Utah Catholic Diocese Priest Sex Abuse List | Injury Lawyer Team

List Of Accused Priests In Utah

Salt Lake City is no safer than any other state when it comes to clergy sexual misconduct. This susceptible issue not only comes with a societal burden but also imparts psychological and emotional scars on countless individuals. The Utah Catholic Diocese has been heavily infiltrated with cases of sexual abuse, including those involving minors. We at Injury Lawyer Team understand the gravity of such cases and work with a firm resolve to seek justice by representing the victims.

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Last Name	First Name	Diocese	Status	Accusations (Summary)
Baraniewicz	Joseph M.	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Accused	Worked in the Salt Lake diocese 1974-90. Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/4/18. Incident(s) of “holding children on lap, kissing, hugging children 10/25/90 reported to diocese 10/26/90. Sent for alcohol treatment, returned to Order. Died 2/24/12.
Ariza	Leonardo E.	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Accused	Seminarian. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 12/4/18. Diocese noted to have received an allegation 8/27/02 of sexual abuse of a minor 8/15/02. Terminated from seminary 9/4/02. Reported to DCFS/Law Enforcement 9/5/02.
Davich	George F.	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Accused	Monsignor Davich was accused of sleeping with a minor, and was ordered by the Vatican to a life of prayer and penance.
Olarte	Mario Arbelaez	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Convicted	Arrested 5/03, charged with enticing a minor over the internet, pleaded no contest in 9/03, but did not show up for sentencing in 11/03. On sex offender registry, laicized 3/31/06.
Bressler	William Cody	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Settled	Bressler was named publicly as accused by the Salt Lake City diocese on 12/4/2018. He was removed from faculty in the Diocese of Arlington VA and the Diocese of Alexandria LA in 2019 and 2021.
Devlin	Raymond A.	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Accused	In 1/1990, a family reported Devlin molested their son in CA. Devlin was sent to counseling and removed from contact with children, but the family went to the press in 8/1993 after learning that Devlin was in active ministry at a parish in Virginia City, NV.
Franco	Paul	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Accused	Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/4/18. Report to diocese 6/17/02 that Franco sexually abused a minor 1976-79. It notes that Franco left ministry in 5/86 and was suspended in 10/86.
Gomez	Francisco	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Accused	Named publicly as accused on the Salt Lake diocese’s list 12/4/18, he was retired in 5/02.
Greenwell	James M.	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Accused	Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/4/18. Allegation to diocese 9/12/02 that Greenwell molested and took nude photos of a minor in 1980. Greenwell’s first assignment in the diocese was 1975. He left the priesthood 8/86.
Gaeta	David R.	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Accused	Gaeta was placed on leave after allegations of abuse at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Ogden, Utah.
LaPenta	Charles	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Accused	LaPenta was named publicly as accused on the Salt Lake City diocese’s list 12/4/18. He was diagnosed with dementia in 2006 and died in OH 8/1/09, after working as a high school teacher, guidance counselor and administrator.
Lopez	Leonidas	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Accused	Lopez was named publicly as accused of the sex abuse of three minors, and was laicized in 2014.
McMenamin	Neil	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Accused	McMenamin was named publicly as accused on the Salt Lake City diocese’s list 12/4/18, and reported to the Order 3/13/07. He died 4/7/15.
O’Neill	Thomas P.	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Accused	O’Neill was accused of sexually abusing a boy in the early 1960s while assigned to Judge Memorial School in Salt Lake City. He was removed from St. Francis de Sales HS in Toledo OH in 2002 and died in 2015.
Rapp	James F.	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Convicted	Rapp worked in PA, UT, NY, IL, MI and OK. He was accused of abuse of at least two MI boys in 1987, accepted into the Joliet diocese by Bishop Imesch, who knew of Rapp’s sexual abuse of boys, and was convicted in 1999 in OK; 40-year sentence.
Rodriguez	Reyes G.	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Accused	Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/4/18. It notes three cases of abuse, reported in 1987, 2004 and 2007. Faculties removed in 2002, retired 8/02. Ordered by the Vatican to a life of prayer and penance.
Shrope	Glen M.	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Accused	Shrope was publicly named as accused of sexually abusing a minor in 1976. He was deceased.
Spellen	Lawrence M.	Diocese of Salt Lake City UT	Sued	Bud Spellen told Bishop Weigand in 1993 that he was being accused of sexual misconduct during the mid-1980s. The diocese investigated and found some merit in accusations, and Spellen was placed on leave.

About Clergy Sexual Abuse

Clergy sexual abuse is the harassment or abuse inflicted by lay church personnel or members of a faith community. Several credible allegations against the Salt Lake City Diocese have surfaced. The legal process in Utah involves filing a complaint, leading to a trial where our lawyers will fight to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Legal Support for Survivors in Utah

With the most competent lawyers in Salt Lake City, Injury Lawyer Team are qualified to provide legal support in cases of clergy sexual assault. With 25 years of experience, we have a deep understanding of the legal intricacies; thus, we provide:

24/7 Availability

Whether you’d like to have a free conversation, maintain complete privacy, or simply discuss your case, Injury Lawyer Team is exclusively available.

Legal Representation

Injury Lawyer Team are committed to providing legal support from start to finish. Once the case reaches the court, we advocate for survivors till justice is served.

Nationwide Recognition

Over 25 years of working in the legal community, our lawyers have fostered trustworthy relationships and recognition from judges and peers.

Counselling Support

We provide emotional support to address such sensitive topics with empathy while connecting you with support groups in the community.

Laws and Regulations in Utah

With the escalation in the number of credible allegations against the Catholic church, recent legislative changes have incentivized the reporting of abuse by church personnel. The major laws in Salt Lake City against clergy abuse allegations are addressed below:

Statutes of Limitations for Sexual Abuse Involving Minors

Unlike many other states in the US, Utah proposes no statute of limitation for most sexual crimes, including child abuse.

Mandatory Reporting Laws

In particular, adults and clergy members who learn about sex abuse allegations from any external source, except a private confession, are mandated to report it.

Recent Legislative Changes in Utah

Recent amendments, such as HB432, provide legal protections to clergy who report abuse, shielding them from civil or criminal liability. This encourages clergy members to come forward without fear of legal repercussions against the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Utah

Injury Lawyer Team stands by the client from the first consultation until the case is resolved. The case starts with a free consultation and a thorough inquiry about the perpetrator, the nature of the alleged abuse, the sequence of events, and any evidence in the same area. Here is a detailed walkthrough of the entire process per Utah’s legislation.

• Case Study: Our experienced lawyers study the case in detail, discussing the legal strategies and the likelihood of success.
• Investigations: Rosenfeld Injury attorney will conduct an exhaustive investigation, gathering potential evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and any documentation related to the abuse.
• Filing the Complaint: Once sufficient evidence is gathered, our lawyers will draft and file a formal complaint to the appropriate Utah court.
• Pre-Trials: The clergy member or the institution is formally served with the complaint and has a specified period to respond by exchanging evidence and information.
• Negotiations: If the client allows, our lawyers will settle for negotiations with the opposing party to try to resolve the case without a trial.
• Trials: The case proceeds to trial if a settlement is not reached. Both sides prepare their arguments, evidence, and witness lists for the jury in Utah’s courts.
• Verdict: The jury deliberates and delivers a verdict. Rosenfeld Injury’s attorney assists in enforcing the judgment and ensuring that the compensation is collected.

Support Resources for Survivors in Utah

While legal support ensures that the perpetrators are held accountable, emotional counseling is equally important for healing. A few support resources in Salt Lake City are as follows.

Counselling Services

The Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA) and the Rape Recovery Center connect you with individual and group therapy by specialized professionals. SNAP, The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, and the Catholic Whistleblowers also advocate against clerical offenses.

Support Groups

Saprea, based in Utah, provides online resources and support groups to heal those traumatized. Other notable organizations working for this cause include the Faith Trust Institute, Finally Speak Out Now, and The Healing Group.

Crisis Hotlines

Salt Lake City’s sexual abuse hotline is 1-888-421-1100, which provides 24/7 assistance, emotional support, and referrals to local services. For immediate support, you can contact RAINN’s hotline, 1-800-656-4673, at the national level.

Notable Cases and Outcomes of Priests Accused of Abuse in Utah

The Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City has released the names of 19 priests credibly accused of sexually abusing minors since 1950. Unlike other dioceses compelled by court orders to release their lists, the diocese of Salt Lake City chose to publish it voluntarily—Salt Lake City’s list of highly credible allegations against priests who breached their sacred trust. One of the most recent sex abuse allegations is against a Catholic church pastor, Gaeta, who has been accused of sexually abusing children and young people. The outcome is that the Catholic diocese retired him without receiving any faculties, and he had a tarnished reputation for life since no criminal charges were filed.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team in the Salt Lake City?

By choosing Injury Lawyer Team, you are placing your trust in a firm built upon the foundation of justice, dedication, and professionalism. Filing a complaint against church personnel accused of abuse is a courageous step, and we are dedicated to ensuring that our clients are supported and their bravery is acknowledged.

$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 firm is highly regarded within the legal community, earning recognition from judges and peers for our tenacity and ethical approach to trial law. By choosing us, clients can place their trust in our proven track record and the respect we command within the legal system.

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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.