South Carolina Priests Accused of Abuse
Clergy sexual abuse within the South Carolina Roman Catholic Diocese has a deeply troubling history, marked by numerous credible allegations. Over the years, many sexual abuse survivors have come forward with harrowing stories, shedding light on systemic issues within the church. This issue holds immense significance due to its impact on countless lives and the need for justice.
Our sexual abuse law firm, Injury Lawyer Team, is dedicated to supporting victims and survivors of these egregious acts and offering them legal advocacy.
South Carolina Catholic Diocese Priest Sex Abuse List
| Last Name | First Name | Diocese | Status | Accusations (Summary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burn | William | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 5/29/09. |
| Berberich | Peter | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 3/20/97. |
| Castano-Mejia | Juan Carlos | Diocese of Charleston SC | Convicted | Priest of the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Ipiales, Colombia, was arrested and indicted for child abuse in 2000. He was sentenced to 2 years in jail, 2 years probation, and required to pay restitution. |
| Aiken | Roy Francis | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 7/4/06. |
| Bench | John F. | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Ordained in Pittsburgh, relocated to Charleston, resigned after accusations of molestation, and asked to be reinstated, but the Bishop denied the request. |
| Collerett | Roger | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Priest of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) – Canada. On Charleston diocese’s list 3/29/19. Believed to have returned to Canada. |
| DuMouchel | Raymond | Diocese of Charleston SC | Charged | Retired in 1999, DuMouchel was charged with sexually molesting two girls in the 1950s. Charges were dropped in 2005 because of his dementia and inability to contribute to his own defense. |
| Condon | Eugene L. | Diocese of Charleston SC | Convicted | Indicted in 7/96 on charges of 1970s abuse of minors, resigned immediately, received 5 years probation, retired in 2006, and died 5/24/14. |
| Gonzalez-Farias | Jaime A. | Diocese of Charleston SC | Guilty plea | Gonazalez-Farias was placed on leave in late 11/2020 after the boy’s family reported inappropriate conduct, but not sexual abuse. Gonzalez-Farias was arrested in Miami FL 11/29/2022, pleaded guilty in 8/2023, and was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison. |
| Evatt | Thomas A. | Diocese of Charleston SC | Charged | Evatt was placed on leave in 2002 after accused of performing a lewd act on a boy, age 9, during a rectory overnight stay in 1977. He was found dead in his home in 2003. |
| Goodwin | Justin L. | Diocese of Charleston SC | Convicted | Arrested 1994 on charges of abusing four brothers, entered an Alford plea, and was sentenced to 10 years prison, suspended upon service of 5 years probation. |
| Hubacz | Leon Joseph | Diocese of Charleston SC | Settled | Named publicly as accused by the Charleston diocese on its list 3/29/19. Subject of a settlement. Died 6/28/99. |
| Hopwood | Frederick J. | Diocese of Charleston SC | Convicted | Accused of abusing multiple people, resigned in 12/93, pled guilty, was sentenced to three years probation, treatment and 250 hours public service, and died 4/30/17. |
| Kelly | Robert J. | Diocese of Charleston SC | Sued | Kelly was accused of sexually abusing a young altar boy in the early 1990s, at St. Andrew’s in Myrtle Beach. A second man filed a lawsuit in 1/2024, alleging abuse by Kelly as a St. Andrew’s altar boy. |
| Kennedy | Ernest Eugene | Diocese of Charleston SC | Settled | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Noted to be the subject of a settlement. Died 6/9/17. |
| Lee | Walter Pringle | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Left the priesthood after 10 years, married and raised a family. Died in 4/81. |
| McElroy | James | Diocese of Charleston SC | Settled | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Abuse allegedly occurred in the 1940s. Subject of a settlement. Died 7/5/71. |
| McLean | Frederick Austin | Diocese of Charleston SC | Sued | McLean was named publicly as credibly accused by the Charleston diocese on 3/29/19, and died 8/26/10. He was accused of sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl in 1962, and was thought to have left ministry in 1964. |
| Moynihan | George Frederick | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 8/30/04. |
| Murphy | Daniel Francis | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 7/21/80. |
| Murphy | Joseph J. | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 8/24/98. |
| Owens-Howard | James Robert | Diocese of Charleston SC | Convicted | Former Bishop England High School teacher, retired, convicted of fondling an 8-year-old boy in a pool, registered sex offender in SC, died 12/01/15. |
| Belfiore | Cesare Palatore | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Charleston diocese on its list 3/29/19. Visiting priest from the Diocese of San Jose in Costa Rica. Believed to have returned to Costa Rica. |
| Richardson | William | Diocese of Charleston SC | Settled | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Noted to have left the Catholic priesthood in 6/83. Subject of a settlement. |
| Plikunas | Anthony | Diocese of Charleston SC | Settled | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 11/28/73. Subject of a settlement. |
| Ryfinski | Gerald J. | Diocese of Charleston SC | Convicted | Arrested in 2001, pleaded guilty in 2002, and was laicized in 2007. He is on the SC Sex Offender Registry. |
| Sharples | James | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Priest of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Rock Hill, SC. Died 11/28/74. Named publicly as accused by the Charleston diocese on its list 3/29/19. |
| Seitz | Paul F. | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Seitz was removed from ministry in 1994 after allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor. He denied the allegations and resigned in 2002. |
| Sheedy | Charles L. | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 7/6/89. |
| Sheedy | Lawrence | Diocese of Charleston SC | Settled | A man filed a civil suit against Sheedy, the Mother Superior, and the church for loss of consortium. |
| Smith | Gabriel | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Accused of sexually abusing minors eight years prior to ordination, but was cleared by the Vatican. |
| Tawes | Creston J. | Diocese of Charleston SC | Settled | Named as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 8/4/80. Subject of a settlement. |
| Simonin | John | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 7/15/10. |
| Suggs | Frederick H. | Diocese of Charleston SC | Settled | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 8/26/98. Subject of a settlement. |
| Vaverek | Hayden | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | After allegations of sexual misconduct involving a minor, Vaverek was laicized and began working for Catholic Near East Welfare Association. He was included on the diocese’s 3/19 list of credibly accused. |
| Williamson | Louis | Diocese of Charleston SC | Accused | Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list updated 12/31/19. Died 6/20/62. |
| Washington | Freddy | Diocese of Charleston SC | Indicted | Washington was a pastor of two parishes in Chicago, and an associate professor of pastoral theology at Xavier University in New Orleans, when he was arrested for sexual abuse of two boys, ages 10 and 11-14, in 1982-1984. |
About Clergy Credibly Accused of Child Sexual Abuse
Clergy sexual abuse refers to inappropriate and illegal sexual actions involving child abuse by religious leaders, particularly within the Catholic Church. Sexual abuse victims often experience profound psychological, emotional, and physical impacts. Reporting these crimes and seeking legal action is crucial to stop the cycle of abuse and hold offenders accountable.
In South Carolina, the legal process for addressing clergy sexual misconduct typically involves reporting the abuse, conducting an investigation, and pursuing legal action against the credibly accused of sexual abuse.
Legal Support for Child Abuse Survivors in South Carolina
Injury Lawyer Team offers comprehensive legal support for survivors of clergy sexual abuse in South Carolina. With extensive experience in the Charleston Diocese, we handle child sex abuse cases involving credibly accused priests.
Our expertise covers sexual abuse cases involving both resident and visiting priests, as well as incidents of sexual misconduct within the Catholic Church. We manage pending civil lawsuits and support survivors, including children, through ongoing investigations to bring justice and healing to those grievously harmed.
What Laws Govern Priest Abuse Lawsuits in South Carolina
South Carolina has specific legal provisions and requirements addressing clergy sexual abuse cases. The statute of limitations addresses how long you have to file civil lawsuits or criminal charges against church members or priests credibly accused of sexual abuse involving minors. Mandated reporting laws help protect children who may be being abused.
Statutes of Limitations for Credible Allegations
In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for civil cases involving child molestation or sexual abuse is generally six years from the date of the victim’s 21st birthday. So, they have until they are 27. For criminal cases involving child sexual abuse, there is no statute of limitations, allowing prosecution at any time.
Mandatory Reporting Laws for Abuse of Minors
South Carolina also has mandatory reporting laws that require individuals, including church leadership, to report any credible allegations of child abuse or child pornography to authorities immediately. This includes any type of abuse, including sexual abuse, child sexual misconduct, or credibly accused priests or other members of the church leadership. Failure to report can result in legal consequences, including fines, criminal charges, and imprisonment.
However, religious members do have privileged communication, which is subject to different provisions. Members are not required to report abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse, if the information is obtained during privileged communication, such as confession, or if someone goes to the church leadership for counseling services.
For example, if priests credibly accused of sexual abuse admit to the crime during confession, the person hearing the confession is not required to report the sexual abuse. In fact, reporting the sexual abuse violates sacred trust.
The Diocese of Charleston List
There is no law requiring churches, including the Catholic church, to maintain a list of priests credibly accused of crimes like sexual misconduct. However, the Charleston Diocese has made a commitment to be more transparent regarding cases of abuse involving church members, including priests credibly accused of abuse. This list is updated occasionally to ensure transparency.
Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against Accused Priests in South Carolina
Filing a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit in South Carolina involves several crucial steps.
- Confidential Consultation: Contact Injury Lawyer Team for a confidential consultation to discuss your case. We will gather details about the abuse and any incidents involving the credibly accused priest. We’ll also discuss what filing a lawsuit against priests credibly accused of child abuse looks like.
- Collecting Evidence: We work with you to gather evidence, including medical records and witness statements, to support your claims. This may include records from a therapist to prove you were grievously harmed or statements from other clergy members regarding the child abuse.
- Filling a Complaint: Next, we will file a complaint with the court, outlining the allegations of sexual misconduct within the Catholic Church or religious order.
- Handling Communication: We handle communications required in the criminal investigation with the Charleston Diocese and other relevant entities throughout the process. Instead of handling phone calls, you can focus on taking steps to heal from child abuse.
- Pre-Trial Motions and Hearings: The court may hold hearings on various pre-trial motions, such as motions to dismiss or motions for summary judgment.
- Negotiation: Alternatively, we may negotiate a settlement to ensure you receive appropriate compensation while healing.
- Trial: If a settlement isn’t reached, the case goes to trial. Both sides present their evidence and arguments, and a judge or jury makes a decision.
Taking action against those who wronged you requires effort. With our lawyers, you’ll have the support and resources to heal. You are not alone. Contact us today for the justice you deserve.
Support Resources for Survivors in South Carolina
Survivors of sexual abuse in South Carolina have access to numerous support resources.
- South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA): Offers counseling, advocacy, and support groups for survivors. For more information, visit their websites.
- Counseling services provide essential emotional support, helping survivors process trauma and rebuild their lives. The South Carolina Department of Mental Health offers mental health services, including trauma counseling.
- Support groups, often facilitated by organizations specializing in child sexual misconduct and child sexual abuse, offer a safe space to share experiences and gain strength from others who understand.
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: Available 24/7 for immediate assistance, connecting survivors with trained professionals who can offer guidance and confidential support. Call 1-800-656-4673 or visit the RAINN website.
- Local Support Groups: Many local organizations and churches offer support groups for survivors.
Notable Cases and Outcomes Against Those Credibly Accused of Sexual Abuse in South Carolina
South Carolina has seen several notable clergy sexual abuse cases, including new credible allegations that have set significant legal precedents.
In 2004, South Carolina diocese officials reported 45 credible abuse allegations between 1950 and 2002. These allegations involved 21 priests, one deacon, and one deacon candidate. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston announced a settlement of up to $12 million to address the child sex abuse claims.
Another significant case involved a visiting priest accused of child sexual abuse. The Charleston Diocese learned of the allegations and cooperated with law enforcement, resulting in the priest’s conviction and a substantial prison sentence. These cases underscore the impact of legal action in achieving justice and promoting institutional change.
Our attorneys have reviewed public and private settlement data related to clergy abuse settlements where priests were accused of sexual abuse. 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.
Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team
Choosing our law firm for your clergy sexual abuse case in South Carolina ensures you receive experienced, compassionate representation from our dedicated members.
- Our team has a proven track record of successfully handling cases involving clergy sex abuse.
- We understand the complexities of such cases, including those involving a religious order, and are committed to seeking justice for survivors.
- Our compassionate approach prioritizes your well-being, providing support and guidance throughout the legal process.
- We relentlessly pursue justice, leveraging our extensive experience to navigate the legal system and achieve favorable outcomes.
If you are a survivor of clergy sexual abuse in South Carolina, we encourage you to reach out for a confidential consultation. Our team is here to provide the legal support you need, helping survivors navigate the complexities of their case and seek the justice they deserve. Don’t hesitate to get in touch; confidential support is just a call or click away.
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.