List Of Accused Priests In Virginia
Clergy sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in Virginia has garnered significant attention as more than 50 priests have been accused of abuse thus far. While clergies are regarded as noble figures, cases with offensive sexual assaults exploit their reputation and raise questions about the institutional responsibility of the Richmond Diocese. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are deeply committed to supporting survivors of clerical sexual misconduct by holding perpetrators accountable through legal representation.
| Last Name | First Name | Diocese | Status | Accusations (Summary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asalone | Scott A. | Diocese of Arlington VA | Convicted | Named publicly as accused by the Arlington diocese in 2/2019, dismissed from his order in 2007 and sentenced to eight years in prison for sexual abuse of a minor between 13 and 15 years old. |
| Baird | Richard P. | Diocese of Arlington VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Arlington diocese on its list in 2/19. Died 1996. Accused after his death of sexual abuse of a minor. Found credible by his Order. |
| Brooks | Robert C. | Diocese of Arlington VA | Sentenced | Brooks was ordained for the Diocese of Richmond, incardinated into the Diocese of Arlington in 1974, and removed from public ministry in 2004. He was sentenced to three years in jail, suspended in favor of two years probation. |
| Buchmeier | Robert P. | Diocese of Arlington VA | Accused | Buchmeier was placed on leave by the Archbishop of Washington D.C. in 9/22 due to allegations of sexually abusing minors. |
| Buckner | Christopher | Diocese of Arlington VA | Accused | Buckner was placed on leave after allegations of inappropriate conduct with a minor. He denied the allegations, but waived his right to further canonical recourse due to poor health. |
| Clark | Curtis L. | Diocese of Arlington VA | Accused | Named publicly by the diocese on its list in 2/19. Removed from public ministry in 2003. Laicized 2004. |
| Cain | Gervase | Diocese of Arlington VA | Charged | Taught in PA schools, pastored in PA and WV, retired to Franciscan retirement facility in Frederick County VA, arrested for taking indecent liberties with a child. |
| Duesterhaus | Michael R. | Diocese of Arlington VA | Reinstated | Duesterhaus was placed on leave 3/18 due to an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor. The diocese was informed 1/17/19 that criminal charges would not be pursued and the review board determined that “a credible allegation…had not been made”. |
| Erbacher | William J. | Diocese of Arlington VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list in 2/19. Removed from public ministry in 2001. Given “life of prayer and penance” by the Vatican in 2010. |
| Escalante | Ronald S. | Diocese of Arlington VA | Accused | Pastor of St. Francis de Sales in Purcellville was placed on leave during investigation of possible boundary violations with a minor and adults. He denied allegations, but admitted to “unbecoming” behavior with the adults. |
| Kuhn | Michael | Diocese of Arlington VA | Accused | Kuhn was ordained for the Diocese of Fall River MA, left Fall River in 2004, and was suspended pending investigation of an allegation that he had engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor in about 1975. He denied the allegation. |
| Mould | Christopher J. | Diocese of Arlington VA | Accused | Admitted to sexual contact with a minor, resigned from ministry, added to diocese’s list of credibly accused. |
| Nhi | Tran Dinh | Diocese of Arlington VA | Accused | Nhi was placed on leave in 2006 after allegations he abused two girls. Final determination of his canonical status pending. |
| Reinecke | William Thomas | Diocese of Arlington VA | Accused | Monsignor Reinecke was accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old altar boy, apologized, and died by suicide in 1992. A woman’s 2006 allegation of abuse was deemed credible in 2007. |
| Roszel | Stephen A. | Diocese of Arlington VA | Settled | Accused of sexually abusing a girl 1977-1992, placed on leave by diocese in 1994, settled suit under undisclosed terms, returned to ministry in 1997, and removed from active ministry in 2003. |
| Rutledge | Robert M. | Diocese of Arlington VA | Settled | Rutledge was accused of assaulting and emotionally battering a male student at a Catholic high school. He left the school in 1996 and began teaching at a College in PA. |
| Specht | Terry W. | Diocese of Arlington VA | Acquitted | Specht spent 20 years in the Navy prior to priesthood, was accused of sexual misconduct with a teenage boy in the late 1990s, and was found not guilty at trial. He would not be returned to ministry. |
| Watkins | Clarence N. | Diocese of Arlington VA | Accused | Ordained for the Diocese of Richmond. Incardinated into the Arlington diocese when it was formed in 1974. Named publicly by the Diocese of Arlington on its list in 2020. No details provided. Died in 2012. |
| Beardsley | Frederick James | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/19. Suspended. Died in 2006. |
| Ahern | Richard J. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Settled | Parish priest who worked in several dioceses, including Boston and NYC, and Richmond VA and Springfield MA, and was accused of abusing children. His ministry was restricted by 1988. |
| Barton | Raymond | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Monsignor Barton was suspended from active ministry pending investigation of an allegation of sexual abuse in the early-1970s. The accuser was deceased and Barton could not be interviewed due to health conditions. |
| Browne | Edward P. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Monsignor Browne was accused of sexually abusing a minor before he was incardinated into the Diocese of Arlington. |
| Beattie | R. Dixon | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Beattie was accused of sexually abusing a girl, including rape, beginning when she was age 9, during 1958-60. His name was added to the diocese’s list of those with a credible and substantiated claim. |
| Blankenship | John Paul | Diocese of Richmond VA | Convicted | A Catholic chaplain sexually abused a 14-year-old boy in 1982. He apologized to the victim and paid for his college education and counseling. |
| Bourbon | Francis C. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Frank Bourbon was named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Maryland Province on its list in 12/2018. He died in 2007 and was mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General’s Report. |
| Creamer | Leo | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese of Richmond in July 2021. Creamer was incardinated into the Diocese of Arlington when it was formed in 1974. The abuse occurred prior to 1974. Died November 16, 1991. |
| Doyle | Terrence | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Richmond diocese on its list updated 10/4/19. Died in 1994. |
| Daigle | Eugene | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Richmond in 6/20, and no longer in active ministry. |
| Burkardt | Gordian D. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Burkhardt was named publicly as accused by the Saint Vincent Archabbey Benedictines in Latrobe PA in 8/18. He died in 1985. |
| Cassidy | Patrick J. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | From Ireland. Arrived in the Diocese of Richmond VA in 1957 from the Diocese of Clifton, England. Retired in 1981, per his obituary. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list updated 6/27/19. Died in 2003. |
| Earley | Richard R. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Richmond diocese on its list 2/13/19. Noted to have been removed in 1988. Worked in a number of dioceses including Boston MA, New Orleans LA, Birmingham AL, and Natchez-Jackson MS. Died in 1988. |
| Dozier | Carroll Thomas | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Accused of sexual misconduct by the Richmond diocese and the Memphis diocese. |
| Findlay | Harris Markham | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Richmond and Arlington dioceses on their lists in 2/19. Laicized. Died in 1980. Allegation made after Findlay’s death. |
| George | George P. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Convicted | Priest of the Maronite diocese of Brooklyn, convicted of molesting a youth, was ordered to never be around children and to therapy. |
| Goff | Richard Bernard | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/19. Removed 1991. Laicized. |
| George | Frederick | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | George was named publicly as accused by the Richmond diocese on its list 2/13/2019. He was briefly reassigned by the bishop, left ministry for a few years in 1988, and was eventually permanently dismissed from ministry in 2004. |
| Kamerdze | Paul Jude | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Richmond and Arlington dioceses on their lists in 2/19. Died in 1984. Allegation received after Kamerdze’s death. |
| Jr. | Julian B. Goodman, | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Goodman admitted to sexually abusing a teenage boy at St. John Vianney Prep Seminary and at a parish in 1976-79, and was sent to St. John Vianney Hospital in PA for treatment. He was forced to retire without privileges in 2002. |
| Hesch | John Beaman | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Hesch was accused of abusing several youths in his role as a sex education teacher, but the church did not send him to counseling. Hesch killed himself after confronting church officials about abuse. |
| Jr. | Eugene Walter Kelly, | Diocese of Richmond VA | Convicted | Priest accused of abusing his stepchildren, received 3-year probated sentence, and registered as a sex offender. |
| Leonard | John E. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Sued | Allegations of abuse in 1996 resulted in evaluation, removal in 2002, reinstatement in 2006, civil suit dismissed in 2003, criminal charges in 2004; resigned from priesthood in 2015. |
| Krafcik | Andrew Willam Paul | Diocese of Richmond VA | Convicted | Ordained for the Richmond diocese, requested transfer to the Arlington diocese in 1984, was sentenced to counseling, and retired in 1996. Laicized in 2002. |
| Leveille | Roland Edmund | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Leveille was named publicly as accused by the Richmond diocese on its list 2/13/2019. He was removed from ministry in 1973 and died in 1994. |
| Long | Thomas Lawrence | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | The diocese named publicly as accused an English professor in 1986 of child sexual abuse. The faculty were suspended at some point prior to the allegations. |
| Majewski | Joseph B. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/19. Removed in 2014. |
| Lewis | Walter | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Lewis was retired in 5/2023 and suspended from public ministry pending investigation. He denied the allegation. |
| McConnell | James Henry | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/19. Died in 1969. Allegation received after McConnell’s death. |
| Nudd | Robert Eugene | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Richmond and Arlington dioceses on their lists in 2/19. Died in 1978. Allegation reported after Nudd’s death. |
| Philben | Francis M. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Richmond diocese on its list 2/13/19. Born 7/17/1918. Died 1/20/1994. |
| Quinn | Patrick Francis | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | From Ireland, was assigned to parishes in Norfolk, Petersburg and Cape Charles. Died in 1995. |
| Munley | John Joseph | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Munley was accused of sexual abuse by the Diocese of Richmond and Arlington. |
| Murphy | Dennis Paul | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Murphy was placed on leave in 4/04 due to complaints about his interaction with teenage youths. He was later shown as being affiliated with the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. |
| Pham | Joseph Thang Xuan | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Pham was removed from active ministry at St. John’s, Dinwiddie, in 7/11 after a recent complaint of sexual abuse of a minor more than 30 years prior. |
| Rizer | James Lee | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/19. Died in 1989. Allegation received after Rizer’s death. |
| Rea | John W. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Richmond and Arlington dioceses on their lists in 2/19. Died in 2002. Allegation reported after Rea’s death. |
| Rhoads | Eileen M. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Convicted | Frances Therese was dismissed from her vows in 1974 for “familiarity”, yet allowed to teach in Catholic schools for 21 years. She abused boys and at least one girl, starting at age 12. |
| Rodriguez | Oscar A. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Convicted | Oscar Alexander “Paul” Rodriguez abused an altar boy, age 11 or 12, 1966-67. He was removed and sent for treatment, then pled guilty to fondling and was sentenced to 4 months in jail and 10 years probation. |
| Rodriguez | Paul | Diocese of Richmond VA | Charged | Rodriguez, a priest of the Diocese of Richmond, was accused of fondling an 11- or 12-year-altar boy in 1966 while assigned to Holy Comforter Church in Charlottesville VA. |
| Ryder | Austin Lewis | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Richmond and Arlington dioceses on their lists in 2/19. Died in 1981. Allegation reported after his death. |
| Roy | Andrew | Diocese of Richmond VA | Sued | Andres Rodriguez was a priest who was sued for abuse and died in 2004 at age 92. |
| Rule | Steven R. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Accused of abuse in 1976 at St. John Vianney Seminary, removed, reinstated, removed again, status listed as “suspended”. |
| Ryan | Paul David | Diocese of Richmond VA | Convicted | Australian priest, sent to the U.S. for treatment twice, returned to ministry each time, abused at least two boys in Virginia Beach 1978-79, and at least three youths in Australia 1989-90, one known to have died by suicide. |
| Slowik | Joseph S. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Ordained for the Diocese of Lafayette, IN, incardinated into the Diocese of Richmond in 1979, named publicly as accused in 2006, and removed from public ministry in 2006. |
| Smalls | Oliver Joseph | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Smalls was publicly accused of abuse in 1970 and was removed from public ministry in Belize City-Belmopan. He filed a defamation suit against the Richmond diocese. |
| Summers | Thomas M. | Diocese of Richmond VA | Sued | A man filed a suit alleging that Summers raped and battered him, and that another priest molested him at separate times at St. James Catholic School. Summers died in 1992. |
| Shrader | Dwight Edward | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Shrader was placed on leave in 2003 after a person came forward to allege abuse as a teenager. Four men and one woman had come forward with allegations of abuse by Shrader. |
| Teslovic | Eugene John | Diocese of Richmond VA | Accused | Forced to retire after allegations of past sexual abuse of minors, and died in 10/20. There may have been complaints in the 1970s and 1980s that were overlooked during the review of priest files in mid-2002. |
About Clergy Sexual Abuse
Clergy sex abuse is defined as the molestation, harassment, exploitation, or violence of congregants by clerical members like pastors, priests, or church personnel. Owing to the staggering numbers of cases, Richmond and Arlington Dioceses released a list of church officials with allegations of sexual offenses. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers encourages survivors to take legal action against the accused on Richmond Diocese’s list. All you have to do is consult our attorneys in Richmond and Arlington, VA. They will file a complaint and take care of the legal proceedings in court.
Legal Support for Survivors in Virginia
Filing a lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Richmond requires solid legal representation from the survivor. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to offering:
Table of Contents
24-Hour Availability
Our team is available around the clock for consultations or case discussions about a credible and substantiated claim.
Representation in Court
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers takes care of all the legal proceedings, from tracking relevant records to building a sexual assault case that secures compensation in the courts of Virginia.
Counselling Resources
Keeping in mind the psychological toll of abuse, our network helps you connect with trauma therapists and support groups in the community to help you grow and heal.
Laws and Regulations in Virginia
The Diocese of Virginia has met several allegations with hefty settlements. The laws and regulations that dictate serious charges against clergy sexual assault are as follows:
Statutes of Limitations
In Virginia, survivors of childhood sexual abuse have until age 38 to file a civil claim and until age 20 to sue responsible institutions. Child abuse survivors have 20 years to file a claim after the abuse occurred; however, there is no statute of limitations for criminal charges related to felony sexual abuse.
Mandatory Reporting Laws
All employees of higher education institutions, certified emergency medical workers, and professional healthcare staff are mandated reporters by law. A new bill passed in Virginia now recognizes clergy members as mandatory reporters.
Recent Legislative Changes for Child Sexual Abuse
With the rise in sex scandals, the clergy or practitioners of any religious organization are now lawfully required to report any form of abuse in Virginia. From February to October 2020, the Diocese of Richmond established the Independent Reconciliation Program to compensate survivors of clergy sex abuse.
Filing a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against the Catholic Church
Clergy sex abuse is a sensitive issue; therefore, you need a team that can approach the matter with professionalism. Here’s how Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers help survivors navigate through the complex legal system:
Confidential Consultations: We offer free consultations to discuss and explore your legal options against the credibly accused.
Case Evaluation: Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers collaborate with experts to investigate the case, studying subtle societal cues and related documentation.
Filing A Complaint: Our lawyers submit a formal complaint to the court that underscores the severity of the alleged sexual misconduct.
Pre-Trials: During pre-trial proceedings, both parties exchange information and evidence through depositions, interrogatories, and document requests
Settlements: Our attorneys advocate for compensations for medical expenses, emotional distress, and punitive damages.
Trials: If the settlements fail, the case proceeds to a trial in front of the jury of Virginia, where Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers present the case with concrete debates and evidence.
Verdict: By the end of the trial, the jury delivers a verdict for both parties with compensation based on the credible and substantiated allegation.
Support Resources for Survivors in Virginia
Taking legal action against clergy sexual abuse is an emotionally draining decision. Some organizations in Virginia that provide resources for healing are as follows:
Counselling & Support Groups
The Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance and Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) specialize in individual and group therapy. The Arlington Diocese shared a counseling organization, ‘The Office of Child Protection and Victim Assistance,’ that works for victims of abuse. A virtual support group organized by Richmond Diocese also offers a healing space for the survivors.
Crisis Hotlines
You can reach out 24/7 at the local Virginia Family Violence & Sexual Assault hotline available at 1-800-838-8238. RAINN is another national hotline at 1-800-656-4673 that offers trained advocates for emotional support and connecting to local resources.
Sexual Offense Cases and Outcomes Against the Roman Catholic Diocese
As a result of the Independent Reconciliation Program (IRP), the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, VA, agreed to pay 6.3 million dollars to the survivors and remove all priests on the list from serving in public offices. The Richmond VA diocese’s list names 42 priests with credible and substantiated allegations, whereas the Arlington Diocese’s list mentioned 16 such clergy officials involved in sexually abusing minors. Thus, the diocese deemed allegations credible in 58 cases of clergy sexual offense:
- One such case involved a Richmond, VA, altar boy sexually abused by a Parish priest, Ahern.
- Another priest at the Richmond VA Diocese, John Paul, was convicted of abusing a young boy. When he worked at the Petersburg Federal Correctional Center, the catholic chaplain regional superintendent knew of his past sexual abuse, and consequently, Paul was criminally indicted.
- Rutledge, a teacher at a Catholic school and pastor in the Raleigh NC diocese was charged with assault towards a schoolboy.
- Retired to Frederick County, VA, Cain Gervase was arrested for offensive exploitation and liberties with a child.
- The diocesan review board also lists Thomas M. Summers, alleged of raping and battering a man at the James Catholic School.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers?
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are experts in transforming your pain into power. Clergy sexual abuse is a serious offense, and with our 25 years of experience, you are assured to be in safe hands. Our attorneys handle all legal paperwork and court filings and ensure compliance with Virginia’s statutes of limitations.
| $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 are exclusively dedicated to studying your case while keeping ill legal intricacies in mind. Moreover, our 5000+ satisfied clients speak for our proven track record. And the best part? We don’t charge you anything until we secure a settlement for your case. Learn how to contact us below!
Contact Us
If you are a survivor of clergy sexual abuse in Virginia, we encourage you to reach out for a confidential consultation. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have an experienced legal team to help you seek justice. Contact us at (847) 835-8895 to discuss your case.
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.
