GREEN BAY, Wis. — A Wisconsin diocese has released the names of more than 40 clergy members with substantiated allegations they sexually abused a minor.
The Green Bay Diocese posted the names of 46 clergy on its website Thursday. Most priests listed served in eastern Wisconsin communities, but several list past service in Wittenberg, Stevens Point, Antigo and other central Wisconsin locations.
According to the Green Bay Press Gazette, just 15 of the 46 clergy members are living. One name is being withheld pending further review because the priest is contesting his inclusion on the list. Additionally, there are 16 priests and 2 deacons accused of sexual abuse of a minor who, after investigation, and review by the Independent Review Board, were either exonerated or the allegation against them unsubstantiated, the Diocese stated.
Bishop David Ricken apologized at a news conference to the 98 known victims of sexual abuse by the clergy in the diocese since 1906. Ricken called for any other victims to come forward.
The Diocese says these priests have a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor that surfaced in the past 112 years. To view details regarding each person, click on his name.
Donald Becker
Dennis Bouche
David Boyea
Stanley Browne
Donald Buzanowski
Michael Carroll
John Conrad
August Dusold
William Eberhardy
Simeon Engl
John Feeney
Bernard Geimer
Daniel Gilsdorf
Ralph Hermsen
Richard Heyman
Philip Hoffmann
Leroy Hogan
William Kiernan
Jerome Koerner
John Koprowski
Nicholas Langenfeld
Clarence Leitermann
Norbert Rank
Francis Reinke
Kenneth Rodgers
Donald Rose
Tito Sammut
Eugene Schmidt
Ronald Schneider
Earl Schuh
Thomas Stocker
Richard Thomas
Robert Thompson
Gerald Van Nuland
Alphonse Wagner
Jerome Watry
In addition, the Diocese is listing the following 10 priests as each having a single substantiated allegation of abusing a minor that surfaced after the priest had already died.
Arthur Danks
Rudolph J. Hodik
George Kiefer
Laurence Loerke
Florian Milbauer
Glen Ochs
Fridolin Olshowski
Elroy Reimer
Francis Rose
Walter Williams
“While any allegation received is investigated to the extent possible, an allegation received after a priest is deceased does not provide the opportunity for him to respond,” the Diocese cautioned.
According to the Diocese, each substantiated allegation was received and investigated by the Diocese of Green Bay and then reviewed and confirmed by a independent review board. All substantiated allegations were reported to the District Attorney of the county where the alleged abuse had taken place even if the priest was deceased.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
