Covington, incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington, and was indicted for the abuse of two accusers in the 1980s and 1984-1985. He was sentenced to two one-year terms in prison, to run concurrently. |
| Osterhage | John Albert | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 4/27/1973, age 40. |
| Ott | Michael David | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Left active ministry in 1988. |
| Reinersman | Gerald L. | Diocese of Covington KY | Sued | Reinersman was placed on leave in 2004 after a man alleged that Reinersman molested him repeatedly as a young boy in 1979. A special civilian review board handled this case. |
| Rettger | Emmeran | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Rettger was named publicly as accused by the St. Vincent Abbey Benedictines in 8/2018. He was removed from active ministry in 1993. |
| Schutzman | John Stanley | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the Covington diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Retired in 1990. Died 11/26/1996. |
| Schumacher | George Joseph | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Schumacher was permanently removed in 2003 due to a 1983 allegation that he plied a 13-year-old boy with alcohol, then sexually molested him during a campout. He was given a parish assignment in 1996. |
| | Julia | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd (R.G.S.). Worked at the Good Shepherd Home 1950-1951. |
| | Michael | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Name included on the Diocese of Covington’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Worked at Good Shepherd Home 1950-1951. |
| | Reparata | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Member of the Sisters of Divine Providence (C.D.P.). Name included on the Covington diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Worked at St. Bernard Elementary School 1958-1966. Died 3/16/1987. |
| Steidle | Mark A. | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | After allegations that he had inappropriately touched a minor, he was removed from ministry and placed in RECON/Wounded Brothers Proect, where he died in 2009. |
| | Terrance | Diocese of Covington KY | Sued | A former student nun filed a lawsuit alleging that she was fondled at St. Walburg Convent by a Sister Terrance, whose given name was unknown, and by another nun. |
| Strathern | Richard | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Name included on the Diocese of Covington’s list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Assigned to Covington Catholic High School 1966-1972. Withdrew from the Order 4/16/1973. |
| Trimbur | Leo Francis | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Ordained for the Diocese of Covington. Incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington when it was created in 1988. Included on the Covington diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 2/23/2004. |
| Wendeln | Robert Anthony | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the Diocese of Covington’s 7/31/2020 list of those with substantiated allegation(s). Left the diocese in 1968. Died 1/1/1987. |
| Wethington | Paul Volk | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Ordained for the Diocese of Covington. Incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington when it was created in 1988. Included on the Covington diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 5/6/1998. |
| Wilhelm | Joseph | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | De La Salle Christian Brothers member who taught at Newport Catholic High School from 1963-1977. |
| Witt | George Robert | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Parish priest, teacher, Navy chaplain. Retired to Palm Beach FL 7/1/1988. Died 5/25/2004. |
| Wolfzorn | Paul Aloysius | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 8/31/1988. |
| Wolke | Irwin Charles | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Included on the Covington diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Died 12/14/1978. On the Lexington diocese’s list in 8/2020, where he was assigned 1960-1965. |
| Zaumeyer | David Harry | Diocese of Covington KY | Accused | Parish priest, teacher, KY state police chaplain. Included on the diocese’s list 7/31/2020 of those with substantiated allegation(s). Left active ministry in 1973. Married. Died 5/1/1983. |
| Fedders | William J. | Diocese of Lexington KY | Sued | A man reported that Fedders sexually abused him three times in 1983 when he was a 14-year-old 8th grader and altar boy at Christ the King in Lexington. The Diocese offered only to pay for counseling, and the man filed a civil suit. |
| Gallenstein | Stephen Francis | Diocese of Lexington KY | Settled | Gallenstein was ordained for the Diocese of Covington and incardinated into the Lexington diocese when it was established in 1988. He was permanently removed from ministry in 2003 and was asked to laicize by the Vatican. |
| Murray | Edward Francis | Diocese of Lexington KY | Sued | Several plaintiffs alleged abuse by Murray and other priests in a 2002 civil lawsuit. The suit also named the Covington and Lexington dioceses. Died 4/13/1996. |
| Modica | Balthasar John | Diocese of Lexington KY | Settled | The Diocese was warned several times about Modica’s behavior, and he was accused of abuse of a teenage boy in the mid-1970s. He was retired in 2000 and included on the Covington diocese’s list of those with substantiated allegation(s). |
| Nienaber | Leonard Bernard | Diocese of Lexington KY | Convicted | Nienaber was ordained for the Diocese of Covington, which encompassed Lexington, and was assigned to Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary in Lexington. He was indicted in 1993 and convicted of sexual abuse of as many as 18 minors. |
| Poole | William George | Diocese of Lexington KY | Settled | Poole was ordained for the Diocese of Covington, incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington in 1988, and placed on leave for a year in 2002. He was reinstated in 2004 despite a 2003 allegation of sexual abuse. |
| Schaffer | Carl Casper | Diocese of Lexington KY | Accused | Schaffer was a priest in the Diocese of Covington, KY. He died by suicide after being questioned about a decades-old abuse allegation. |
| Baker | Gerald H. | Diocese of Owensboro KY | Accused | Pastor of St. Mary of the Woods in Whitesville KY since 6/2012, suspended after allegations of sex abuse by him as a minor. Included in 4/12/2019 on the Owensboro diocese’s list of priests with substantiated allegations. |
| Alexander | Joseph J. | Diocese of Owensboro KY | Accused | Alexander was placed on leave by the Lafayette LA diocese in 2002 due to an allegation that he had abused a teen boy prior to ordination in the early 1960s, while a Benedictine brother. Alexander acknowledged his involvement in the incident. |
| Byrd | Freddie | Diocese of Owensboro KY | Reinstated | A 23-year-old man shot and killed himself outside of Byrd’s then-parish, Blessed Mother, in 2008, after writing that he had experienced “pain and torment” because of sexual abuse in the Catholic church. |
| Clemons | Delma | Diocese of Owensboro KY | Settled | Accused along with two other priests of abuse of a girl in the 1960s. The victim settled with the Diocese in 1999 for $41K, but died by suicide in 2003. |
| Hancock | Walter A. | Diocese of Owensboro KY | Accused | Identified publicly as accused on 4/12/2019 Owensboro diocesan list, which stated: “multiple allegations deemed substantiated.” |
| Henninger | J. Gilbert | Diocese of Owensboro KY | Accused | Multiple allegations were received after his death, but deemed substantiated. He died in 1990. |
| Meredith | John R. | Diocese of Owensboro KY | Accused | Meredith was placed on medical leave in early 12/2013, but was removed later in the month for credible accusations of inappropriate conduct with a minor. The case was closed in 2014, but the priest was still on leave. |
| Pilger | Joseph J. | Diocese of Owensboro KY | Convicted | Ordained for the Diocese of Covington, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing three brothers and their cousin in the 1960s, received five years’ probation, and was later murdered by a 26-year-old man who had been living with him. |
| Piskula | Louis Francis | Diocese of Owensboro KY | Convicted | Piskula was arrested in 2012 after a Grand Jury indicted him on charges of first-degree sodomy, victim under 12, and first-degree sexual abuse. He pled guilty to first-degree sexual abuse in 2014 and was sentenced to five years’ prison. |
| Powers | Richard M. | Diocese of Owensboro KY | Settled | Powers was accused with two other priests of abusing a girl in the 1960s. The family returned the settlement and filed suit, saying the girl didn’t have the capacity to enter into a settlement. |
| Speaks | John | Diocese of Owensboro KY | Accused | Speaks was identified publicly as accused on 4/12/2019 and worked at a bank for 15 years without the title ‘Fr.’ or ‘Rev.’ |
| Wheatley | Robert Carroll | Diocese of Owensboro KY | Accused | Wheatley was first identified publicly as accused on the 4/12/2019 Owensboro diocese’s list of priests with substantiated allegations, and was included in 8/2021 on the Diocese of Fresno’s list of credibly accused. |
| Wieder | Henry | Diocese of Owensboro KY | Accused | Wieder was first identified publicly as accused on the 4/12/2019 Owensboro diocesan list of priests with substantiated allegations. He left active ministry in 2003. |
| Willett | Joseph Robert | Diocese of Owensboro KY | Settled | Willet was accused of abusing a girl in the 1960s. Her family returned the settlement money and filed suit, saying she didn’t have capacity to enter into settlement. |
About Clergy Abuse
Clergy abuse is the inappropriate sexual behavior by church officials toward an adult or child. Sex abuse has long-lasting and profound impacts on the victims, regardless of age. Adult and child sexual abuse causes emotional, spiritual, and psychological trauma that can take years to overcome.
Reporting clergy abuse to the Kentucky state police and other entities is difficult for many, but it’s the first step in getting justice and an abuser behind bars. The legal process for clergy abuse in Kentucky generally involves reporting the abuse to the police, filing a complaint, hiring a trusted clergy abuse attorney, gathering evidence, and negotiating to settle or go to trial.
Legal Support for Survivors in Kentucky
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are here to provide comprehensive legal services to survivors of clergy abuse in Kentucky.
Our legal team has experience and knowledge on how to handle sensitive cases with professionalism and the utmost compassion. Our combination of compassion and experience allows us to be an ally for survivors seeking justice.
Laws and Regulations in Kentucky
In an effort to help survivors seek justice and prevent abuse, Kentucky has implemented various laws and regulations. Kentucky has statutes of limitations surrounding a civil suit related to sexual abuse. Victims have until 28 years old or ten years from the date they determined the behavior was abuse to file a suit. In addition to this, they’ve extended the statute of limitations for criminal suits, which gives survivors more time to bring charges against their abuser.
Kentucky also has mandatory reporting laws in place under their Kentucky Unified Juvenile Code. This requires anyone to report suspected abuse of a minor to the appropriate authorities. An issue with mandatory reporting laws is that clergy members are also considered mandatory reporters, which can cause the abuse to go unnoticed.
Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Kentucky
When a survivor is ready to come forward and file a lawsuit about sexual misconduct by a clergy member, there are several steps that need to be taken:
- First Consultation with an Attorney: You’ll choose a law firm and attorney with experience with these types of cases for your initial consultation. They’ll hear your case and then determine the best way to proceed with getting justice.
- Investigation into the Abuse: This involves gathering as much evidence of the abuse as possible. Evidence includes any documents and testimonies that will help build a strong case.
- Officially Filing the Lawsuit: You’ll officially have your lawsuit filed against the accused individual.
- Discovery Process: Both sides of the lawsuit will go over evidence and information surrounding the case.
- Settlement Negotiations or Trial: Your attorney and the other party’s attorney will attempt to come to a fair settlement outside of court. If they can’t, then the case will proceed to trial.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is prepared to hear your case and guide you along the way until you receive the settlement you deserve.
Support Resources for Survivors in Kentucky
Kentucky has various support resources for survivors of clergy abuse. Survivors can take advantage of specialized counseling services, crisis hotlines, and support groups to help them emotionally after the abuse. Some are state-wide, and others can be specific to certain cities:
- Rape Crisis Center of Central Kentucky
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-565-4673
- Kentucky Association of Sexual Assult Programs (KASAP)
The Louisville, KY, archdiocese, and other archdiocese throughout the state also offer support services in the form of victim advocates and counseling.
Notable Cases and Outcomes in Kentucky
The Lexington Diocese has released a list of priests accused of abuse. Many of these priests and clergy members have already passed away or resigned from their positions, but these are some of the most notable cases and outcomes:
- James K. Williams: Williams is a lifelong Catholic, attending St. Mary High School before pursuing a career within the Catholic Church. He is an accused priest with multiple allegations of abuse to minors in the 1980s. He resigned in 2002 after the accusations came to light, and the case was sent to the Vatican for investigation in 2019.
- Joseph Hemmerle: Hemmerle allegedly has multiple victims who have come forward after experiencing abuse while he worked at Trinity High School. He was charged with sex abuse and sodomy in 2014 and was convicted on one count of indecent or immoral practices with a child.
- Joseph E. Bradley: Bradley was the dean of students and principal of Owensboro Catholic High School in the 1980s. After allegations of abuse, he was suspended in 2019 as they came to light. The Owensboro Diocesean review board deemed these as substantiated allegations, but the Vatican reinstated him. He has never faced criminal charges.
Attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have reviewed public and private settlement data related to Kentucky clergy abuse settlements. Depending on the circumstances pertaining to your case, settlements can be in the $400,000 and $950,000 range. If your case goes before a jury or in the event of extreme misconduct, settlements might be $1 million or more.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
If you or someone you love has dealt with abuse within the Catholic Church, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is the firm you can trust. We’ll work tirelessly with you to hear your case, gather the evidence to build a strong case and help fight for the justice you want.
| $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 |
Our legal team has extensive experience handling child sexual abuse cases and other types of abuse cases. With our proven track record of securing settlements for our clients while maintaining a high level of compassion, you can see how committed to justice we are. Whether it’s a priest in the Lexington diocese or somewhere else in Kentucky, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has your back.
Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Clergy abuse is an unfortunate event, but you can take back control by seeking justice. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has the experience and compassion to help you start the healing process. For a confidential consultation, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here for you.
Contact us today by giving us a call at (888) 424-5757 or reaching out via our contact form.
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.
