Erie Catholic Diocese Adds New Names to List of Clergy, Laypersons Credibly Accused of Sexual Abuse
The Erie Catholic Diocese Wednesday released an update to the list of clergy and laypersons who are credibly accused of actions that the Diocese believes disqualifies them from working with children.
The new names include Father William A. Rice, who is retired and living in Fryburg, Pa. The Diocese of Erie said it has received sexual harassment allegations concerning Father Rice involving both children and adults.
New names added to the list (living)
Charles R. Cooper — Lanexa, Virginia Former lay teacher
New names added to the list (deceased)
Father G. Matthew Daly Was able to function (abuse reported after his death)
Msgr. James Hopkins Was able to function (abuse reported after his death)
Msgr. Louis Lorei Believed to have died restricted from ministry (records unclear as to final status)
Vincent “Vance” Valentine Former lay school employee
New names under investigation
Fr. William A. Rice—retired, Fryburg, Pennsylvania
Jonathan Borkowski — Fairview, Pennsylvania
EARLIER NAMES
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
Update to name already on the list:
• Philip J. Pochatko - location updated to Erie, Pennsylvania
Update to name on the list of those under investigation:
• John (Jack) Tome – location updated to Lancaster, Pennsylvania
New names added to the list (living)
• Randolph A. Byrd — Crozet, Virginia Former lay school teacher
• Former Fr. Barry M. Hudock — Albany, Minnesota Laicized
• Former Fr. Patrick B. Vallimont - Union City, Pennsylvania Laicized
New names added to the list (deceased)
• Fr. Kevin E. Cray, SDS Was able to function (abuse reported after death)
• Fr. Fidelis G. Lazar, OSB No longer in ministry
• Fr. Andrew W. Pawlaczyk Was able to function (abuse reported after death)
New category added:
Awaiting trial
• Fr. David Poulson Forbidden to function as a priest
