Diocese of Erie names priests accused of abuse

Friday, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie announced changes to their Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth. 

The diocese says it’s new policy focuses on three new components. The first is expanding definition of abuse and threshold evidence. The second is the expansion of the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth. Lastly, the diocese wants the entire policy to be more transparent by posting it online. You can see it here. 

Along with the policy change, a list of 34 priests and 17 lay people who have faced credible accusations of sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior was released. Also, three other names were released who are currently under investigation. 

The individuals on this list are believed to be alive and living in the locations noted:

• 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
   
• Andre 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 J. 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 (née 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. (née Geitner) Myers (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 

Those that have died:

• 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 his 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 (records incomplete from relevant time periods)
   
• Former Fr. William F. Presley
  Dismissed from the clergy
   
• Fr. John P. Schanz 
  Forbidden to function as a priest
   
• Fr. Charles A. Sheets, Jr.
  Forbidden to function as a priest
   
• Bishop Alfred M. Watson
  Bishop of Erie (failed to act to stop abuse which was credibly reported to him)

Three individuals are currently under investigation by law enforcement (and each is 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)