Local priests named in list of those accused of sexual assault

The list of names released by the Catholic Church of clergy who served in the West and were accused of sexual abuse includes many names from this part of Montana.

The Catholic Church’s Diocese of Great Falls-Billings and the Jesuits West have both released lists of the priests and sisters which have been accused of sexual abuse.

Diocese of Great Falls-Billings Chancellor Darren Eultgen said Tuesday that the diocese released its list due to the conditions of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy claim made in March 2017.

“(I) don’t have any comments on the allegations. It might be good to talk to those plaintiff attorneys that were involved in them,” Eultgen said.

The Diocese of Great Falls-Billings says on its website that the diocese released the list to “further promote healing and reconciliation” and to continue the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings’ efforts to prevent sexual abuse from occurring within the diocese.

Eultgen said the Jesuits provided priests for this part of Montana until 1994, when the Great Falls-Billings Diocese took over that service.

The release of names was part of the non-monetary commitments required in a settlement of lawsuits filed against the diocese.

A March 31, 2017, press release from the diocese reported 72 claims of abuse of minors by diocesan priests, religious community priests, religious women and lay workers.

“The Diocese is filing a Chapter 11 reorganization case before the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Montana to fulfill a pre-bankruptcy mediated negotiated agreement with known abuse survivors and the diocese liability insurance carrier,” the press release states.

In the release, Bishop Michael W. Warfel said that none of the members of the diocese who have been credibly accused remain active in parish ministry, adding that most of those accused are dead.

“On behalf of the entire Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, I express my profound sorrow and sincere apologies to anyone who was abused by a priest, a sister or a lay church worker,” he said. “No child should experience harm from anyone who serves in the church.”

Eultgen said that for more than two decades the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings has implemented an abuse prevention program, which includes screening and training employees, volunteers, priests and seminarians.

Jesuits West Director of Communication Tracey Primrose said Wednesday that Jesuits West have produced their list because they want to create more transparency and hold themselves accountable. Primrose said that one of the goals for releasing this list is so that parents can feel safe and comfortable with their organization.

“Most importantly, parents need to know that their children are going to be safe at church, at school or in any setting which includes Jesuits,” a frequently asked questions document on the Jesuits West website says. “We can only be of service to the People of God if people trust us.”

A Jesuits West release encourages anyone who has felt victimized by a Jesuit to contact Mary Pat Panighetti, advocacy coordinator for Jesuits West, at 408-893-8398 and appropriate law enforcement and child-protective agencies.

The document also states the criteria for people named on the list.

“Names are included on this list if there is a credible claim of sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult,” the document states. “Their inclusion does not necessarily mean they were found guilty of any charge.

“… The list contains the names of Jesuits who are or were members of Jesuits West Province, the former California Province and the former Oregon Province, against whom a credible claim of sexual abuse of a minor or a vulnerable adult has been made,” it adds.

Also included are the names of Jesuits of the former Oregon Province with credible claims already published as part of the Oregon bankruptcy filing and Jesuits listed in diocesan bankruptcies or listed by other dioceses.

The names of people who worked in the local area released on the Jesuits West list consist of:

— Joseph A. Balfe. The alleged abuse took place between 1934 and 1940 and 1959 and 1961. He served in St. Jude Thaddeus Church between 1953 and 1957 and died Sept. 29, 1969.

— John S. Harrington. The alleged abuse took place in 1975 and was reported in 2009. He served in St. Jude’s from 1975 through 1994 and died March 5, 2004.

— Gabriel M. Menager, who was accused in 2009. He served in St. Jude’s from 1930 to 1933 and St. Paul’s Mission in Hays from 1936 to 1939 and 1945 to 1946. He died July 28, 1966.

— Peter O’ Grady. The alleged abuse took place in 1981 and was reported in 2003 and 2009. He served in St. Jude’s from 1952 to 1954 and died June 16, 1993.

— Sylvester D. Penna. The alleged abuse took place from 1951 through 1957 and was reported in 2009. He served at St. Jude’s from 1953 to 1960 and 1967 to 1968. He also served in St. Thomas the Apostle in Harlem from 1968 to 1972. He died Jan. 8, 1974.

— Edmond J. Robinson. The alleged abuse took place from 1959 to 1964, 1963 to 1965, 1966 to 1968 and 1968 to 1972. He was reported in 2008. He served in St. Jude’s from 1986 to 1987, St. Thomas from 1987 to 1989 and St. Paul’s Mission from 1956 to 1958, 1959 to 1962, 1966 and 1968. He died May 22, 2014.

— Patrick F. Savage was involved in a separate bankruptcy related to a sexual abuse lawsuit. He served in St. Paul’s from 1925 to 1927 and in St. Jude’s from 1939 to 1941. He died Sept. 15, 1965.

— Frederick Simoneau, was also involved in a separate bankruptcy related to a sexual abuse lawsuit. He served in St. Paul’s from 1947 to 1956, 1965 to 1967 and 1969 to 1977. He also served in St. Jude’s from 1977 to 1984. He died April 21, 1984.

— Richard J. Pauson, who served in St. Thomas from 1961 to 1963. He also served St. Paul’s Mission from 1959 to 1960 and was accused in 2009. The alleged abuse took place from 1967 to 1968, he died August 25, 1971.

— Arnold L. Custer was involved in a separate bankruptcy related to sexual abuse lawsuit. He served in St. Paul’s from 1944 to 1945 and 1962 to 1966. He also served at St. Thomas in Harlem from 1950 to 1952. He died March 2, 1969.

— John Joseph Brown served in the St. Paul’s Mission in Hays from 1967 to 1970 and was accused in 2009. The alleged abuse occurred from 1953 to 1959. He died August 26, 1987.

— Francis E. Duffy served in St. Paul’s from 1938 to 1939 and 1946 to 1948 and was accused in 2002, 2008 and 2009. The alleged abuse occurred from 1949 to 1950, 1967 to 1969 and 1977 to 1978. He died Dec. 1, 1992.

— James P. Hurley served in St. Paul’s from 1962 to 1964 and was accused in 2009. The alleged abuse occurred in the late 1950s and from 1966 to 1967. He died Nov. 14, 1998.

— Leonard A. Kohlman served in St. Paul’s from 1951 to 1962 and was reported in 2009. The alleged abuse occurred from 1958 to 1967, 1962 to 1976 and 1965 to 1969. He died Sept. 24, 1972. The dates are as presented on the Jesuit’s release.

— Bernard F. McMeel served in St. Paul’s from 1978 to 1994 and was reported in 1978. The alleged abuse occurred in 1977, apparently before he went to St. Paul’s. He died Jan. 6, 1994.

— John I. Ryan was involved in a separate bankruptcy related to a sexual abuse lawsuit. He served in St. Paul’s from 1963 to 1986 and died Aug. 3, 1986.

— Augustine M. Dimier was released after a separate bankruptcy of a church in California or Oregon related to sexual abuse claims. He served in St. Paul’s from 1913 to 1920.

— Rene Gallant was released in relation to a separate bankruptcy related to a sexual assault lawsuit in a church in Oregon. He served at St. Paul’s Mission from 1929 to 1933. He was reported in 2009. The alleged abuse occurred for multiple years from 1943 to 1970. He died July 23, 1975.

— Augustine J. Ferretti served in St. Margaret Mary’s Church in Big Sandy from 1955 to 1957. The alleged abuse occurred from 1952 to 1958, 1960 to 1969 and 1971 to 1976. He was accused in 2009. He died June 29, 1982. He was included in a bankruptcy case in Oregon.

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Online: Jesuit West list: https://jesuitswest.org/Assets/Publications/File/JW_List_1207_English.pdf/.

Jesuits West Frequently asked Questions page: http://jesuitswest.org/Assets/Publications/File/JW_FAQ_English.pdf/.

The Diocese of Great Falls-Billings press release including the names of the accused priests: http://diocesegfb.org/Bankruptcy/Final%20Press%20Release.pdf/.