Young Adults and Adolescents

At Risk of Sexual Abuse by Clergy

Philip Jenkins is Distinguished Professor of History and Religious Studies at Penn State and author of Pedophiles and Priests: Anatomy of a Contemporary Crisis (1996).

Jenkins states in his essay, "The myth of the ‘pedophile priest,’" published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (March 3, 2002):

The vast majority of clergy misconduct cases … involve priests who have been sexually active with a person … 16 or 17 years old, or even older.

A Vatican spokesman recently reiterated this point, clarifying the view from the top: it's the teens who comprise the majority of those victimized when they are minors. In an article by Hilary Whiteman, "Gay outrage over cardinal's child abuse comment," CNN (April 14 2010), Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi stated:

… just 10 percent of the abuse cases against priests that were reviewed by the Vatican constituted ‘pedophilia in the strict sense.’ The rest were cases of abuse against teenagers …

Link to alphabetical list of news stories of alleged abuse

Link to news about the clergy sexual abuse crisis in Europe and around the world

Link to news articles on statutes of limitations

Young Women and Girls At Risk

Mary Ormsby. "Church scandal's next wave: Abused girls." The Star Canada (April 25, 2010).

"That is so prevalent, it happens all the time," [Patrick Wall, California-based expert on Catholic clergy abuse] said of the abortion runs, which in part accounts for his belief that teenaged girls are the silent majority of priest-related sexual abuse.

The former priest [Patrick Wall] said the church is particularly vicious with women, deploying its ‘whore defence’ to paint schoolgirls as harlots and intimidate them from pursuing criminal and civil complaints.

Pat Wingert and Barbara Kantrowitz in a recent article ask: "What about the girls? Boys aren't the only victims of the Catholic Church's sex-abuse scandal." Newsweek (April 15, 2010).

[As explained by] Barbara Dorris, a victim of priest abuse as well as the national outreach director for SNAP: "In part because of sexism and homophobia, journalists, police, prosecutors, attorneys, and sometimes even parents feel even more outraged when a boy is sexually abused by a powerful man than when a girl is assaulted, and are thus more apt to take action, pursue charges, file lawsuits, and talk publicly."

Jane Lampman identified the widespread abuse of girls and women at the time of the US clergy abuse crisis in 2002: "A wider circle of clergy abuse: As US bishops meet, attention is drawn to female victims of priests." Christian Science Monitor (June 14, 2002).

For girls and women, the challenge of coming forward is heightened by the inclination of the church and society to blame females for abuse. "Church officials historically have been much quicker to blame girls than boys. When women come forward the response has been, ‘Well, what did you do to seduce them?’" says Jeff Anderson, a Minnesota attorney specializing in clergy abuse cases who in just the past two months of scandal revelations has been contacted by 50 females alleging abuse by priests.

Seminarians At Risk

Some young adult victims were in the midst of seminary training to become ministers themselves when the alleged abuse occurred.

At Risk in Many Denominations

Teens and young adults of either gender can be sexually violated by clergy. As news reports of alleged abuse illustrate, this problem occurs across denominations.

Articles on insurance companies that provide liability coverage for churches shed further light on the prevalence of sexual abuse across denominations, as well as the difficulty of compiling data on the actual number of cases.

Pat Wingert. "Mean Men. The priesthood is being cast as the refuge of pederasts. In fact, priests seem to abuse children at the same rate as everyone else." Newsweek (April 8, 2010).
… "I can tell you without hesitation that we have seen cases in many religious settings, from traveling evangelists to mainstream ministers to rabbis and others," [said] Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Since the mid-1980s, insurance companies have offered sexual misconduct coverage as a rider on liability insurance, and their own studies indicate that Catholic churches are not higher risk than other congregations. "We don't see vast difference in the incidence rate between one denomination and another," says Sarah Buckley, assistant vice president of corporate communications [at Guide One Center for Risk Management] …

Rose French. "Three insurers shed light on Protestant church sex abuse." Houston Chronicle (June 14, 2007).
Joe Trull, editor of Christian Ethics Today and retired ethics professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary … believes [the cases cited in the 2007 Houston Chronicle article] are just the "tip of the iceberg" because churches don't have to report abuse cases to the registry and aren't likely to.

Michael Paulson of the Boston Globe reported in a 2002 article that sexual abuse of children and teens occurs across numerous denominations. "All faiths question handling of abuse: Debate over celibacy as factor is rancorous." Boston Globe (March 13, 2002).

The scourge of clergy sexual abuse has afflicted virtually every religious denomination: In recent years rabbis, ministers, and gurus have all been charged with molesting children. Hare Krishna temples are filing for bankruptcy because of the anticipated cost of settling abuse litigation, and the Jehovah's Witnesses are facing a first round of lawsuits.

Philip Jenkins, Distinguished Professor of History and Religious Studies at Penn State, wrote Pedophiles and Priests: Anatomy of a Contemporary Crisis (1996). In his essay, "The myth of the ‘pedophile priest’", published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (March 3, 2002), Jenkins states:

Literally every denomination and faith tradition has its share of abuse cases, and some of the worst involve non-Catholics. Every mainline Protestant denomination has had scandals aplenty, as have Pentecostals, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, Buddhists, Hare Krishnas, and the list goes on.

At Risk Around the World

Countries across Europe from Austria, Germany and Ireland to Denmark, Italy, Norway and the Netherlands are currently experiencing a "clergy sexual abuse crisis" similar to that instigated by reports that appeared in the Boston Globe in 2002. In the years following the Globe's expose of clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic church, cases of abuse have been reported across a spectrum of denominations around the country and around the world. Allegations of abuse have also been reported from Canada and Latin America. Many of the international cases being reported in early 2010 involve young children as well as adolescents, seminarians and young adults.

Professor Marci Hamilton, Paul R. Verkuil Chair in Public Law at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law of Yeshiva University, argues in a recent essay that the United States and the United Nations should act more forcefully in response to the allegations of child sex abuse being reported around the world.

Marci Hamilton. "Learning from the Vatican's problems: What the U.S. must do to protect children now." The Huffington Post (March 31, 2010).
… the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child must address the worldwide human rights abuses by and within the Roman Catholic organization being documented on a daily basis …

Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Children and Teens Around the World

For background information and news articles from around the world regarding clergy sexual exploitation of adults, see Boundary Violations Without Borders.

Joerg Schindler. "Ex-Leiter der Odenwaldschule: Der Mann mit den zwei Leben. [translation Ex-director of the Odenwald School: The man with two lives.]" Frankfurter Rundschau (July 10, 2010).
Der ehemalige Leiter der Odenwaldschule, Gerold Becker, ist tot. Ihm waren sexueller Missbrauch an Sch�lern vorgeworfen worden; dazu sollte ein Wahrheitsforum an der Reformschule starten.

Darren Mara. "Germany's top bishop admits mishandling sex abuse cases." Deutsche Welle (July 9, 2010).
Robert Zollitsch, the Archbishop of Freiburg and head of the German Bishops Conference, acknowledged on Friday that he should have looked more intensely into sexual abuse allegations coming from the priest's congregation in 1992. … The case largely centers on the vicar of Oberharmersbach … 17 men have come forward to the Freiburg diocese with sexual abuse allegations …

"Church of England pays damages over abuse claims." BBC News (July 7, 2010).
The Church of England has paid substantial damages to a woman who claims she was forcibly drugged and sexually abused whilst in the care of a church-run children's home.

"Catholic Church in Kenya investigates rape claims against priest." KBC (Kenya) (June 30, 2010).
The head of the Catholic Church in Kenya archbishop John Cardinal Njue on Wednesday said that investigation into alleged rape of a minor by a priest in Kisii in Nyanza province are underway.

Joep Dohmen. "Catholic nuns also abused children: So far, reports of abuse within the Church have focused almost exclusively on male clerics. But many young children also suffered at the hands of Catholic nuns." NRC Handelsblad (April 23, 2010).
The majority of the reports of abuse by nuns, however, concern sexual abuse and violence that exceed even the more lenient norms of the time. A 16-year-old nurse in training, at the Heerlen Midwives' School, was forced to have sex with a nun repeatedly over a period of eight months. When the school got wind of what was going on, the girl was expelled.

Jerome Taylor. "First Europe, then the US: Now abuse claims sweep Latin America." The Independent (April 22, 2010).
Reports of priests raping or abusing minors have now emerged in Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, Mexico and Chile causing growing anger in a continent that is home to nearly half the world's Catholics.

Ian MacDougall. "Norway's Catholic Church reports new abuse claims." The Guardian (April 9, 2010).
Church officials disclosed on Wednesday that the reason Eidsvig's predecessor, 58-year-old Georg Mueller, resigned in June was that he had admitted to abusing a boy about 20 years earlier, when he was a priest.

Katherine Wilton. "Quebec church says it warned about priest: Two letters sent to Bishop; Order fights back against suggestion it asked him to give a job to pedophile." Montreal Gazette (April 8, 2010).
Gaillot knew of Vadeboncoeur's conviction in Quebec, and yet appointed him priest and vicar in 1988 to a parish outside of Paris, allowing him to have regular contact with children.

"Church scandal: Paedophile monks released." New Zealand Herald (April 7, 2010).
In 2006, Bernard Kevin McGrath was found guilty of 22 charges against nine victims aged 7 to 15 … Rodger William Moloney was found guilty of seven charges of sex abuse against boys and also jailed.

Patrick Condon and Ravi Nessman. "Priest (Joseph Palanivel Jeyapaul) accused of U.S. abuse still working in India." New York Times (April 5, 2010).
A Catholic priest charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in Minnesota is working in his home diocese in India … On Dec. 21, 2006, Monsignor Victor Balke, the-then bishop of the Crookston diocese, wrote about the accusations against Jeyapaul to both Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the Most Rev. Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio …

George Cini. "Pope visits Malta mid-month, sex abuse cases await." Connecticut Post (April 5, 2010).
… a response team in Malta announced that it had received 84 allegations of child abuse allegedly involving 25 Maltese priests … One prominent case in Malta involved a U.S. congressman, Rep. Mark Foley. … Anthony Mercieca, who has retired to Malta, has admitted having inappropriate encounters with Foley …

Christophe Schpoliansky. "Two French priests investigated in Church sex scandal." ABC News (April 2, 2010).
Jacques Gaimard of Rouen was placed under investigation, one step short of being formally charged … French police also questioned another priest from the same diocese of Rouen, Father Philippe Richir, priest of the Saint-Martin de Canteleu …

Tracy Wilkinson. "Latin America church treads softly: Few of the region's top Catholic clerics have addressed the sex abuse scandal assailing the Vatican." Los Angeles Times (April 2, 2010).
Some experts on the Vatican are predicting that the sex abuse scandal will spread through Latin America. … In Brazil, the world's most populous Catholic country, three priests are under police investigation … A Spanish priest working in Chile was convicted March 24 … the priest, Jose Angel Arregui, will be extradited to Spain to face trial for the alleged abuse of at least 15 minors.

Nicholas Kulish. "How a molesting case emerged decades later." New York Times (April 1, 2010).
Father Hullermann went on to molest other boys and was not formally suspended until last month, after the German church acknowledged that "bad mistakes" were made in the handling of his case.

Marci Hamilton. "Learning from the Vatican's problems: What the U.S. must do to protect children now." The Huffington Post (March 31, 2010).
In the last several weeks, Germany and Brazil have been added to the already lengthy list of countries where there is irrefutable evidence of childhood sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy.

Philip de Wit. "In Brazil, Catholic Church sees few scandals: Brazil is the biggest Catholic country in the world, but accusations of sexual abuse by its clergy are few and don't get much attention." NRC Handelsblad (March 31, 2010).
Fear for social repercussions and shame played an important part in the relative absence of accusations levelled at the Brazilian priesthood …

Sylvia Poggioli. "Pressure mounts for Pope amid abuse revelations." National Public Radio (March 31, 2010).
As the faithful fill churches during Holy Week, a wave of clerical sex abuse revelations is sweeping Europe. The latest allegations come from Italy, just outside Vatican walls.

"Chilean Priest Under Investigation for Sexual Abuse of Minors." Latin American Herald Tribune (March 28, 2010).
Judicial sources said that Fr. Juan Henriquez Zapata, 64, a parish priest in the city of Limache … is suspected of having paid … to practice oral sex on two minors aged 15 and 16.

Tom Kington. "Pope dismisses petty gossip of sexual abuse allegations: In Palm Sunday address pope says faith in God leads towards the courage of not allowing oneself to be intimidated." The Guardian (London) (March 28, 2010).
Father Ruggero Conti is standing trial, suspected of molesting 30 children. Interviewed by a magistrate in 2008, [bishop] Gino Reali … said he had ignored complaints "because you hear so many rumours". "If this priest is convicted, I plan to press charges against the bishop for aiding and abetting," said Nino Marazzita, a lawyer and anti-paedophilia campaigner.

Victor Simpson. "Clergy abuse threatens pope's legacy. Key question: What did pontiff know and when did he know it?" MSNBC (March 27, 2010).
… a priest in a town southeast of Paris was hit with sexual assault and child pornography charges after a 22-year-old former choirboy accused him of abuse. The French probe was opened after the man told authorities that he had been assaulted by the priest as an adult, the prosecutor of Troyes, Alex Perrin, said Friday.

Associated Press. "Sex abuse scandals threaten to taint papacy." Fox News (March 26, 2010).
… 67 former pupils at a school for the deaf in Verona described sexual abuse … at the Antonio Provolo Institute for the Deaf. [priests and brothers of the Congregation for the Company of Mary] … The bishop of Verona, Monsignor Giuseppe Zenti, initially accused the former students of lying.

Laurie Goodstein with Rachel Donadio reporting from Rome. "Warned about abuse, Vatican failed to defrock priest (Lawrence C. Murphy)." New York Times (March 24, 2010).
Father Murphy not only was never tried or disciplined by the church's own justice system, but also got a pass from the police and prosecutors who ignored reports from his victims … [Murphy] started as a teacher at St. John's School for the Deaf, in St. Francis [Wisconsin] …

Reed Stevenson. "Dutch Catholics come forward with reports of abuse." Washington Post (March 4, 2010).
About 70 reports have been filed since Friday, when a newspaper reported that three priests from the Salesian order abused pupils decades ago at a boarding school, said Pieter Kohnen of the Dutch Catholic Bishop's Conference.

Elisabetta Povoledo and Alan Cowell. "Pope urges bishops to confront sex abuse." New York Times (February 16, 2010).
The pope met individually with 24 Irish bishops after a report last November that said the church in Ireland had concealed child abuse in Dublin for almost 30 years to 2004 … The report last November horrified many people with disclosures of serial abuse by priests.

Sylvia Poggioli. "Vatican summit addresses Irish sex abuse cases." National Public Radio (February 15, 2010).
Pope Benedict XVI has summoned more than two dozen Irish bishops to the Vatican for meetings to discuss Ireland's massive clerical sex abuse scandal. … Each bishop will have seven minutes to speak directly before the pope and give his version of events.

Elisabetta Povoledo. "Pope meets Irish bishops to debate abuse scandal." New York Times (February 15, 2010).
The meetings are being held in response to a 700-page report issued in Ireland in November that accused church leaders and the police there of covering up decades of child sex abuse by priests in Dublin.

"Missbrauchsverdacht: Kirchengemeinde (Die Gemeinde der Nordelbischen Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche) suspendiert Kantor." Der Spiegel (February 15, 2010).
Schwere Vorwuerfe gegen den Kantor der evangelischen Kirchengemeinde Geesthacht in Schleswig-Holstein: Der 44-Jaehrige soll ein Kind sexuell missbraucht haben. translation Serious allegations against a cantor in an evangelical church in Schleswig-Holstein: the 44-year old is accused of child sexual abuse.

Nicholas Kulish. "German Church Faces Child Abuse Charges." New York Times (February 10, 2010).
… the German magazine Der Spiegel published an article last weekend that said nearly 100 clerics and laypeople had been suspected of abusing children and teenagers nationwide since 1995.

… [Last year in Ireland] a report by the Irish government detailed the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children by Catholic priests in church-run residential schools, many of them run by the Christian Brothers. The report found that both the Catholic hierarchy and Irish state agencies covered up complaints by 320 Irish children who said they were abused by priests between 1974 and 2004.

"Die Scheinheiligen: Die Katolische Kirche und Der Sex." Der Spiegel (February 9, 2010).
Scham und Angst: Die katholische Kirche wird von einer Reihe sexueller Missbrauchsfaelle erschuettert. Betroffen sind nicht nur die Jesuitenschulen. translation Shame and fear: the Catholic church has been rocked by a series of sexual abuse scandals. Those affected include not just the Jesuit schools.

Carsten Volkery. "Kindesmissbrauch in der Kirche: Irlands Scheinheilige suchen Rat in Rom." Der Spiegel (February 9, 2010).

Cover story: "Shame and Fear: Inside Germany's Catholic Sexual Abuse Scandal." Der Spiegel (February 8, 2010).
As shocking as the revelations were, they are merely ‘the tip of the iceberg,’ says the current director of Canisius College, Father Klaus Mertes, who made public the sexual abuse of students. For decades, German bishops tried to look the other way when their pastors engaged in sexual abuse, as well as to downplay the problem by characterizing it as isolated incidents.

Allegations of Abuse and the Statute of Limitations

Back to international news reports

Link to alphabetical list of news stories of alleged abuse

Reporting Abuse

It is widely reported that victims of sexual abuse often remain silent, even for decades, about what happened to them. It is not uncommon for some victims to "find their voice" when others break their silence.

For more background articles on why victims remain silent, click here. For further information on the grooming process used by sexual predators, click here.

Stan Finger. "Priest accused of sexual abuse served in Wichita." Wichita Eagle (May 8, 2010).
Patterson's son committed suicide in 1999 at the age of 29, shortly after confiding he had been sexually abused by their parish priest … [Patterson] said it can be difficult for victims to admit they were abused because of the shame and guilt they typically feel, as well as feeling like they were the only ones targeted.

Mary Ormsby. "Church scandal's next wave: Abused girls." The Star Canada (April 25, 2010).
Researchers say disclosure of abuse is typically delayed for about 30 years, which means women assaulted as children are just starting to come to terms with what happened.

Chiara Bonello. "More abuse victims come forward: ‘It is unfair that justice is not granted quickly’." The Malta Independent (April 24, 2010).

Susan Nielsen. "Beyond the church: Most child sex abuse never sees the light." The Oregonian (March 27, 2010).
… about 90 percent of victims don't speak out, and the reasons are as messy and common as the crimes themselves. It can take decades for victims to shake off enough of the shame to stop feeling responsible. "Denial and survival play a huge part in the reason why victims of abuse 'wait' to come forward," or never say a word, says Kristi Kernal of Beaverton, a co-founder and board member of OAASIS, Oregon Abuse Advocates and Survivors in Service.

… there are stark personal costs to coming forward. If the abuser was a family member, victims risk an ex-communication of sorts by their own family. If the abuser was a trusted coach or pastor or teacher, victims risk other forms of social exile.

Sandi Dolbee and Mark Sauer. "Some answers in sex-abuse scandal." The San Diego Union Tribune (July 22, 2007).
Why has it taken so long for people to come forward with these claims? Shame. Guilt. Fear of not being believed. … "Victims of sexual abuse, both in the church and in all of society, do not come forward until many years after they have been abused. Professionals tell us this is a common trait," said Rodrigo Valdivia … A.W. Richard Sipe, a La Jolla psychotherapist and former priest [added the observation that] many never come forward…

Differing Positions Regarding Statutes of Limitations

Marci Hamilton. "The Vatican adjusts its child-sex-abuse policies again: A reminder of how statutes of limitations play a nefarious role." FindLaw (July 7, 2010).
The Church states that priests are to follow civil-law reporting statutes, but lobbies hard for priests to be exempt.

Paul Vitello. "For 5th year, child sex abuse bill dies in legislature." New York Times (June 2, 2010).
Dennis Poust, the communications director of the New York State Catholic Conference, said the vote represented an emerging consensus that time limits on legal liability were an important civil rights protection. … Since it was first introduced in the 2006-7 session, the Child Victims Act has been fervently opposed by the Catholic Church and several Orthodox Jewish groups …

Pat Gillespie. "Bill closes child sex crimes loophole: Law would hurt church, Catholic group says." News Press (May 3, 2010).
A bill awaiting Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's signature will give child sex abuse victims younger than 16 no time limits to pursue civil or criminal action. Lawmakers in Tallahassee earlier this week voted unanimously to pass House and Senate versions of a bill that eliminate statutes of limitations on filing criminal or civil actions relating to sexual battery of a child younger than 16.

Ashby Jones. "New push to give abuse victims more time to sue: Latest scandals to hit the Catholic Church ratchet up pressure on state lawmakers to extend or eliminate statutes of limitations." Wall Street Journal (April 30, 2010).
Legislatures in a handful of states, including Connecticut, Arizona, New York and Michigan, as well as the territory of Guam, are considering lengthening or eliminating their statutes of limitations in sex-abuse cases.

Annysa Johnson. "Compromise on church sex abuse bill would restore statute of limitations." Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin (April 13, 2010).
Proponents, including victims and statewide police and district attorneys associations, have supported the measure saying it's needed to bring justice to victims, many of whom wait years to voice their allegations. Opponents, including insurers and Catholic and Protestant church officials, say it's unconstitutional …

Arielle Levin Becker. "Statute of Limitations: Hartford Archbishop [Henry J. Mansell] urges parishes to fight legislation on child sex abuse cases." The Hartford Courant, Connecticut (April 10, 2010).
A proposal to extend the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases … "is terrible public policy, discriminatory by its nature, and a huge threat to us all," says [a] letter, signed by Mansell, Bishop William E. Lori of the Bridgeport diocese, and Bishop Michael R. Cote of Norwich.

Professor Marci Hamilton, Paul R. Verkuil Chair in Public Law at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law of Yeshiva University, joined New York Assemblywoman Margaret M. Markey in a letter to the editor of the New York Times (April 2, 2010).
…it has never been more imperative for states to reform or eliminate their statutes of limitations in child sexual abuse cases … passage by the State Legislature of the Child Victims Act, which shifts the balance of power to the victims and away from the secrecy that assists the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, is necessary … the failure to enact this legislation amounts to nothing less than a decision to continue to endanger the lives of millions of children.

"Germany to establish panel on abuse." CBC Canada (March 24, 2010).
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet is meeting Wednesday to establish an expert panel to … examine past abuses and take a second look at Germany's existing statute of limitations on sex crimes.

Howard Fischer. "Time-limit ban for abuse victims to sue attackers OK'd." Arizona Daily Sun (February 23, 2010).
State lawmakers voted Monday to give childhood victims of sex abuse an entire lifetime to sue those who assaulted them. Without dissent, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a measure to repeal the existing laws that require civil suits to be filed within two years of someone turning 18.

Alphabetical List of Cases of Alleged Abuse Reported in the News

Legal Definitions of the Age of Consent

State laws vary in how the age of consent is defined. For a summary of current state legal definitions of the age of consent, see:

US Department of Health and Human Services. Statutory Rape: A Guide to State Laws and Reporting Requirements.

Alvin Adams

Ann Rodgers. "Priest accused of abusing teen to have restricted ministry." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (February 18, 2010).
… the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh investigated reports that he had sexually abused three young people … church law prohibited [Bishop David Zubik] from banning Father Adams from all ministry because the abuse began when she was 16 and church law at that time considered 16-year-olds adults.

Michael Louis Anthony

Teresa Blackman. "Longview youth pastor reportedly admitted sex abuse of teen girl ." KGW News (WA) (May 4, 2010).
Michael Louis Anthony, 43, appeared in court Tuesday morning. Court documents revealed that he worked at the Calvary Chapel when the alleged incidents occurred and he worked with the girl as a counselor and confidant.

Evans Justice Bacon

Stephen Thompson. "Pastor of St. Pete church charged with molesting teenage girl." Tampa Bay Online (April 14, 2009).
A longtime St. Petersburg pastor was arrested Monday on charges he repeatedly molested a 15-year-old girl on church property and then sexually assaulted her after she turned 17.

Luiz Marques Barbosa

Philip de Wit. "In Brazil, Catholic Church sees few scandals." NRC Handelsblad (March 31, 2010).
In Arapiraca, a town in the Brazilian state of Alagoas … a sex tape showing a 82-year-old priest, Luiz Marques Barbosa, in bed with a 19-year-old altar boy.

John Bennison

Dan Noyes. "Priest can't escape history of sexual misconduct." ABC7News (May 25, 2006).
…an Episcopal priest who had sex with members of his own flock and at least one young girl, while he was married…

Bradley Boda

Perrette J. Shields. "Former church youth counselor sentenced to 20 years in child sex assault case." Longmont Times-Call (Colorado) (July 1, 2010).
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, the sexual encounters happened in the church, on church trips and at children's homes. One man told investigators he had started a relationship with Boda when he was 13 and it lasted about a year. Another told police he had encounters with Boda from the time he was 13 until he was 17.

Don Bodnar

Richard Liebrecht. "Ukrainian priest charged with sex offences." Edmonton Sun (March 6, 2009).

"Priest facing sex charges suspended." Edmonton Journal (March 6, 2009).
Rev. Danylo Bodnar was charged with sexual assault and sexual interference earlier this year, the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton said in a release. "The allegations were in no way connected to his priestly ministry, but rather to a personal relationship …"

Lawrence F. X. Brett

"Priests cited in sexual-abuse claims." Connecticut Post (December 1, 2009).
College student goes to urologist because Brett, while performing oral sex on the teen, bit the young man's penis, causing wound.

William Frank Brown

Tommy Witherspoon. "Bellmead pastor sentenced to 50 years for sexually assaulting young church member." Waco Tribune-Herald (November 3, 2009).
… sentenced to 50 years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a young church member who considered him her ‘spiritual mentor.’

Patrick Tolbert and Henry Rosoff. "Pastor accused of molesting girls forgiven by victims: Brown resigned his post as the pastor of First Baptist Church Bellmead as the investigation got underway." KXXV-TV News Channel 25 (November 2, 2009).
Lead prosecutor Beth Toben said the plea deal was best for the community and for the two victims and their family.

Jose Campoverde

"Anaheim pastor arrested on molestation charges." Los Angeles Times (September 28, 2009).
An Orange County pastor accused of molesting several underage girls is in custody and Anaheim police are asking other potential victims to come forward, authorities said today.

Anthony Cappuccio

Karen Ariaza. "Outrageous sentence for crimes against teens." NBC Philadelphia.com (March 13, 2009).
Cappuccio got sentenced to house arrest. Maybe as little as three months.

William Casey

Matt Thacker. "Jeffersonville man speaks out about priest abuse: Tennessee priest charged after reportedly confessing." News and Tribune (TN) (May 1, 2010).
He claims that the Rev. Bill Casey, 76, sexually abused him from age 10 to 15. He said it started with fondling and progressed to "everything you can imagine." … Casey had been in some kind of romantic relationship with Tucker's mother and used that to gain access to him, even taking him on trips …

Lester Cody

Jennifer Emily. "Forney pastor gets 10 years' probation for sexual assault of teen." Dallas Morning News (April 3, 2010).
Dallas County prosecutors say Lester Cody III assaulted the girl when she was 15 and 16. …

Jacob Conder

Ben Garbarek. "Youth leader jailed on sex abuse charges." 14WFIE.com (August 25, 2009).

Adrian Cook

Steve Myers. "Woman says she was abused by Catholic priest in 1970s: The Rev. Adrian Cook, however, says incidents were consensual." The Mobile Register (April 2, 2003).
Cook, 57, now serves as pastor of St. Maurice Catholic Church in Brewton … he acknowledged that he had sex with Weiss, but said it was consensual. He also confirmed that he had fathered a child with another woman.

Paul J. Cool

Josh O'Gorman. "Convicted molester to serve no jail time." Rutland Herald (April 9, 2010).
A Missouri clergyman convicted of using the word of God to molest a woman will serve no prison time and is on his way back home. Paul J. Cool, 49, of Amity, Mo., was sentenced Monday in White River Junction District Court … On Feb. 11, Cool pleaded guilty to five counts of engaging in a prohibited act …

Josh O'Gorman. "Missouri man to face Vermont sex charges." Rutland Herald (November 25, 2009).
The charges allege Cool repeatedly sexually assaulted a woman between 2006 and 2007, when she was between 18 years old and 19 years old.

Jason Cooper (J.D. Cooper)

"Two Baptist ministers convicted in sex case." The Advertiser (August 22, 2009).
… the two men molested a 16-year-old while driving back from a church event . . . Later in May, Richland Parish sheriff's investigators said a second victim came forward …

Antonio Cortes

"Parishioners show faith in accused priest." The Monterey County Herald (July 31, 2009).

Zachary Stahl. "Judgment Day: Salinas priest accused of child molestation will be back in court May 1." Monterey County Weekly (April 30, 2009).

"Child porn charges added in priest sex case: Priest accused of unlawful sexual behavior." KSBW.com (April 23, 2009).

J. Peter Crynes

Dave Janoski. "Monsignor admits sex with teens: Bishop sends letter to parishioners of St. Therese's saying their former priest admitted to "unchaste behavior" with high school girls." Times Leader (August 27, 2006). Article available on AbuseTracker August 2006 archive.

Shawn Davies

Jim Avila, Bonnie Van Gilder and Matt Lopez. "Preachers accused of sins, and crimes: ABC News investigation uncovers predators in protestant churches." ABC News 20/20 (April 13, 2007).
Davies seduced teenage boys by acting like one of the gang. He talked about girls and sex with the teenagers.

Christopher Scott Decaire

Kim Smith. "Former minister found guilty of molesting girl: She says abuse was weekly; 50+ years in prison possible." Arizona Daily Star (August 20, 2009).
"Something happened pretty much every Wednesday," the girl testified, referring to the night that the youth group met.

Marcial Maciel Degollado

Michael Paulson. "Another scandal for Legion founder Maciel." The Boston Globe (February 3, 2009).
… the founder of the Legionaries of Christ, who before he died last year had been barred from public ministry over allegations of sexually abusing young men, is now being accused of having fathered at least one child …

Bruce Nolan. "Catholic group Regnum Christi rocked by sex scandal." Times Picayune (February 22, 2009).
[Jason Berry and Gerald Renner's] 2004 book, Vows of Silence … marshaled on-the-record interviews with nine former legion seminarians who said they had been sexually abused as youths by Maciel … [now] Legion leaders said they learned Maciel had a daughter in her 20s.

Joseph DeShan

"Priests cited in sexual-abuse claims." Connecticut Post (December 1, 2009).
Initiated a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl while he was assigned to St. Augustine's Cathedral … Girl becomes pregnant and DeShan leaves priesthood.

Raoul Deveau

Alison Auld. "Woman alleges decade of abuse by N.S. priest: Says she endured years of sexual assaults, files suit against diocese." The Globe and Mail (January 5, 2010).
John McKiggan, Ms. Deschamp's lawyer, said Tuesday that the now middle-aged woman then moved in with the priest to help her impoverished, devout parents and was instructed to call him uncle.

Jason William Dubwig

James L. White. "Pastor going to prison." Harrison Daily Times (May 19, 2009).
" … accused of having intercourse with a 17-year-old girl, who court documents identify as his adopted daughter."

Jack Duffer

Bob Allen. "Former youth minister pleads guilty to abuse." Associated Baptist Press (February 17, 2010).
A former associate pastor and minister of youth at a Southern Baptist church in Virginia pleaded guilty Feb. 11 to sex offenses against two teenage girls.

Katie Collett. "Former youth pastor arrested again." WAVY.com (August 24, 2009).
Duffer was arrested Friday after a second teenager in two weeks came forward saying the former youth pastor had sexual contact with her …

Kenneth Duncalfe

Gerry Bellett. "Mennonite abuse survivor speaks out against church." Vancouver Sun (March 20, 2009).
His behaviour had first been reported to the church's minister 19 years ago … Pastor Bev Toews of the Abbotsford Mennonite Church of God in Christ … "didn't think laying charges against [Duncalfe] was the way to go." … [Judge] Lenaghan was clearly disturbed by what he had heard regarding the church's response to Duncalfe's confession, "which occurred in 1990 when he admitted his sexual involvement with his daughter to members of his church."

Juan Carlos Duran

Lindsay Melvin. "Memphis-area priests speak out in sermons about sex-abuse reports." Commercial Appeal (Memphis) (April 14, 2010).
Father Thomas Condon of St. Peter Catholic Church Downtown admonished by name Father Juan Carlos Duran, the former Dominican priest who abused a 14-year-old boy while serving at the Church of the Ascension in Raleigh.

Timothy C. Edmonds

Cheryl Caswell. "Former youth pastor gets 10 to 20 years for sexual abuse of girl." The Daily Mail (April 16, 2009).
A former church youth pastor was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in the penitentiary for sexually abusing a young girl …

Andrew Max Eggman Jr.

Pete DeLea. "Former Mennonite missionary enters Alford Plea in sex case." Daily News Record (March 11, 2009).

Pete DeLea. "Eggman avoids Calif. offenders list: Local prosecutors pursue change in status for convicted sex taper." Daily News Record (July 2, 2009).
A former Mennonite missionary who pleaded guilty to secretly videotaping teenage relatives having sex with students at Eastern Mennonite University has been excluded from California's sex offender registry.

Christopher E. Evans

Barrett J. Brunsman. "Former youth minister facing prison found dead: Letters show he couldn't get teen off his mind." Cincinnati Enquirer (February 23, 2010).
Police said a former youth minister at a Clermont County church fatally shot himself Monday, just hours after he pleaded guilty to sexual battery and unlawful sexual conduct involving a 15 year old girl.

Timothy Joseph Evans

Monte Whaley. "Ex-priest guilty of sex assault." Denver Post (March 3, 2007).
Jurors said Monday that they didn't buy the claims of a former Fort Collins priest that his manhandling and caressing of a 17-year-old boy was an innocent expression of his love … the panel convicted 43-year-old Timothy Joseph Evans of three counts of sexual assault of a child by a person in a position of trust.

John M. Fiala

Carol J. Williams. "Sex abuse suit is filed in Texas diocese supervised by L.A.'s incoming archbishop: Teen's lawsuit says he was repeatedly assaulted and that Jose Gomez should have known that the priest was an abuser." Los Angeles Times (April 9, 2010).
The suit alleges that Father John M. Fiala assaulted the teen in 2007 and 2008, including forcing him to perform sex acts at gunpoint. Edwards County sheriff's officials brought the reported abuse to the attention of the church hierarchy in 2008, the lawsuit said.

Sean Fortune

Sarah MacDonald (Producer). "Suing the Pope." BBC Two (March 19, 2002).
Fr Sean Fortune killed himself in 1999 in the first week of the criminal trial denying his many victims their first chance to be heard.

Curtis Franklin

William Lamb. "Mahwah assistant pastor charged in sex assault." North Jersey (December 1, 2009).

James Patrick Grady

"St. Louis area priest pleads guilty in child porn case." KMOXradio (March 31, 2010).
Investigators say they found more than 100 images of girls between the ages of 7 and 17 on his computer …

Robert Patrick. "Catholic priest busted in sex sting in St. Louis County." St. Louis Post-Dispatch (July 31, 2009).
James Patrick Grady, 57, Pastor of St. Raphael The Archangel, showed up at a St. Louis County home Wednesday, offering to pay money to have sex with a 16-year-old girl, documents allege.

Gerard Anthony Green

"NI priest faces sex assault charges: A Catholic priest has gone on trial accused of sexually assaulting an altar boy at a County Down church. BBC (March 12, 2002).
Father Gerard Anthony Green, 54, whose address was given as Ballinamoney Road in Lurgan, appeared at Newry Crown Court on Tuesday to face seven charges of indecent assault and gross indecency.

Fred Hanson

Bryan Tait. "Ex-pastor gets 18 months for sex crimes." The Bugle-Observer (June 19, 2010).
A former St. John River Valley pastor convicted of two sex crimes was sentenced to 16 months behind bars.

Wallace A. Harris

Paul Vitello. "Pastor steps forward with new claim of past sexual abuse by Harlem monsignor." New York Times (August 15, 2008).

Matthew Herrmann

Jennifer Baker. "Catholic school teacher faces more sex charges involving female students: Delhi Twp. man allegedly traded nude photos with 14-year-old girl." Cincinnati Enquirer (June 22, 2010).
A former teacher at faces sex charges involving two teenage students. … There could be more victims, Delhi police announced Tuesday. … Anyone with information about more potential victims is asked to contact Delhi police: 513-922-0060.

Dieugrand Jacques

Eric Glasser. "Boynton Beach Pastor arrested for sexual battery." WPTV (January 8, 2010).
The case dates back to May of 2007 when the alleged victim would have been just 15 years old. … investigators ... questioned other women in the church … another said something similar had happened to her.

Stephen E. Jeselnick

Pat Bywater. "Former local man recounts life-altering events with parish priest that sent him into downward spiral." The Meadville Tribune (February 11, 2008).
Diocese of Erie statement on the case: The allegation … concerns Kevin McParland, who at the time was an adult, and not a minor. Thus, this matter does not fall within the bishop's Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. See also online reader comments.

Dave Johnson, Franciscan friar

Nick Welsh. "Moral dumping ground: New sex abuse claims filed against Franciscans." The Independent (November 25, 2009).
Craig Clover and Ernesto C. would add two more to the list of 62 minors molested by Franciscan friars in Santa Barbara since 1960.

Steven Bruce Joplin

"Staunton youth pastor case moves forward: The case against a former youth pastor accused of fondling young girls is on its way to a grand jury." WSHV.com (October 6, 2009).
A few days later Joplin was charged again after four more victims came forward.

Fernando Karadima

Pascale Bonnefoy and Alexei Barrionuevo. "Chilean Archbishop refers child abuse case against priest to Vatican." New York Times (June 20, 2010).
The archbishop of Santiago, Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz, has asked the Vatican to decide the fate of a prominent Chilean priest who has been accused by several former parishioners of sexually abusing them when they were teenagers.

Kenneth Kaucheck

Cecil Ange. "No charges for Oakland priest accused of sex with girl." Free Press (April 28, 2009).
… forced resignation over allegations of sexual misconduct with a 16-year-old girl … a Clawson detective spoke with the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office and was told there would be no charges filed … because the teen was of legal consent in 1976 when the alleged sexual relationship took place.

Frederick Kelley

Steve Visser. "Pastor faces prison for molesting foster child: Jury returns guilty verdict against Bishop Frederick Kelley of Decatur on charges of aggravated sexual battery and molestation. " The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (February 25, 2008).
A Decatur pastor faces at least 25 years in prison after being convicted of aggravated sexual battery and child molestation of his 15-year-old foster child, authorities said.

James G. Kiffmeyer

Richelle Thompson. "Elder teacher's abuse case not disclosed to school." The Cincinnati Enquirer (May 4, 2002).
Kiffmeyer has denied that allegation as well as the 1997 complaint that was settled … Like the other allegation, the settlement involved an 18-year-old who alleged the priest had "attempted sexual intimacy" … Because the accuser was not a child, the archdiocese didn't feel it had to report the complaint to law enforcement …

Martin Klassen

Eddie Chau. "Woman allegedly silenced by Mennonite church: Virgil native claims sexual abuse at hands of father." Niagara This Week (December 26, 2008).
"I felt betrayed by my church," Klassen told the Crier via phone from an undisclosed location. "I had gone to my pastor (when the abuse took place) and he told me he was aware of it. He told me to forgive my father and family for what happened."

"Sex assault victim claims "Mennonite coverup": Virgil woman says church scared her into silence." The Standard (December 17, 2008).
Klassen said she was also told to never go to the police about the matter … She said her father's pastor, who was based at what is now called the Cornerstone Community Church in Virgil, told her to forgive her father, her family, and the faith leaders who didn't come to her assistance.

Mike Landy

R. J. Cooper. "Former OATS director sentenced." St. Joe News (January 6, 2010).
The victim was 13 and the defendant 43 when the relationship started, and Mr. Landy met her while working with the youth program at the New Life Bible Church.

Robert Larson

Stan Finger. "Priest accused of sexual abuse served in Wichita." Wichita Eagle (May 8, 2010).
The priest, Robert Larson, pleaded guilty in 2001 in Harvey County District Court to abusing three altar boys and a 19-year-old man while he was pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Newton.

Baruch Lebovits

Mary Murphy. "Rabbi sentenced 32 years for sexually abusing teen." WPIX.com (April 13, 2010).
Lebovits, a father of seven children and grandfather to 24, had long been the subject of talk in his community, but no action was ever taken against him, until three alleged victims came forward a couple of years ago.

John Thomas Mathew Lee

Dan Ephron. "Questionable conduct: Chaplains, sexual abuse and what the military knows." Newsweek (December 24, 2007).
… the 20-year-old cadet started counseling with a military chaplain, Navy Lt. Cmdr. John Thomas Mathew Lee …

Russell Lesser

Leigh Mills. "A local woman brings her sexual predator to justice 35 years after the crimes were committed." NBC 15 (November 10, 2009).
"… a Christian camp, and that's where he started to groom me." … Lesser pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Russell Dion Lewis

Bob Allen. "Abuse charge against worship leader rocks prominent Fla. church." Associated Baptist Press (December 1, 2009).
While authorities say the acts were consensual, in Florida a 14-year-old cannot legally consent to sex.

Fernando Lugo

"The Sins of Father Clean-Up: Paraguay is reeling from the news that its moral-crusader president had a teenage mistress while still a bishop." The Sunday Times (April 19, 2009).

Jody Lusk

O.J. Stapleton. "Pastor charged with rape repents." News-Leader and Democrat (October 2009).
Lusk, who admits to a six-month affair with the young teenager, said he will not fight the charge of second-degree rape.

Robert MacGregor

Josh Jerga. "Celibacy vow ruled ‘cruel and archaic’." AAP (February 24, 2010).
During online chat sessions … [with] … a police officer posing as a 13-year-old girl. The 55-year-old pleaded guilty in October to grooming and procuring a child under the age of 16 and today he was sentenced to a maximum of 18 months behind bars.

Daniel Maio

Jeff Tucker. "Diocese faces new sex abuse lawsuit: Both men's claims involve the late Rev. Daniel Maio." The Pueblo Chieftain (April 7, 2010).
A second civil lawsuit alleging child sexual abuse by the former director of youth services for the Catholic Diocese of Pueblo was filed in court Monday.

Luis A. Bonilla Margarito

Kathy Lauer-Williams. "Priest removed from duties after admitting affair: Had inappropriate relationship with 18-year-old. He previously served in Emmaus, Orefield." The Morning Call (November 16, 2009).

James J. McCoy

James Craven. "Victim recounts clergy abuse in Southington." New Britain Herald (January 15, 2009).
McCoy admitted to inappropriate behavior but denied having done anything more than kissing and fondling. According to a police statement given by Townsley, McCoy suggested that the fault was with Maxfield … McCoy was convicted on two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault. He was sentenced to two years in jail, suspended after 60 days with probation for three years.

Stephen Miller

Derek Alexander. "Priest is suspended from parish following police investigation." Sunday Mail (March 22, 2009).

Victor Mitchell

"Two Baptist ministers convicted in sex case." The Advertiser (August 22, 2009).
… the two men molested a 16-year-old while driving back from a church event … Later in May, Richland Parish sheriff's investigators said a second victim came forward …

Walter Mixa

"Ex-Bischof Walter Mixa (69) gibt auf: ‘Ich bin in vieler Hinsicht schuldig geworden’." BILD (Germany) (June 23, 2010).

"Ex-Bischof Walter Mixa gibt auf." FOCUS Magazin (Germany) (June 23, 2010).
Er sei "in vieler Hinsicht schuldig geworden", raeumte der 69-Jaehrige ein. … in der vergangenen Woche hatte sich Mixa als Opfer einer Intrige bezeichnet …

Tom Heneghan. "German RC Church confirms damning report on bishop." Reuters (June 22, 2010).
… the bishops' report painted a devastating portrait of an alcoholic who regularly drank all day long and had made homosexual advances to at least two young priests working with him in the 1990s.

Bruno Waterfield. "Shamed German bishop: a sex predator." Vancouver Sun (June 21, 2010).

Bruno Waterfield. "Walter Mixa, German bishop and ally of the Pope, faces new child abuse allegations: A secret Vatican file on a disgraced Roman Catholic German bishop alleges he is a ‘severely alcoholic man’ who sexually preyed on young priests." The Telegraph (UK) (June 21, 2010).

Jon Moore

Dennis Huspeni. "Ex-pastor to spend holidays in jail." The Gazette (Colorado Springs) (December 15, 2008).
A former pastor convicted of molesting a teen-age girl will spend Christmas in jail . . . Moore admitted he repeatedly assaulted a then 15-year-old female parishioner, including after Sunday services in the church basement, starting in 2004. See also online reader comments.

Joseph Muench

Jim Warren. "Priest's abuse victims didn't want to be ID'd. Prosecutor: Plea deal averts trauma of testifying." Lexington Herald Leader (March 23, 2010).
… One victim in the case was older than 18 and another was 16 when the incidents occurred …

Chester Mulligan

"Former East Chicago pastor faces sex charges." Indianapolis Star (December 30, 2003). Article available on the Poynter Center AbuseTracker website archive.
Authorities allege that Chester Mulligan, 58, now of Fort Sill, Okla., first had sexual intercourse with the girl, then 14, in July 1997.

Brian Neiswender

Sheena Delazio. "Ex-youth pastor gets 8-16 months: Brian Neiswender pleaded no contest to charges he inappropriately touched as many as 10 girls while on the staff for a church in Kingston." Times Leader (July 21, 2009).

Patrick L. Nicholson

Steve Myers and Kristen Campbell. "Woman pursues report on former Mobile priest: Susan Archibald accuses the Rev. Patrick L. Nicholson of seducing her into an exploitative sexual relationship." Mobile Register (February 15, 2003). Available on the AbuseTracker website archive.
At the time, he was a 37-year-old captain, ordained in his native Ireland, and she was an 18-year-old cadet from rural Wisconsin.

Joshua O'Bannion

Danielle Frizzi. "Parma Pastor admits to sex with teen." Fox8.com (September 30, 2009).
When word got out that O'Bannion had been arrested, Parma police received calls from two victims in Parma … Parma police believe there are more victims. Anyone with information should contact the crime tip line at (440) 887-7340.

Patrick O'Connor

Michael O'Malley. "Former Cleveland Catholic Diocese priest begins jail sentence for sexual offense." Metro-Cleveland.com (January 5, 2010).
A former priest of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese reported Monday to Lorain County Jail where he began a 90-day sentence for having sexual contact with a 15-year-old boy in 1997.

Freddie L. Parker

"Adams County pastor freed on bond after being charged with statutory rape." WREG News Channel 3 (Memphis) (March 24, 2009).
Authorities say a pastor in Adams County has been charged with statutory rape after DNA evidence showed he was the father of a baby born to a 14-year-old girl … the Rev. Freddie L. Parker, pastor of the True Bibleway Church, was arrested Monday.

Gregory Patejko

Stephen J. Lee. "A crime of silence." Grand Forks Herald (May 6, 2009).
Vicar General, Monsignor Wendelyn Vetter, came to [the alleged victim's] home and got him to sign a document releasing the Fargo diocese from any claims …

Michael Pecharich

William Lobdell. "Priest leaves sad, angry congregants: Members of the Orange County church are stunned as leader of 12 years is forced out after admitting to sexual misconduct with teen." Los Angeles Times (March 4, 2002).
The congregants gave the departing priest a standing ovation … Some congregants floated the idea of naming the new parish hall after Pecharich as a tribute …

Daniel Pedroza

Nathan Wright and Lacey Nadeau. "Youth pastor accused of sexual relationship with teen." San Clemente Times (December 18, 2008).
Pedroza is accused of six felony counts, including three counts of unlawful sex with a minor. See also online reader comments.

Chris Caesar. "Youth pastor accused of sexual relationship with teen: Daniel Pedroza, of San Clemente, faces 6 felony counts." The Orange County Register (December 18, 2008).
Amormino said investigators think there may be additional victims, and urged anyone with more information to contact the Sheriff's Department at 714-628-7170. See also online reader comments.

Robert Petrella

Tom Roussey. "Victim of priest sex abuse gives advice to parents." WBTV (Gaffney, SC) (July 7, 2010).
David Fortwengler says he knows what the man who came forward alleging abuse by a North Carolina priest (Joseph Kelleher) feels like. … He says Robert Petrella, the Catholic priest convicted of abusing him, abused a total of over two dozen children.

John Picard

Mark Caudill. "Ex-youth pastor gets 40 years." Mansfield News Journal (September 4, 2009).
[Picard] wielded control over some of the victims from their teens to adulthood, in some cases even after marriage.

Charles Plock

Erica Pearson, Kerry Burke and Alison Gendar. "St. John's University priest accused of sending homemade smut to teen." New York Daily News (October 20, 2008).
When NYPD investigators showed up at the cleric's on-campus apartment in Murray Hall yesterday, Plock argued that he sent his X-rated videos only to consenting adults, a law enforcement source said.

John Powell

Peter Sachs. "Former Loyola professor charged in sex abuse case." Chi Town Daily News (December 10, 2008).
A Florida woman has become the most recent person to claim she was sexually abused by a Jesuit priest who used to teach at Loyola University Chicago, and that the Jesuit order covered up the incident and others like it. … Powell, 83 and now retired, was named in two previous sex abuse lawsuits, one of which was settled out of court in 2005.

Michael J. Pratt

Sara Israelsen-Hartley. "Ex-seminary principal Michael Pratt pleads guilty in sex case." Deseret News (American Fork, Utah) (June 2, 2010).
Michael J. Pratt [former principal of the Lone Peak High School LDS seminary in Highland], pleaded guilty in 4th District Court to two counts of object rape and one count of forcible sodomy, first-degree felonies, and one count of forcible sex abuse, a second-degree felony. … Eleven other similar felonies were dismissed.

Bernard Prince

Jennifer Green. "‘It ruined my life’, victim of pedophile priest says. Former archbishop Gervais knew of transgressions: court documents." Ottawa Citizen (April 10, 2010).
It would be more than 25 years before Prince would be defrocked and convicted on 13 counts of sexual and indecent assault. … Court documents in Pembroke show that even Ottawa's former archbishop, Marcel Gervais, knew about Prince's transgressions. In 1993, the Vatican awarded Prince a high-ranking post in Rome …

Joseph Kennedy Ragland

"Preacher accused of rape." Daily Record (May 4, 2009).
The 47 year-old minister is accused of raping a 16-year-old girl who is a member of his church …

Luis Eduardo Ramirez

Rachanee Srisavasdi. "Priest who tried to grope boy won't serve ministry." The Orange County Register (April 7, 2009).
Rev. Luis Eduardo Ramirez, who used to be assigned to Our Lady of the Pillar parish in Santa Ana, pleaded guilty in June to taking a 17-year-old boy to a motel room and trying to touch him.

Arthur James Ree

David Unze. "Former pastor receives sentence for sexual abuse." St. Cloud Times (Minnesota) (July 9, 2010).
He admitted during his plea hearing that he had numerous sexual contacts with the girl from late 2001 until June 2003, when the girl was 11-13 years old.

Rudolf Renteria

Darren Barbee. "Man settles sex-abuse suit with Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth." Dallas Star-Telegram (July 1, 2010).
The suit, filed last year in state district court, accused the Rev. Rudolf Rentera of abusing the boy in the rectory at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Arlington … Bishop Kevin Vann has petitioned the Vatican to defrock Renteria …

Larry Reuter

Ken Trainor. "Ascension's pastor finds himself upfront and center as the sex abuse scandal hits close to home." Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest (IL) (May 11, 2010).
Reuter that morning told [Rev. Larry McNally] about an inappropriate relationship he'd had with a student at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, back when Reuter was rector (1975-1990).

"Second victim comes forward alleging abuse from ex-Loyola chief." Sun-Times Media (May 4, 2010).
A second victim has come forward alleging he was abused by a former Loyola Academy president while he was head of the North Shore high school. … Jesuit officials learned information about the initial 18-year-old victim while reviewing personnel files … said the Rev. Timothy Kesicki, the head of the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus.

Larry Reynolds

Bob Allen. "Bellevue pastor staying, Texas pastor leaving, over clergy sex-abuse scandals." Ethics Daily (December 22, 2006).
On Nov. 19, as a condition of the settlement agreement, Reynolds read a statement to the church saying: "Twenty years ago, I made a terrible mistake. I realize now that my lapse in judgment caused one of our parishioners great harm."

Bob Allen. "Pastor reportedly settles lawsuit alleging sexual abuse of minor." Ethics Daily (November 20, 2006).
… settlement in principle was reached in a lawsuit filed June 8 against Larry Reynolds, pastor of Southmont Baptist Church in Denton, Texas, alleging years ago he had sexual relations with a girl that began when she was 14 and continued for seven years.

Martin Richter

Pastor arrested on molestation charges." Highland News (February 4, 2010).
Investigators are concerned that there may be other victims and are asking for any information from the public concerning Richter's connection with other children. Call Detective Craig Harris or Deputy Laura Marks at (909) 866-0100.

Martin P. Ryan

Daniel Tepfer. "Bishop Lori admits to keeping in ministry a priest credibly accused of abuse." Connecticut Post (November 17, 2003).
Ryan, pastor of St. Edward the Confessor parish in New Fairfield, has been accused of molesting the girl in the 1970s when she was a member of the Catholic Youth Organization at St. Theresa's Church in Trumbull … She said diocesan officials told her Ryan was having "issues with celibacy."

Alison Leigh Cowan. "New clergy abuse settlement is announced in Bridgeport." New York Times (October 17, 2003).
Of the 16 priests named in Thursday's settlement … only one, Msgr. Martin P. Ryan, is still active … Bishop Lori said he stood by the decision to allow Monsignor Ryan to continue working. "He's not a predator … He's not at all a threat to young people."

Russell Schaller

"Pastor charged with criminal sexual conduct." WXYZ (February 9, 2010).
Russel Schaller was taken into custody Sunday. He currently serves as pastor at Greater St. John's Missionary Baptist Church on Detroit's east side. Police are asking anyone who may have been assaulted by Schaller to come forward.

Sheena Harrison. "Detroit church pastor taken into custody on Sunday, accused of molesting underage boy." MLive.com (February 09, 2010).
Similar accusations have been made about Schaller in the past, but none of them resulted in criminal charges, according to WXYZ. … The News Herald said police suspect that other children who have had inappropriate contact with Schaller. People with information are asked to call the River Rouge Police Department at 313-842-8700.

Thomas Seifner

Nate Birt. "Statement: Former Pilot Grove priest on leave amid investigation." Boonville Daily News (January 8, 2010).
… pending investigation of an "allegation of inappropriate electronic communication with a minor" five years ago, a news release from the Diocese of Jefferson City states.

Richard Frank Shaw

Jeff Allen. "Man pleads guilty after alleged sex with girl: A church van driver and former school employee pleads guilty after allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17 year old girl." WKYT.com (July 28, 2009).
"I believe he preyed on this girl's love for God and Christianity … " says (Bell County Attorney) Ward.

Lakwinder Singh

Adrian Nieoczym. "Charged Sikh priest's arraignment delayed." Kelowna Capital News (April 4, 2009).
He is charged with sexual exploitation, sexual interference and two counts of sexual assault involving a 15-year-old girl.

Joshua Spires

Bob Allen. "Former Okla. pastor sentenced to 10 years for molestation." Associated Baptist Press (October 26, 2009).
A former Southern Baptist pastor in Oklahoma has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after confessing to sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl who attended his church.

Sheila K. Stogsdill. "Delaware County pastor assaulted girl, 15, on his church desk, affidavit says." NewsOK (August 26, 2009).

Paul St. Charles

Lawrence Buser. "Priest named in abuse cases dies at 70: St. Charles led youth groups; denied claims." The Commercial Appeal (December 29, 2009).
A priest who was a leader of Memphis Catholic youth groups in the 1970s and later was named in multiple lawsuits alleging sexual abuse died Sunday in Nashville.

St Stanislaus College (seminary), Bathurst

"Church dismissed complaints over Bathurst priest." CathNews (September 08, 2008).

David G. Stanco

Sam Cooper. "Former choir director, religion teacher faces new allegations: Stanco was leader at Watertown, Thomaston churches." Republican American (May 12, 2010).
Police are investigating two more allegations of sexual abuse involving David G. Stanco, the former choir director at United Methodist Church in Watertown and organist and religious education teacher at St. Thomas Parish in Thomaston.

Gregory Starkey

Eric S. Page and Steven Luke. "Church sued, sex abuse coverup alleged." NBC San Diego (May 11, 2010).
The Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church was sued Monday … Greg Starkey pleaded guilty in 2009 to criminal charges in connection to the molestation of two girls whom he was supervising in the choir …

Greg Moran. "Girls sue church, allege sex abuse: Choir director reportedly fired, rehired." San Diego Union Tribune (May 11, 2010).
Two girls filed suit Monday against Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church … The lawsuit contends that church administrators knew of complaints against the former teacher …

Donald Straub

Shaun Hittle. "Dodge City Diocese says there are ‘credible’ claims of abuse against two former priests." Lawrence-Journal World (July 9, 2010).
There have been six civil lawsuits filed in Missouri between 2004 and 2007 naming Straub and the Archdiocese of St. Louis as defendants.

Philip Taban

"Visiting priest charged with sexual assault." KVIA.com (September 13, 2007).
The investigation revealed an 18-year old Hispanic female met with Taban for spiritual counseling. During two of these meetings, Taban sexually assaulted the victim … Taban is being held in the El Paso County Jail on a $25,000 bond for each count.

Dean Richard Tarkington

Robin Pyle. "Preacher charged with sending sex video to minor." Lubbock Online (January 6, 2010).
A Lubbock pastor was arrested last week on federal charges after authorities say he sent a lewd sexual video of himself to a 16-year-old girl in Louisiana.

Ronald Hernandez Tovar

"Pastor faces more charges in relationship with teen: Placentia man accused of continuing to see 16-year-old girl in violation of court order." The Orange County Register (November 10, 2007).

Dale Tucker

Rebecca S. Green. "Ex-church leader gets 10 years in teen abuse." The Journal Gazette (January 12, 2010).
Dale K. Tucker, 57, pleaded guilty in November in Allen Superior Court to sexual misconduct with a minor, admitting to giving a boy alcohol and performing sex acts on him.

Eric Nelson Vancleave

Neighbors shocked at evangelical worker's arrest." WIS TV (February 14, 2010).
Sheriff James Metts believes there are more victims.

"Evangelical ministry worker, substitute teacher accused of molesting boys." WIS TV (February 13, 2010).
A former member of a Cayce evangelical Christian ministry and substitute teacher is accused of molesting four boys on camping trips and at his home. Investigators think there may be more victims.

Jordan Clint Vernon

Sara Leaming. "Another alleged victim comes forward in Post Falls sex abuse case." The Spokesman-Review (January 6, 2010).
Vernon was arrested Dec. 28, accused of having sex with at least two girls, ages 14 and 17, and having inappropriate contact with at least two others, ages 12 and 14, from 2007 to 2009.

Anyone with information about alleged cases of inappropriate conduct involving Jordan Vernon, a former member of Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, should contact Detective Sgt. Dave Beck at (208) 773-6341.

Chet Warren

Bill Frogameni. "Toledo native Barbara Blaine crusades against sexual abuse in the Catholic church." Toledo City Paper (April 29, 2004). Article available on BishopAccountability's Documentary History of the Crisis website.
Blaine was 29 when she told her family in 1985 about her abuse … Soon after, the family brought Barbara's allegations to the Oblates of St. Francis DeSales, Father Warren's religious order … Warren stayed in ministry until put on leave in September 1992, shortly before Blaine's story was mentioned on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

Gregory Washington

Becky Nahm and Michelle Knoll. "Minneapolis church director pleads to sex with teen." KSTP.com (September 15, 2009).
Washington was convicted of having sex with a 15-year-old girl at Zion Baptist Church . . . He admits getting her pregnant … Monday's guilty plea involves the most recent incident and another count for a third relationship with a girl he had back in 1997.

Robert Weber

"Youth pastor indicted on felony charges." NewsWest9 (January 5, 2010).
44-year-old Robert Weber is accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl he counseled at Second Baptist Church of Odessa.

Ernest Willis

CBS. "Woman: Church covered up my rape as teen, says Deacon impregnated her in '97; Church Elders blamed her; Alleged rapist now under arrest; Pastor at time denies cover-up." CBS News (May 29, 2010).
A woman now living in Arizona alleges she was raped twice 13 years ago by a prominent member of her church at the time, the fundamentalist Trinity Baptist Church in Concord, N.H. Tina Anderson says the rapes resulted in her becoming pregnant when she was only 15.

Lynne Tuohy. "Woman in rape case says pastor advised she be ‘church-disciplined’." Union Leader (May 27, 2010).
Tina Anderson was a scared 15-year-old when she was summoned by church leaders to stand before her congregation and apologize for getting pregnant out of wedlock. … She placed her daughter, born in March 1998, up for adoption at [Pastor Chuck Phelps] urging, with a family he had chosen.

Trent Spiner. "Police: Girl raped, then relocated." Concord Monitor (NH) (May 25, 2010).
After being raped and impregnated by a fellow churchgoer more than twice her age, a 15-year-old Concord girl was forced by Trinity Baptist Church leaders to stand before the congregation to apologize before they helped whisk her out of state, according to the police.

"Police say church's actions thwarted rape investigation: Man charged with rape after alleged victim found 13 years later." WMUR.com (May 25, 2010).
A man has been charged with raping a woman when she was a teenager 13 years ago and the two were members of the same church … Police said their original investigation of rape allegations in 1997 was disrupted because the victim's parents arranged with church leaders to move her out of the state when she became pregnant.

Dwayne Wilson

Ryan Poe. "Music minister charged with rape of girl, 16: Pastor cites forgiveness, lets accused remain in his job." The Commercial Appeal (November 29, 2009).
The music minister of a local Church of God in Christ congregation remains in his post after being charged with statutory rape involving a 16-year-old choir member.

Scott Dewayne Wright

Camille C. Spencer. "Former youth pastor seduced teen, Pasco petition says." St. Petersburg Times (April 1, 2009).

Robert Yurgel

Gary Wright. "Charlotte diocese pays $1 million to sex abuse victim." The News and Observer (May 8, 2010).
Robby Price was a 14-year-old altar boy in 1999 when a Catholic priest in Charlotte molested him … Price agreed to reveal his identity so other victims might come forward and tell their stories.

Gary L. Wright. "Catholic diocese to pay $1 million to molestation victim." Charlotte Observer (May 7, 2010).
In settling the lawsuit, the Catholic diocese denied any liability.

Minister not named

Rick Stillion. "Woman says she was sexually assaulted by priest." The Daily Jeffersonian (December 31, 2008).
A Cambridge woman is reportedly alleging she was sexually assaulted by a Catholic priest in the 1980s while she was a 15-year-old high school student … the priest's attorney threatened to file a lawsuit against Mercer if she spoke publicly for the first time about the alleged crimes. See also online reader comments.