Bishop W. Shawn McKnight of the Diocese of Jefferson City released a list of 33 priests and religious brothers "credibly accused" of sexual abuse of minors and/or removed from ministry in the diocese.
The list includes three priests from other dioceses who served in the Jefferson City Diocese, five members of a religious order (priest or brother) and 25 priests from the Jefferson City Diocese. Almost half, 14, are deceased. The median year of birth of the men is 1938 and the median year of ordination for the priests is 1964.
McKnight said the most recent case of physical sexual abuse occurred in 1997. Since then, two credible allegations of violations of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the US bishops' policies for safe environment, have been made. One allegation involved the use of social media and the other concerned Internet pornography depicting minors.
The list of priests, diocese in which they served and status includes:
Hugh Behan, Diocese of Jefferson City, removed from ministry;
Kevin Clohessy, Diocese of Jefferson City, removed from ministry;
Manus Daly, Diocese of Jefferson City, removed from ministry;
John B. DeAngelis, Diocese of Jefferson City, deceased (1989);
John Degnan, Diocese of Jefferson City, deceased (2010);
Brendan Doyle, Diocese of Jefferson City, removed from ministry;
Thomas Duggan, Diocese of Jefferson City, deceased (2009);
Stephan Faletti, Diocese of Jefferson City, deceased (2017);
John Fischer, Diocese of Jefferson City, removed from ministry;
Gerald Howard/Carmen Sita, Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, imprisoned;
John Long, Diocese of Jefferson City, removed from ministry;
Patrick McMyler, Diocese of Jefferson City, deceased (1985);
James McNally, Diocese of Jefferson City, laicized which means removing their rights to exercise functions of an ordained minister;
James Mohan, Diocese of Jefferson City, deceased (1990);
Silas Musholt, Franciscan Friars, deceased (1999);
Anthony O'Connell, Diocese of Jefferson City, deceased (2012);
Johns Pender, Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania, deceased (2009);
Gary Pool, Diocese of Jefferson City, laicized which means removing their rights to exercise functions of an ordained minister;
Johns Schutty, Diocese of Jefferson City, removed from ministry;
Robert Scobee, Diocese of Jefferson City, deceased (1979);
Thomas Seifner, Diocese of Jefferson City, removed from ministry;
Sean Smyth, Diocese of Jefferson City, deceased (1990);
Timothy Tatro, Diocese of Jefferson City, removed from ministry;
David Wallace, Diocese of Jefferson City, removed from ministry;
Frank Westhoff, Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, deceased (2006);
John Whiteley, Diocese of Jefferson City, removed from ministry;
Bro. Dominic Nixon, Presentation Brothers, removed from ministry in the diocese;
Bro. Eric Lucas, Presentation Brothers, removed from ministry in the diocese;
Bro. Jude Collins, Presentation Brothers, deceased (2000);
Clergy who have served in the Diocese of Jefferson City found by the bishop to be unsuitable for ministry out of concern for the safety of our youth:
David Buescher, Diocese of Jefferson City, deceased (2013);
Robert Duesdieker, Diocese of Jefferson City, removed from ministry;
Deusdedit Mulokozi, Society of the Precious Blood, expelled from the diocese;
Eric Schlachter, Diocese of Jefferson City, removed from ministry.
"As of today, there has not ever been a credible accusation of sexual abuse of a minor against any clergy or religious now serving in the Diocese of Jefferson City," Bishop McKnight said. "Today there can be no secrets in our diocese. I pledge to put the care of victims, their loved ones and their communities first and foremost."
The diocese has spent $4.7 million since July 1, 2003, on expenses related to the cases, in addition to an estimated $1.5 million from its founding in 1956 to June 30, 2003. The funds have been provided by donors "who understand our preferential option for survivors of abuse," Bishop McKnight said, along with funds from the sale of the diocesan minor seminary, the diocese's fund for infirm priests, other dioceses and religious orders, and insurance.