COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A Roman Catholic diocese based in Ohio's capital city has made public the names of 34 priests it says have been credibly accused of sexually abusing minors.
The Diocese of Columbus said it reviewed the files of nearly 2,000 clergy who served in the diocese since its formation in 1868.
The list includes allegations investigated while priests were still living, after they had died, and whether the abuse happened inside or outside the diocese:
Clergy incardinated in the Diocese of Columbus against whom a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor within the Diocese was made and investigated while the clergy was living.
- Fr. Ronald Atwood, Deceased
- Fr. Thomas Brosmer, Removed from ministry
- Fr. R. Michael Ellifritz, Laicized
- Fr. Roger Emmert, Deceased
- Msgr. Joseph Fete, Laicized
- Fr. Michael Hanrahan, Laicized, deceased
- Dcn. James Hutson, Deceased
- Fr. Philip Jacobs, Laicized
- Fr. Raymond Lavelle, Deceased
- Fr. Frederick Loyd, Laicized
- Fr. Robert Luchi, Left ministry
- Fr. Bernard McClory, Deceased
- Fr. Thomas McLaughlin, Laicized, deceased
- Fr. Samuel Ritchey, Laicized, deceased
- Fr. Francis Schaefer, Deceased
- Fr. George Tumeo, Laicized
- Fr. Martin Weithman, Laicized
Clergy incardinated in the Diocese of Columbus against whom a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor within the Diocese was made after the clergy’s death.
- Msgr. Harry Estadt, Deceased
- Fr. John Geiger, Deceased
- Fr. Louis Hoffman, Deceased
- Fr. Robert Schmidt, Deceased
- Fr. Ted Spires, Laicized, deceased
- Fr. Alan Sprenger, Deceased
- Fr. John Tague, Deceased
Clergy incardinated in the Diocese of Columbus against whom a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor at a location outside the Diocese was made and investigated while the cleric was living.
- Fr. Carl Drake, Removed from ministry
Extern or religious clergy (clergy from other dioceses or religious orders) who served in the Diocese of Columbus who were credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors (alleged conduct occurred in the Diocese of Columbus).
- Fr. Hector Bellinato, PIME, No longer in Diocese
- Fr. David Heimann, Deceased
- Dcn. Gabriel Hernandez, Dismissed from the Josephinum, laicized
- Fr. Robert Hunt, C.PP.S., Deceased
- Fr. Timothy Keane, SS.CC., No longer in ministry
Extern or religious clergy who served in the Diocese of Columbus that were credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors elsewhere (alleged conduct occurred outside the Diocese of Columbus).
- Fr. Pierre Albalaa, MSM, Removed from ministry
- Fr. Frank Benham, Left ministry
- Fr. Aaron J. Cote, OP, Deceased
- Fr. Kenneth France-Kelly, OP, Deceased
The diocese also included the name of a 35th priest (Msgr. Thomas Bennett) whose alleged abuse is outlined in lawsuits but has yet to be confirmed by religious authorities.
The Cleveland, Steubenville and Youngstown dioceses have released names of credibly accused priests.
