Erie Catholic Diocese released a list of all priests and laypersons credibly accused of sexual abuse during a news conference Friday morning.

The list includes 34 priest, 20 of whom are deceased, and 17 laypersons, two of whom are dead.

The list includes the names of people who have been credibly accused of actions ranging from furnishing pornography to minors to direct, sexual assault of minors. The Diocese said it believes these actions disqualify them from working with children and youth.

The Diocese said the first goal of releasing the list is to protect children and make the public aware for its own well-being because it is not possible to monitor everyone listed.

"Some are concerned that publicizing these names will open old wounds," said Bishop Lawrence Persico of the Erie Catholic Diocese. "Very importantly, we are actually publishing the names in the hope of helping the victims/survivors move one step closer to healing those same wounds. It is important they know they are not alone."

Believed to be alive

  • Former Fr. Michael J. Amy – Niceville, Florida
    • Laicized (removed from ministry and later voluntarily resigned from the clergy).
  • Fr. Michael G. Barletta – Erie, Pennsylvania
    • Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • Fr. Robert F. Bower – Edinboro, Pennsylvania
    • Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • Andrea C. Butler – Rosedale, New York
    • Former lay agency employee.
  • Former Fr. Dennis C. Chludzinski – Erie, Pennsylvania
    • Laicized.
  • Megan E. Fecko – Cleveland, Ohio
    • Former lay teacher.
  • Kevin Feyas – Erie, Pennsylvania
    • Former lay teacher and parish musician.
  • Former Fr. Chester J. Gawronski -  Sahuarita, Arizona
    • Dismissed from the clergy.
  • Timothy G. Hanson, Sr. – North East, Pennsylvania
    • Layman prohibited from volunteer work or entering school property.
  • Fr. Stephen E. Jeselnick – Colorado Springs, Colorado
    • Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • Former Fr. Gary L. Ketcham – Erie, Pennsylvania
    • Laicized.
  • Fr. Thaddeus T. Kondzielski - Waterford, Pennsylvania
    • Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • Kevin S. Kulhanek – Erie, Pennsylvania
    • Former lay School volunteer.
  • Fr. Salvatore P. Luzzi – Bradford, Pennsylvania
    • Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • Eve Minter (nèe Spangler) – Henrico, Virginia
    • Former lay teacher.
  • David Montgomery – Otisville, New York
    • In federal prison until 2041. Former lay teacher.
  • Fr. Leon T. Muroski – Erie, Pennsylvania
    • Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • Denise J. (nèe Geitner) Myer (Meyer) – Greensburg, Pennsylvania
    • Former lay teacher.
  • Hattie B. Nichols – Erie, Pennsylvania
    • Former lay agency employee.
  • Philip J. Pochatko - Subiaco, Arkansas
    • Former lay school teacher
  • Brian J. Radachy - Elkton, Ohio
    • In federal prison until 2024. Former lay school teacher.
  • Former Fr. Samuel B. Slocum - Bradford, Pennsylvania
    • Dismissed from the clergy
  • Former Fr. Thomas E. Smith - Erie, Pennsylvania
    • Dismissed from the clergy
  • Fr. Daniel J. Taylor - Tucson, Arizona
    • Forbidden to function as a priest
  • Ron Thomsen - Erie, Pennsylvania
    • Former lay volunteer
  • Dennis E. Vickery - Erie, Pennsylvania
    • Former lay teacher
  • Joseph M. Votino - Masury, Ohio
    • Former lay teacher/coach
  • Craig T. Ward - Erie, Pennsylvania
    • Former lay agency employee

Deceased

  • Fr. Donald C. Bolton, CSsR - Forbidden to function as a priest
  • Fr. Edmund S. Borycz, OFM - Forbidden to function as a priest
  • Msgr. Bonaventure M. Ciufoli - Returned to Italy
  • Fr. Donald J. Cooper - Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • William (Bill) Couse - Former lay school employee.
  • Fr. David V. Dobrowolski - Was able to function Abuse reported after his death.
  • William P. Garvey - Former lay teacher/coach. Later served as college president.
  • Fr. Herbert G. Gloekler - Was able to function. Abuse reported after this death.
  • Fr. Robert E. Hannon - Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • Fr. Joseph W. Jerge - Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • Fr. Edward W. Jungquist - Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • Fr. Thomas C. Kelley - Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • FR. Gerard (Gerald, Gerry) H. Krebs - Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • Fr. Jerry Kucan, OFM - Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • Msgr. Daniel Martin - Restricted from ministry. Abuse reported during retirement/physical-health-leave and later after death.
  • Msgr. Joseph F. Meisinger - Was able to function. Abuse reported after his death.
  • Fr. John L. Murray - Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • Fr. Giles L. Nealen, OSB - Was unable to function. Was already confined to infirmary when abuse was reported.
  • Fr. John A. Piatkowski - Believed to have died in 1970 with ability to function.
  • Former Fr. William F. Presley - Dismissed from the clergy.
  • Fr. John P. Schanz - Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • Fr. Charles A. Sheetz, Jr. - Forbidden to function as a priest.
  • Bishop Alfred M. Watson, Bishop of Erie - Failed to stop abuse which was credibly reported to him.

Three individuals are currently under investigation by law enforcement (presumed innocent unless proved otherwise)

  • Fr. Sean P. Kerins — Naples, Florida
  • Fr. David L. Poulson – Oil City, Pennsylvania
  • John (Jack) E. Tome — Location unknown; last known to be in Columbia, Maryland

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