Colorado Catholic Diocese Priest Sexual Abuse List [69 Perps]

List of Accused Priests in Colorado

The United States has a sexual abuse history in the Catholic Church. Numerous religious centers and organizations have been accused of abuse, with many including cases of child sex abuse. This history of sexual and physical abuse extends to all 50 states, including Colorado.

More than 50 Catholic Church priests have been accused of sexual abuse or misconduct in Colorado, affecting hundreds of children between the 1950s and 2020s.

Last Name	First Name	Diocese	Status	Accusations (Summary)
Bemunuge	Prosper	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Settled	Accused of engaging in “various sexual acts” during a counseling session in 1988. Out-of-court settlement reached with the female complainant in 1989. Bemunuge was originally from the Kandy diocese in Sri Lanka. He worked in the Indianapolis archdioces
Fraczkowski	Edward	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Named publicly as accused in the CO A.G. report 10/22/19. Allegations to the archdiocese in 2015 that Fraczkowski sexually abused a girl, ages 9-11, 1967-69 while he was pastor of St. Michael’s in Craig. He died in 1978.
Barry	Thomas Patrick	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Sued	A woman filed a suit against the Denver archdiocese for abuse by Barry in about 1970. He died in 2003 at age 97.
Banigan	Robert	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Named publicly as accused in the CO A.G. report 10/22/19. Allegedly groomed and sexually abused a 6-year-old altar boy in 1961. Died 5/6/86.
Abercrombie	Leonard A.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Settled	Letter 7/93 alleged abuse of boy 1953-57 from age 7 by Pope JP II, Stafford, and Mahony. At least 9 men alleged abuse.
Bosetti	Joseph J.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Monsignor. Accused of sexually abusing a boy, ages 16-17, while Chancellor and Cathedral Boys Choir Director.
Brown	Charles C.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Brown was named publicly as accused in the CO A.G.’s report 10/22/2019. He denied the allegations and was included on the Santa Fe archdiocese’s list 5/19/2021.
Calle	Rafael Jairo	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Calle, an extern priest from Ecuador, was named publicly as accused in the CO A.G. report 10/22/19 of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy in a car.
Clark	Mark A.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Central and Southern Province, left the order in 1989.
Carignan	Wilfred Laurent	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Convicted	Carignan, a monk-in-training who was not accepted into the order, was accused of molesting a youth while working as a beekeeper at St. Benedict’s Monastery.
Lazzer	Dorino De	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	A woman came forward to allege sexual misconduct by a retired priest in the early 1970s. He denied the charges.
Evans	Timothy Joseph	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Convicted	Pastor charged with sexual abuse of three teenage boys, removed from active ministry, found guilty in two trials, sentenced to 14 years to life in prison, laicized, granted parole in 7/20, and denied parole in 12/19.
Colucci	Bennett	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	A woman reported to the Capuchin Franciscans that Colucci sexually abused her in the 1980s, and the Archdiocese of Denver was investigating. Colucci retired in 2005, and was living in Victoria KS at least until 2014.
Funk	Kenneth Q.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Funk was named publicly as credibly accused of sexually abusing an altar boy in 1959 and 1962.
Gourley	Marshall	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Sued	A civil suit was filed in 1997 against Gourley for sexually abusing a teenage boy at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. The case was dismissed in 1998 due to the statute of limitations.
Hewitt	Neil C.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Hewitt abused multiple boys, including a deaf boy, and was laicized in 2018 after acknowledging he did things that were “wrong” involving “around eight, maybe nine boys”. He was a seminarian at Camp St. Malo in 1958, where a deaf boy disappeared and was later found dead.
Hiester	Richard	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Monsignor Hiester, a parish priest, was accused of sexually abusing an altar boy, age 6, in the 1970s. Two other priests are also accused of sexually abusing the boy over a 10-year period.
Kelleher	Daniel	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	The CO AG named Kelleher publicly as credibly accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl in 1962.
Holloway	John V.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	The CO Attorney General’s report named Holloway publicly as accused of grooming and raping six boys 1962-82, and strongly criticized the archdiocese’s response to the victims in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Kurtz	Richard James	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Convicted	Arrested in Chicago on charges of sexually assaulting a boy, age 10, in 2001. Pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2012, and was incarcerated in federal prison since 2014 on charges of production, transportation, and possession of child porn.
Lemieux	Delisle	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Lemieux was named publicly as accused in the CO Attorney General’s report 10/22/19. He allegedly raped a 13-year-old altar boy.
McGinn	John J.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	McGinn was accused of sexual abuse in 1994, but was kept in ministry.
Matson	Mark N.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Convicted	Matson was convicted of sexual assault on a 13-year-old boy in 2000 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Another man came forward in 2005 to allege abuse in 1982, and a new civil suit was filed in 2010 claiming abuse in a CO seminary in 1976.
Martinez	William	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Martinez was publicly accused of sexually abusing a 17-year-old boy in Colorado Springs, and was placed on leave, faculties removed, sent to treatment, and resigned from ministry in 1996. He was later laicized.
Murphy	Edward P.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Central and Southern Province on its list 12/7/18. Died in 1975. Allegation received after his death of abuse occurring in the 1940s-1950s.
Moreno	James S.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Sued	Moreno was named publicly in the CO Attorney General’s report in 12/2020 as having abused a boy, ages 15-17, many times during 1978-1980. He admitted to the abuse, and was laicized in late 2019.
O’Liddy	Patrick Henry	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Convicted	O’Liddy pleaded guilty to sending a lewd photo of himself to a 14-year-old girl over the Internet. He was sentenced to 10 years probation and 200 hours of community service.
Nadal	J. Bart	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Nadal, 67, was acquitted of molestation charges against two young sisters, ages 7 and 8, in 1989. He held prominent positions, including rector of St. Andrew’s Seminary in Denver.
O’Brien	Michael J.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Reinstated	O’Brien was placed on leave in 9/2021 after the Archdiocese received a report that he abused an altar boy. A civil trial was cancelled in 7/2023 after the Archdiocese’s investigation concluded that the allegations were “baseless”.
Rasby	James W.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Monsignor Rasby, rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, was named as accused in the CO A.G.’s report released 10/23/19. He denied kissing a 16-year-old boy on the lips, and was kept as pastor.
Pettit	Francis A.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	In 1989, a priest received a report that Pettit had sexually abused a girl. He died in 1987.
Scezney	Leonard	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	In 1985, Scezney allegedly sexually abused a 16-year-old girl at the parish youth group where he was assigned. His faculties were removed by the archdiocese in 1992.
Smith	Gregory	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Settled	Monsignor Smith was named publicly as credibly accused in the CO AG’s supplemental report released 12/1/20. He sexually abused a boy over 1,000 times during 1971-76.
Schmitt	John Harley	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Monsignor Schmitt was named publicly as accused in the CO A.G.’s report 10/22/19. A woman told the archdiocese that Schmitt sexually abused her when she was 8-9 years old, but the archdiocese’s Conduct Response Team deemed the allegation not credible.
Peter	Lawrence H. St.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Settled	Monsignor St. Peter abused children from the 1960s through the 1990s, including rape, and was killed in 2003. A man stated publicly that St. Peter sexually abused him for years, leading to rape age 8 twice in 1982.
Stein	John Francis	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Convicted	Accusation that Stein sexually abused a boy hundreds of times over a three-year period at St. Catherine of Siena parish in Iliff, beginning in 1953 when the boy was age 10. Claim settled 9/96 with strict confidentiality agreement.
Thompson	Melvin F.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Reinstated	Thompson was removed as parochial vicar at St. Thomas More in Centennial in 4/10 after recent allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor boy in the 1970s. He denied the allegations.
Weibel	George L.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Weibel was named as accused in the CO A.G.’s report released 10/23/19. A woman told a news outlet that Weibel groped her breasts over her swim suit when she was age 10 in 1959.
Woerth	Thomas	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	The archdiocese received an allegation that Woerth sexually abused a male high school student in 1971, ’72 and ’73. Woerth denied the allegation.
Woodrich	Charles B.	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Accused	Fr. Woody, a monsignor who founded a homeless shelter, abused three boys, ages 12-16, in the 1970s and ’80s, according to the CO A.G.’s supplemental report.
White	Harold Robert	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Settled	At least 30 men and women claimed abuse by White when they were children. The archdiocese allegedly knew about White’s behavior as early as the 1960s yet kept him in ministry.
Whipkey	Robert	Archdiocese of Denver CO	Sued	In 1998, Whipkey, as chaperone, shared a cabin with four sixth-grade boys and put shaving cream on their faces while naked. Pastor of St. Anthony’s in Sterling, Sacred Heart in Peetz, and St. Catherine in Iliff received therapy, then was reassigned to the Cathedral in Denver. Accused along with two other priests of sexually abusing a boy during 1979-1989. They threatened to kill the boy’s family if he told.
Beno	John R.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Accused	Named in the Colorado Attorney General’s report released 10/23/19, Beno was accused of the rape of a girl, age 5, in the 1961. He denied knowing her and the diocese paid her a settlement.
Blong	Delbert F.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Settled	Monsignor Blong was accused of molesting a boy beginning in 1971 and continuing for 22 years. He countersued, claiming the boy had given him AIDS.
Bonfadini	Leo	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Accused	Accused of sexually abusing a boy, age 17, while assigned to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Sent to St. Luke Institute for treatment, voluntarily relinquished his faculties, and denied raping the boy in 10/19.
Buetzler	Walter P.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Accused	From Germany, Buetzler was accused of sexually abusing an 11-year-old boy at St. Joseph’s in Monte Vista. He moved to Germany in 1968 and died in 1988.
Burke	Andrew A.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Settled	The diocese knew in at least 1968 that Burke had a “psychosexual disorder” and knew during Burke’s seminary years that he had a “problem”. A former altar boy came forward in 2004 and sued in 2005, claiming abuse by Burke when he was ages 11-13 in the early 1970s.
Chung	Meinrad Richard	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Sued	From Hawaii, Chung taught religion at St. Mary’s High School in Colorado Springs for four years, but died by suicide after being accused of inappropriate touching of a male student.
Casper	Bernard J.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Sued	Bernard Casper, a priest in the Diocese of Pueblo, CO, abused children for years. In 2002, two brothers accused Casper of molesting them, and in 2006 and 2009 the Pueblo diocese asked Casper to seek laicization; he refused, denying allegations.
DeScoise	Michael C.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Accused	DeScoise was accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy in 1986 or ’87, while assigned to St. Joseph’s in Grand Junction. His faculties were suspended in 2016 after he admitted to sexual activity with adult men.
Groves	William	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Convicted	Groves took in runaway Native American and Hispanic children and gave them drugs and alcohol. He was sentenced to 90 days jail and 4 years probation for the 1989 sex assault of a 14-year-old boy and left the priesthood.
Gleeson	William Thomas	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Accused	Gleeson was named publicly as accused in the CO A.G. report 10/22/19. He denied the allegation and was sent to counseling, kept in ministry, and died 2/7/18.
Galvan	Lucas A.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Convicted	Lucas Antonia Galvan Valdez, a Mexican priest, pled guilty to sexually fondling an 11-year-old girl in 1989 and was sentenced to a 1- or 2-year suspended jail sentence and deferred adjudication. He was allowed to work in other Mexico dioceses.
Kapushion	Marvin J.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Accused	Monsignor Kapushion was named as credibly accused by the CO A.G. of abusing a boy as a teen in 1984 at a Christmas party at the priest’s home.
Kennedy	Gary L.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Accused	The CO Attorney General’s report named Kennedy as accused of sexually abusing a boy, ages 13-15, during 1967-69. Kennedy retired in 2011 and was assisting at a Pueblo parish when accused.
Lee	Conan	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Accused	Lee was named publicly as accused by the Franciscans’ Santa Barbara Province on its list 5/31/2019. He died 8/3/1978.
Kurz	Michael	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Settled	Kurz was working in the Rockford diocese as Judicial Vicar of Diocesan Tribunal when accused of abuse at Christ the King Church in Pueblo, CO. The lawsuit was settled.
Maio	Daniel C.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Settled	Maio was accused of abuse of a 15-year-old boy in 1968-69 while he was Diocesan Youth Director, leading a “SEARCH” program, and assigned to St. Patrick’s.
Marin	Philip	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Accused	Named publicly as accused in the CO A.G. report 10/22/19, Marin is accused of sexually abusing a girl, age 5 or 6, in 1956 or ’57. He died in 1976.
Martin	John F.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Settled	A man reported to the diocese that Martin and another priest, Andrew Burke, sexually assaulted him in the early 1970s. The diocese did not investigate the allegations, nor did they report it to law enforcement.
O’Flaherty	John G.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Sued	Worked in OH, MO and CO. Named as abuser of one in amended civil complaint filed in Pueblo in 3/11. Died 06/19/87.
Mueller	William C.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Settled	Marianist brother, St. Louis Province, professed vows in 1957, worked in MO, TX, CO, left the Order in 1986, and was accused of drugging and sexually abusing at least 40 students in the 1960s-80s.
Norman	Clifford A.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Accused	In 1998, Norman was publicly named as accused of sexually abusing an altar boy. He denied the abuse and left the Pueblo diocese in 1975.
Reade	Joseph A.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Settled	The CO A.G.’s report named Reade as an accused sexual abuser, and the diocese settled with the alleged victim, who told investigators there may have been other victims. Reade denied the allegations, and died in 1990.
Repola	Gerald Duane	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Accused	A man reported to the IRRP that when he was 14-15 in 1967, Duane Repola sexually abused him. The report notes that the diocese knew he was “engaged in such behavior” and that he was moved between parishes, removed from ministry and placed on leave.
Sievers	Lawrence	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Accused	In 1969 Sievers was assigned to St. Joseph’s in Grand Junction and temporary chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital. A woman told a diocesan employee that Sievers sexually abused her.
Stelzner	Barnabus	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Sued	Sued in 1997. Stelzner and others were accused of sexual and physical abuse of 15-year-old boy at Holy Cross Abbey in 1982-83.
Trujillo	Carlos B.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Accused	A man reported to the IRRP that Trujillo sexually abused him at age 16-17 in 1978-79.
Walsh	Joseph J.	Diocese of Pueblo CO	Accused	Monsignor Walsh was named publicly as credibly accused by the CO A.G. in its supplemental report released 12/1/20. He allegedly sexually abused children at Sacred Heart Orphanage in the 1950s.

About Clergy Sexual Abuse

Clergy sexual abuse includes sexually abusing or exploiting a clergy member or child through misuse of power. Those sexually abused in the Catholic Church typically include children and vulnerable adults.

Reporting sexual abuse by Catholic priests and clergy members can be difficult, especially when the abuse began or occurred many decades ago. However, reporting clergy sexual abuse brings light to an important problem and sets the path for others to also come forward for healing.

Those abused by Colorado priests may be eligible for criminal and civil claims. The Colorado legal system is set up to help those sexually abused seek justice.

Legal Support for Survivors in Colorado

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has the expertise and experience needed to handle sensitive clergy sexual abuse lawsuits. We offer a free, confidential consultation, in-depth case investigation, and guidance as you navigate the state’s legal system. We’re committed to serving justice and tearing down the foundation of Catholic Church abuse.

Laws and Regulations in Colorado

Colorado laws aim to protect current and future members from being sexually assaulted in the church. They also aim to serve justice for those who have been the victim of abuse. Colorado law considers clergy sexual misconduct a Class 3 or Class 4 felony charge, which is subject to life in prison, requires registration on the Sex Offender Intensive Supervision Program, and fines up to $500,000.

Going forward, child sex abuse victims no longer have to follow a statute of limitations for abuse occurring after January 1, 2022. Criminally, prosecutors have 20 years from the child’s 18th birthday to bring sexual assault charges involving a child. A free consultation with a clergy sexual abuse lawyer is the best way to find out if your case is still within the state’s statute of limitations.

Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Colorado

A sexual abuse lawsuit allows Colorado victims and survivors to collect the compensation they’re entitled to. Filing a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit in Colorado involves the following steps:

1. Free Confidential Consultation – A free consultation with Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers allows victims to learn more about their legal options. With a free case review, there’s no obligation to you.
2. Case Investigation – During case investigation, your legal team will collect evidence and review the details of the case. Evidence may include witness reports, testimonies, personal recollections, or parish reports.
3. Review Offer – When credibly accused, some dioceses may be willing to offer a settlement to avoid additional publicity. Our legal team has the expertise and compassion necessary to review any offers you might receive and help you choose the best legal route.
4. Prepare for Trial – We’re also prepared to represent you in trial where you can bring light to the childhood sexual abuse that was present in many of Colorado’s churches.

Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today to explore your legal options or to file a clergy sexual abuse case.

Support Resources for Survivors in Colorado

Support services are crucial when overcoming sexual assault or abuse. Even in cases when victims were sexually abused decades ago, it can leave a lasting psychological impact on them and their families. There are many support resources available to Colorado survivors, including the following:

• Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA): CCASA maintains a collection of crisis centers throughout the state of Colorado.
• The Blue Bench: The Blue Bench serves and supports sexual abuse survivors in Metro Denver.
• Survivor Space: Survivor Space helps active Colorado Catholic Clergy abuse victims by connecting them to resources.
• Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP): The SNAP program is a support group specifically designed for men and women who were sexually abused by priests or church officials.

Legal support through Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can also be beneficial as you navigate Colorado’s legal system.

Notable Cases and Outcomes in Colorado

Millions of dollars have already been paid out in settlements to victims who were sexually abused in the Pueblo Diocese, Denver Archdiocese, or Colorado Springs Diocese. Catholic priests accused of sexual abuse undergo investigation and, if found guilty, may be subject to both criminal and civil charges.

In 2019, Colorado’s attorney general conducted an investigation into priest abuse, finding at least 43 priests with multiple alleged victims. In 2020, the Colorado attorney general’s office released nine additional accused priests in addition to the 43 already listed from 2019.

A history of alleged abuse and sexual misconduct can be found at many Colorado churches and religious organizations. The sexual assault allegations also extend beyond that of the Catholic Dioceses and include a Pueblo orphanage and homeless shelter. One of the most notable cases was Father Charles Woodrich, a Denver Archdiocese member known for supporting the homeless.

The attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have reviewed public and private settlement data related to Colorado clergy abuse settlements. Depending on the circumstances of your case, these cases may be fairly valued in the $400,000 to $950,000 range. In cases of extreme conduct or cases that go before a jury, damages could exceed $1 million.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers?

Criminal charges allow victims to inform law enforcement and serve criminal justice. Those convicted of sexually abusing children may also be required to register with the Colorado sex offender registry, also helping to prevent future cases of sexual abuse. Civil claims help victims recover compensation for the psychological and physical abuse they had to endure as a child.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to providing Colorado’s victims a compassionate yet justice-serving approach to clergy sexual abuse. A proven track record highlights our legal team’s experience in protecting victims and survivors of sexual abuse.

Contact a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today

Whether seeking justice from the Denver or Pueblo dioceses for covering up sexual abuse reports or a Catholic priest for sexual misconduct, our legal team has the experience you need when navigating this case type.

Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation at (888) 424-5757. We also have an easy, confidential online form for Colorado residents who prefer to have a clergy sexual abuse lawyer contact them.