List of Accused Priests in North Carolina
The issue of clergy and child sexual abuse within the North Carolina Catholic Diocese has a profound historical context. Over the years, numerous allegations have surfaced, revealing widespread abuse and the deep scars left on survivors.
Injury Lawyer Team is dedicated to seeking justice for these brave individuals, ensuring their voices are heard. We strive to hold the Catholic Church accountable and provide a path toward healing for all those affected by this injustice.
Table of Contents
| Last Name | First Name | Diocese | Status | Accusations (Summary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker | Donald Philip | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Accused | Baker was named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 12/29/19, after having sexually abused a teenage boy 1986-89. |
| Burton | Charles Jeffries | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Accused | Burton was placed on leave after allegations of inappropriate touching of a minor in 1982. He acknowledged the misconduct and was reassigned to the Camden diocese. |
| D’Silva | Aloysius Joseph | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Accused | The diocese received a report in 1998 that D’Silva touched and kissed a teenage girl. A file review found the allegation credible. |
| Corbesero | Eugene D. | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Convicted | Corbesero worked as a priest in five states, left his order in 1979 or 1981, laicized in 1983, and pled guilty to sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy in New Jersey. He was sentenced to five years prison. |
| Gallagher | John | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Accused | A teenager accused Gallagher of inappropriately touching her while he was filling in at Our Lady of Lourdes in Monroe. The family did not press charges. |
| Farwell | Richard B. | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Convicted | Farwell was placed on leave in 1985, sent to House of Affirmation in MA for treatment, and then back to the Charlotte diocese in 1988. He was accused of abuse of a 10- to 12-year-old boy in 1999, and was indicted in 2002. |
| Gavigan | P. Patrick | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Accused | A priest was named publicly as accused of sexually abusing a girl in 1973 at Our Lady of Grace in Greensboro. He denied the allegation. |
| Hoare | Patrick T. | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Accused | Pastor of St. Matthew’s in Charlotte, PA, Pat Hoare, was placed on leave in 12/2019 due to allegations of sexual abuse of a minor 25 years prior. He appealed to the Vatican, but remains on leave. |
| Gillespie | Francis P. | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Sued | Gillespie was removed from ministry by the Jesuits pending an investigation of an allegation that he sexually abused a boy, beginning when the boy was age 8, during 1994-99. He filed suit on 11/18/21. |
| Holmes | Adelbert | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Accused | Del Holmes was named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese of Owensboro on its list in 4/2019. He worked in NC, OH, AR, KY, VA, GA, and was also credibly accused of abuse in Franklin, KY. |
| Joyce | Donald J. | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Settled | Joyce was accused of sexually abusing two boys at Bishop Fallon High School in Buffalo, NY, one at age 11-13 in 1964-66 and the other at age 15-18 in 1962-65. He was barred from working as a priest in 2011 and at least since 2002. |
| Kaup | John Brian | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Sued | A 17-year-old girl filed a lawsuit against Kaup, a seminarian and youth minister, alleging sexual abuse and assault. Kaup countersued, saying the two had been in a dating relationship and that her parents approved. |
| Kelleher | Michael Joseph | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Sued | From Ireland, Kelleher was a Trappist monk in Ireland and New Zealand for many years prior to leaving Order. He was removed from assignment as chaplain at Bishop McGuinness High School after accusation of sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old boy in 1977. |
| Le | Peter Tan Van | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Accused | Le was named publicly as accused by the Charlotte diocese in 2019 of sexually abusing multiple minors. |
| Kuder | William J. | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Accused | Kuder was accused of sexually abusing a boy, ages 9-13, beginning in 1952, at St. Joan of Arc in Asheville. The boy’s two brothers said Kuder similarly abused them at ages 9-13. |
| Leonard | Patrick F. | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Accused | A priest was removed from his parish in Charlotte after credible allegations of sexual abuse. |
| Lynch | Damion Jacques | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Settled | A 1998 civil suit alleged Lynch abused twin brothers in the 1990s. He was sent to residential treatment, was re-assigned to parish in Charlotte in 1997, asked for leave in 1998, and laicized in 2009. |
| Scales | Donald F. | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Accused | Scales was named publicly as accused on 2/14/19 by the Diocese of Richmond, after it received information from the Diocese of Charlotte. He denied the allegation, and died in 2008. |
| Smith | Edward William | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Accused | Smith was named publicly as credibly accused by the Glenmary Home Missioners on its list 10/11/19, and was also included on the lists of the Charlotte diocese, the Raleigh diocese, the Cincinnati archdiocese, and the Richmond diocese. |
| Yurgel | Robert | Diocese of Charlotte NC | Convicted | Arrested in 2008, charged with sex abuse of a 14-year-old boy in 1999, transferred out of diocese in 10/99, sentenced to 7 years 8 months to 10 years prison, and defrocked in 2010. Victim filed civil suit in 12/20. |
| Denges | Peter Martin | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Accused | Msgr Peter Denges was named publicly by the Raleigh diocese as accused with a ‘semblance of truth’ on its list in 10/18. He was pastor of St John the Baptist in Roanoke Rapids NC and Dean of the Eastern Deanery. |
| Dolan | Hugh A. | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Accused | Msgr Dolan was named publicly as accused ‘with a semblance of truth’ by the Raleigh diocese in 10/18, and was pastor of St Pius X church in Greensboro NC from 1960-1975. |
| Garrity | Stephen M. | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Accused | The Jesuits removed him from Holy Cross in 2007 after he admitted to inappropriate sexual contact with five young adults, ages 18-23, in the early 1980s while in Baltimore and Philadelphia. He received therapy and died in 2014. |
| Corbin | Andre Anthony | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Convicted | In 1988, Corbin was criminally charged with abusing a boy in 1966. He was placed on sick leave in 1962-1964 and on leave 1970-1993, and was named in a 12/2003 suit in Springfield MA. |
| Hanneman | Louis | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Raleigh diocese on its list in 10/18. It notes an allegation in 2002 of abuse in 1972. |
| Ghisalberti | Giacomo | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Accused | From Italy, he was named publicly as accused by the Raleigh diocese on its list in 10/18, suspended. A Vatican petition is in progress, and he died on 10/19/20. |
| Gondek | Albert J. | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Sued | Member of Wilmington-Philadelphia Province of Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, allegedly molested a 30-year-old man during confession in Wilmington, NC in 1993. Order said it had Gondek undergo counseling, but he was kept in ministry. |
| Guzman | Jaime | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Raleigh diocese in 10/18, and included in 12/18 on the Jesuits Maryland Province list. Spent 2004-05 and 2006-08 in the Jesuit Community in Wernersville PA. |
| Hyland | John J. | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Accused | Hyland was named publicly as accused by the Raleigh diocese on its list in 10/18. He was working at St Pius X church in Greensboro when the abuse occurred, and was retired until his death on 11/23/75. |
| Parker | Kenneth R. | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Accused | After an investigation, the Raleigh diocese removed Parker’s faculties and he was placed on the Charlotte diocese’s list in 12/29/19. |
| Powers | John Aquinas | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Accused | Powers was named publicly as accused by the Dominicans’ St. Joseph Province on its list in late 2018, and died 10/19/10. He was on the lists of several dioceses since 2002. |
| III | Francis Andrew Perry, | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Accused | Drew was accused of abuse of a 4-year-old female relative in 1961, and of taking indecent liberties with a teenage boy 15 years prior. He admitted abuse of girl, denied other charges. |
| McSweeney | James E. | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Settled | Former chancellor and vicar general, who amassed nearly $1M at the time of his death, was accused of molesting a boy for three years. Claim settled for $120K in 2004. |
| Richardson | John | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list in 10/18. It notes report in 1988 of abuse in 1967. Removed from ministry. |
| Sepulveda | Edgar | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Charges Dropped | Former pastor of Maria Reina Parish in Mt. Olive, Santa Teresa Mission in Beulaville, and Santa Clara Mission in Magnolia was removed from the Raleigh diocese’s list in 2009 after accusations of sexual abuse. |
| Schulte | Raymond Francisco | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Sued | One alleged victim made a 9/02 statement that Schulte sexually molested him 10/88. He was accused of knowing about abuse by Dunstan Moorse and John Kelly, and was named in a new suit by two brothers claiming abuse in 1984-86. |
| Watkins | Thomas F. | Diocese of Raleigh NC | Accused | Watkins was placed on leave in 2002 after an allegation of sexual misconduct. He denied the allegation and was granted indefinite medical leave of absence in 2002. |
About Clergy Sexual Abuse
Clergy sexual abuse refers to the exploitation and sexual misconduct by clergy members, often involving minors. Sadly, the impact on victims is profound and often results in long-term psychological and spiritual pain. This impact is why reporting and seeking legal action against accused clergy is necessary to hold them accountable for their misdeeds and prevent further abuse.
In North Carolina, survivors typically report abuse to law enforcement or priestly faculties of the Catholic Diocese, followed by a civil lawsuit or criminal charges. The legal process encompasses gathering evidence, filing claims, and potentially pursuing damages through the court system, all while ensuring the survivor’s support.
Legal Support for Survivors in North Carolina
Injury Lawyer Team offer specialized legal services for survivors who report sexual abuse in North Carolina. Our experienced team provides compassionate support throughout the legal process, from filing claims to seeking damages. With a deep understanding of these sensitive cases, we are committed to securing justice and advocating for the rights and well-being of survivors.
Laws and Regulations in North Carolina
In North Carolina, clergy abuse allegations cases are governed by several key laws and regulations. Know that the statute of limitations for civil claims involving alleged abuse by clergy members has been extended to allow survivors more time to seek justice.
Statute of Limitations: Survivors can now file civil lawsuits until their 28th birthday after the alleged abuse occurred. Meanwhile, criminal charges for sexually abusing individuals must generally be brought within three years of the offense if the victim is aged over 18.
Mandatory reporting Laws: Catholic clergy in North Carolina must report any suspected child sexual abuse to authorities, including the Department of Social Services, though exceptions exist for confessional communications. Failure to report can result in criminal penalties.
Recent Legislative Changes: Recent changes have strengthened survivors’ rights. The Safe Child Act, enacted in 2019, extended the statute of limitations for civil suits, increased penalties for offenders, and improved reporting and tracking mechanisms for child abuse cases.
These changes reflect a growing recognition of the need for greater accountability and support for sexually assaulted victims.
Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in North Carolina
Filing a lawsuit against clergy sexual abuse in North Carolina involves several critical steps. Understanding this process helps victims seek justice effectively.
- Initial Consultation: Contact Injury Lawyer Team for a confidential consultation. Our team will discuss your case and determine the best legal strategy.
- Gathering Evidence: Collect and document all relevant information, including personal accounts, medical records, and any communications related to the abuse.
- Filing the Complaint: We will draft and file a legal complaint with the court, outlining your credible allegations and seeking damages.
- Discovery: Both parties will exchange evidence and witness information during this phase, which may involve interrogatories.
- Pre-Trial Motions: Attorneys may file motions to resolve certain issues before trial, such as motions to dismiss or for summary judgment.
- Negotiation: Settlement discussions may occur to resolve the case outside of court. If a fair agreement is reached, the case may be settled.
- Trial: If a settlement isn’t possible, your case will proceed to trial, where both sides present their arguments before a judge.
- Post-Trial: Depending on the outcome, there may be appeals or enforcement of the judgment.
If you or someone you know is a survivor of abuse committed explicitly by clergy members of the Catholic Church, contact Injury Lawyer Team today for expert legal support.
Support Resources for Survivors in North Carolina
Luckily, survivors of child sexual abuse in North Carolina have access to various support resources tailored to aid both their legal and emotional healing. Remember, seeking these resources is crucial for comprehensive support and overcoming the heartfelt sorrow they endured.
- Rape Crisis Center of Mecklenburg County
Provides counseling, support groups, and crisis intervention services for survivors of sexual torture. - North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA)
Offers statewide resources, including advocacy and support groups tailored for survivors of sexual violence. - National Sexual Assault Hotline
Available 24/7 at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), providing immediate assistance and referrals to local services. - Carolinas Healthcare System Behavioral Health Services
Offers specialized therapy and counseling for trauma survivors, including those who were repeatedly abused.
Seeking legal assistance is necessary for survivors to navigate the recovery process and pursue justice against clergy credibly accused of sexual violence.
Notable Cases and Outcomes in North Carolina
Our attorneys have reviewed public and private settlement data related to North Carolina clergy abuse settlements. Depending on the circumstances pertaining to your case, these cases may be fairly valued in the $400,000 to $950,000 range. In cases of extreme conduct or if that case were to go before a jury, damages could exceed $1 million.
Damion Jacques Lynch: In the 1990s, two brothers filed lawsuits against former priest Lynch. These credible abuse allegations resulted in the Diocese of Charlotte settling with the family of the sexually abused survivors in Watauga County Superior Court.
Charles Jeffries Burton: The co-director of youth ministry for the Charlotte Diocese, Burton, acknowledged inappropriate touching of a minor.
Adelbert Holmes: A member of William Catholic Church, Holmes was accused by the Glenmary Home Mission Society of abusing three minors.
Robert Yurgel: A chaplain at St. Mary’s and member of the Charlotte Diocese and Capuchin Franciscans, Yurgel served nearly eight years in prison after a man reported being abused by him at age 14.
Michael Joseph Kelleher: A member of the Raleigh Diocese, Kelleher admitted to repeatedly taking indecent liberties with a minor boy at St. Michael Church and St. Matthew Church.
Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team
Injury Lawyer Team stand firm with the survivors of sexual violence committed by credibly accused clergy in North Carolina. Our firm has extensive experience handling sensitive abuse cases, and we have a long history of tilting legal verdicts in our favor. We understand the unique challenges survivors face. Therefore, we strive to provide a supportive environment to our clients throughout the legal process.
| $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 commitment to justice means we fight tirelessly to hold credibly accused accountable and advocate for the rights of survivors. With Injury Lawyer Team, you gain a dedicated team that prioritizes your well-being and strives for the justice you deserve.
Contact Us
If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse committed by a clergy member of the Catholic Church in North Carolina, Injury Lawyer Team is here to help. Reach out for a confidential consultation to discuss your case.
- Call us at (888) 424-5757
- Email: Contact us via email at info@injurylawyerteam.com
- Contact Form: Visit our contact page to fill out a confidential contact form.
Your path to justice starts with a simple call.
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.
