I often tell people jokingly that I am a “Recovering Catholic” I grew up in the Catholic School System one of the best in the nation. I had many close relationships with the Priests and the Nuns, at no time was I ever abused sexually but they were more then willing to beat the living sunshine right out of me.
With my blog and my newspaper I get so many stories of people abused at Catholic Schools, and I have no doubt that these are real stories just by the physical reaction of those telling the stories.
This is not just a “Catholic Issue” every church seems to be rich with pedophiles and abusers who can hide behind the Bible because most church officials don’t want their reputation (MONEY) tarnished and so most abuse goes unreported. Pedophiles are well aware of this caveat and take full advantage of it.
I found a very interesting site that lists a very few of the perpetrators: everyone who entrusts their vulnerable children to a Catholic clergy person should read…
| O’Brien | John | B | Accused | Jesuit | Per statement released by Diocese of Spokane 11/07, O’Brien was named in accusation that was found to be credible or proven. He died in 1989. No further information on alleged abuse found. This may possibly be the Br. John O’Brien who taught latin at Gonzaga Prep in Spokane | Spokane, WA | Source: Statement by Diocese of Spokane 11.21.07; Diocese of Spokane List of Admitted, Proven or Credibly Accused Perpetrators of Sexual Abuse 11.03.09; Good Jesuit, Bad Jesuit 11.12.09 |
| O’Connor | Richard | P | Sued | Diocesan | Man filed lawsuit 1/07 alleging he was abused by O’Connor and another priest, Anthony King, in mid-1960s when he was a high school student. O’Connor was a priest and teacher at St. Peter the Apostle Seminary in Cowiche. Abuse by O’Connor occurred before the seminary was closed and students and priests were transferred to Seattle. O’Connor is deceased. Case settled 1/10 for $150K total. | Yakima, WA | Source: Yakima Herald-Republic 1.9.07; Yakima Herald-Republic 7.4.10; Yakima Herald-Republic 10.21.11; Yakima Herald Republic 01.15.13 |
| O’Donahue | unknown | P | Accused | CFC – Congregation of Christian Brothers | One of 7 brothers accused of abuse of 3 youths at Kent’s Briscoe Memorial School and/or O’Dea high school in civil suit filed 1/04. Abuse is said to have occurred between 1940s and 1960s. | Seattle, WA | Source: R.E. v.Cath Arch Seattle; King County, WA; #04-2-00112-9; Seattle Times 01.08.04 |
O’Donnell |
Patrick G. | 1971 | P | Settled | Diocesan | Removed 1985. Abused at least 65 boys in 1970s-1980s in Spokane & Seattle. Worked as a psychologist for teens in Bellevue after leaving active priesthood. Sanctioned in 1984 for abuse while a priest. Sanctions lifted 1986. License permanently removed 1/04. At least 2 victims committed suicide. Named in new suit filed 2/08 by 4. Admitted guilt and settled 11/08 for $5M but can’t pay. Two plaintiffs settled before 5/09 trial; Last 2 plaintiffs settled during trial. Settlements 5/12. | Spokane, WA | Source: Links to Articles; Diocese of Spokane List of Admitted, Proven or Credibly Accused Perpetrators of Sexual Abuse 11.03.09; Spokesman Review 01.03.10; Spokesman Review 01.20.10; Spokesman Review 01.21.10; Behavioral Health Central 01.28.10; Spokesman Review 03.12.10; Spokesman Review 10.28.10; Spokesman Review 05.26.12; Spokesman Review 10.10.12; SNAP Statement 09.20.14 Assignments: Detailed BA.org Assignment Record |
| O’Grady | Peter P. | 1933 | P | Sued | Jesuit | O’Grady served in parishes and schools in the dioceses of Seattle and Spokane WA, Great Falls and Helena MT, Boise City ID and Portland OR. Woman filed suit 1/04 alleging that she was sexually abused by O’Grady at Jesuit House in Spokane when she was 12. O’Grady was providing “supply work” to parishes in Spokane at that time. O’Grady died 06/16/93. Suit names Portland Province of the Jesuit Order as well as Bishop Syklstad. Settled 12/04. Diocese said allegations were proven or credible. | Spokane, WA | Source: Spokesman Review 01.24.04; Associated Press 12.03.04; Spokesman Review 12.04.04; Statement by Diocese of Spokane 11.21.07; Diocese of Spokane List of Admitted, Proven or Credibly Accused Perpetrators of Sexual Abuse 11.03.09; Good Jesuit, Bad Jesuit 11.12.09 Assignments: BA.org Assignment Record |
O’Malley |
James J. | 1946 | P | Settled | Diocesan | Allegations in late 1950s-early 1960s. Removed from active priesthood 1989. Retired in Ireland. One civil claim made 7/03 alleged that O’Malley abused a youth in 1981-1982 in Spokane valley. This claim was settled 9/03 for $50K. As many as 11 men filed 2004 civil suit. No privileges. Died 2007. | Spokane, WA | Source: Spokesman Review 10.24.02 (2nd); Spokesman Review 10.24.02; Spokesman Review 10.26.02; Spokesman Review 07.10.03; Spokesman Review 09.19.03; Seattle Times 09.21.03; Spokesman Review 01.21.04; KXLY 09.21.04; Spokesman Review 01.30.05; Spokesman Review 04.22.06; Spokesman Review 03.27.07; International Traffic in Priests Who Abuse 04.17.07; KXLY 04.22.07; Statement by Diocese of Spokane 11.21.07; Diocese of Spokane List of Admitted, Proven or Credibly Accused Perpetrators of Sexual Abuse 11.03.09 Assignments: Spokesman Review 10.24.02; Inland Register 11.14.02 |
O’Neill |
Patrick G. | 1953 | P | Sued | Diocesan | Native of Ireland. Sued 10/02 by woman who alleged he abused her for approximately 3 yrs when she attended St. Charles Borromeo school and church in Tacoma in early 1960s. She dropped the suit in 2003 after Seattle Archdiocese countersued her. O’Neill retired in 1999. May have moved to AZ. He denied the allegations. Review board was still reviewing case in 2002. O’Neill died in Ireland in 8/11. | Seattle, WA | Source: Seattle Times 11.27.02; Seattle Post-Intelligencer 04.24.03; Seattle Times 09.21.03; Kitsap Sun 08.26.11; SNAP Statement 08.31.11 |
| O’Sullivan | Brother | B | Sued | CFC – Congregation of Christian Brothers | In civil suit filed 8/26/10, one of three plaintiffs allege that he was abused by Br. O’Sullivan in 1963-1964 at Brisoe Memorial School. Same man also alleges that he was also assauted by Br. Croke at same school. | Seattle, WA | Source: JH et al v. Corp of Catholic Archbishop of Seattle et al, 10-2-30752-4SEA 08.26.10 |
| Obersinner | Joseph | 1957 | P | Settled | Jesuit | Accused of sexual abuse of at least one minor. Included on the Helena diocese’s list posted to its website 4/29/15 in compliance with the non monetary terms of the 3/5/15 bankruptcy settlement. Retired to Spokane’s Jesuit community at Gonzaga U. | Helena, MT | Source: Helena Diocese Bankruptcy Settlement 03.04.15; Diocese of Helena 04.29.15 Assignments: Diocese of Helena 04.29.15 |
| OBrien | Michael C. | 1965 | P | Accused | Diocesan | In 1993 a teenage boy complained that OBrien had sexually abused him during a 1991 canoe trip. OBrien was placed on leave and police notified. Police could not substantiate allegations and Archdiocese allowed him to return to work at the same parish. Hestayed there until 1999 when he was reassigned to a new parish. Placed on leave in 2004 when diocese reopened investigation. Returned to assignment within a month. Placed on leave for 3rd time 7/08 on allegations from 1960s. Laicized at own request 2/10. | Seattle, WA | Source: HeraldNet 7.8.08; KOMO 7.7.08; Seattle Post-Intelligencer 7.8.08; Seattle Times 7.7.08; Seattle-Post Intelligencer 7.7.08; The Columbian 04.26.04; Associated Press 05.30.04; Seattle Times 02.19.10 |
Oosterman |
Bernard “Benno” | 1956 | P | Sued | Diocesan | 3 brothers sued Diocese of Spokane in 2003 alleging they were abused by Oosterman between 1968 and 1975. Oosterman also subject of previous lawsuit by two victims which was settled by the diocese in 1993. Most of his career spent in Seattle but in 1978 he was released to Archdiocese of Anchorage. Resigned from ministry in 1980, married and moved to Texas. Allegations surfaced in Anchorage in 2004. | Spokane, WA | Source: Spokesman Review 5.5.07; Spokesman Review 10.24.02; Spokesman Review 10.24.02; Spokesman Review 05.16.03; News Tribune (AP) 05.20.03; Anchorage Daily News 02.14.04; Statement by Diocese of Spokane 11.21.07; Diocese of Spokane List of Admitted, Proven or Credibly Accused Perpetrators of Sexual Abuse 11.03.09 Assignments: Spokesman Review 10.24.02; Inland Register 11.14.02 |
SPACE
