Peter Isely, a founder of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, said he's glad the diocese released names but criticized the bishop for failing to take questions. Isely also noted the firm that conducted the review isn't releasing information about the process that led to the list. In May, Pope Francis issued a universal church law making it mandatory for all Catholic leaders to report cases of clerical sex abuse - including those committed by bishops and cardinals, a key provision. La Crosse's announcement comes at a time of heightened scrutiny for the Catholic church over clergy abuse, and as survivor advocates in Wisconsin demand greater accountability beyond diocesan investigations. The letter also notes that the list will remain public and names will be added as claims are sufficiently confirmed. “I realize that our promise of continued prayer and support may not seem to be enough for your pain, suffering and anguish will always be a part of you,” the bishop wrote in the letter. In a letter and video posted to the diocese website, the bishop told viewers the disclosure is an important step for the diocese and offered prayers to victims and their families. Callahan did not make himself available for reporter interviews Saturday. Parish leaders across the diocese also were instructed to read a letter from La Crosse Bishop William Patrick Callahan during Masses this weekend. Most of the priests are now dead, and the diocese said none of the surviving abusers is serving in the ministry. In addition to the 25 names, the diocese released the service history for each priest including ordination date, pastoral assignments and their current status, including dates of death. The list also included five priests who spent time in the diocese and whose names appeared on other Catholic diocese and religious order lists of suspected abusers: Dennis Bouche, Daniel Budzynski, Orville Munie, Joseph Smetana and Francis Zimmerer. The diocese also named two priests who were part of other Catholic orders but were accused of abuse while serving in the La Crosse diocese: Timothy Svea and Bogdan Werra. Mason, Garland Muller, Charles Rasmussen, Albert Sonnberger, James Stauber, Patrick Umberger and Raymond J. The list included 18 clergy members who were part of the La Crosse diocese:īruce Ball, Raymond Bornbach, Eugene Comiskey, Thomas Dempsey, James Ennis, James Finucan, John Thomas Finucan, Tom Garthwaite, Richard Herrmann, William Hertzenberg, Thomas Langer, James E. The list was published after an audit of the diocese clergy files dating back to 1868 by the Texas-based firm Defenbaugh & Associates Inc. The La Crosse diocese serves nearly 200,000 Catholics in counties across central and western Wisconsin, including those in Marathon, Portage and Wood counties. on the diocese website at , brings the total number of Catholic priests with substantiated accusations of sexual abuse in Wisconsin to nearly 160. LA CROSSE - At least 25 priests who served in the Diocese of La Crosse over the past several decades sexually assaulted children, the diocese disclosed Saturday.
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