Vermont Catholic Diocese Priest Sexual Abuse List [46 Perps]

List Of Accused Priests In Vermont

The Roman Catholic Church in Vermont has been heavily infiltrated with clergy sexual offense cases over the years. This grave issue in the Burlington Diocese highlights a pattern of abuse and misconduct that has scarred both individuals and the community. As experts in trial law, our team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers advocates for the victims and seeks justice on their behalf. We understand the intricacies involved in clergy sexual assault and provide our clients the restitution they deserve.

Last Name	First Name	Diocese	Status	Accusations (Summary)
Bresnehan	Paul M.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Monsignor. Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19 (misspelled Bresnahan). Retired 5/15/02. Died 7/23/03.
Bessette	Conrad	Diocese of Burlington VT	Sued	Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/19. Worked in Barre, Springfield, St. Albans, Rutland, Burlington, Newport, Graniteville and Milton. Removed in 1990. Public faculties removed in 2004. Laicized in 2011. On the diocese’s list 8/22/19.
Baffa	Robert J.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 8/22/19. Faculties withdrawn and retired 6/19/02. Died 3/23/13 in Norristown, PA.
Bruneau	Donald A.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Died 6/2/94.
Beauregard	James E.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Retired 1/11/02 for health reasons. Faculties revoked 9/11/03. Died 7/28/15.
Campbell	James J.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly by the diocese as credibly accused on its list 8/22/19, suspended in 1965, married in 1968.
Dussault	Joseph H.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Settled	Civil suit against Dussault was revealed in 1/13, with claims of misconduct with an altar boy 1963-1967 while serving in Derby Line, along the Canadian border. Dussault retired in 1978 and died 12/11/87. Suit settled 1/13.
Carlin	Roger W.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Settled	Carlin was named publicly in 7/21 as accused of sexually abusing an altar boy in 1966-67.
Devoy	Robert E.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	A priest from Quebec, Canada, was named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese in 1996.
Dunn	James	Diocese of Burlington VT	Sued	James Dunn, s.P. (Servants of the Paraclete) was accused of abuse and was age 76 in 2006. He disappeared from the index after 1969.
Foley	James F.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Retired 1984. Died 11/27/02.
Eastman	John F.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Suspended in 8/53, sent to Jemez Springs, NM 1953-55. Transferred to Diocese of Monterey-Fresno CA 1955-67. Appealed to return to Burlington, denied in 1989.
Foster	Edward C.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Faculties revoked 5/11/94. Retired 6/22/94. Died 4/14/00.
Gallagher	William P.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Placed on leave 5/22/02, then resigned. Retired 6/19/02. Died 10/13/03.
Gelineau	Edward J.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Parish priest, Catholic Charities director 1957-66. Retired in 1990. Died 6/18/10, age 95.
Guichard	John A.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Retired 1991, continued campus ministry work at St. Joseph’s College in Rutland. Died 5/15/07.
Kenney	John B.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Settled	Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese in 2006, removed from ministry in 2006.
Gelineau	Louis E.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Gelineau was accused of taking an 11 or 12-year-old boy off by himself and pulling his fly down in 1951. He also denied having any sexual contact with an altar boy in 1993.
Lanoue	John A.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Sued	A lawsuit was filed in 1997 against Rev. Francis Moriarity and St. Michael’s College, claiming that in 1955 Lanoue abused a boy who attended Holy Family Parish in Essex Junction.
McShane	James J.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Settled	Boy Scouts chaplain, diocesan youth director, and chaplain at Camp Holy Cross. Accused of abuse of several youths, including at least one at the camp.
Madden	Michael K.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Convicted	Faculties revoked, resigned as pastor, convicted of lewd conduct, served two years in prison, died in 2000, and was listed as credibly accused by the diocese.
Miller	Walter D.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Held prominent positions in the diocese, including Chancellor. Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Resigned and retired 12/17/04, faculties revoked 1/7/05. Died 1/2/14.
Milanese	John	Diocese of Burlington VT	Reinstated	Placed on leave in 2002 after an allegation of abuse, Milanese passed a polygraph test and was returned to active ministry.
Mead	Brian E.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Settled	Bishop Angell Mead was first named publicly as accused in 10/18 by a news outlet. He was placed on leave in 5/02, resigned in 1/03 and had his faculties revoked in 12/04.
Mooney	Joseph Maxime	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Retired 3/9/56. Died 12/31/65.
Murtagh	George O.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Listed as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 10/18/19. Resigned as pastor 10/4/97.
Jr.	Edward O. Paquette,	Diocese of Burlington VT	Settled	Ordained for Fall River, faculties removed 1963, serial abuser of boys, sent to treatment in IN, worked in Fort Wayne-South Bend diocese, accepted into Burlington diocese, sent to treatment 1974 and ’78, faculties removed 1978, laicization announced 5/09, 19 of 26 cases settled.
Nichols	Stephen J.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Convicted	Nichols was charged with sexually molestation of a male teen and was sentenced to 30 days jail and two years probation.
Plouffe	Paul I.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly by the Edmundite order on its list 8/7/2019. Allegation received in 2006 of abuse in VT in 1946. Plouffe died 8/22/2004.
A.	Soutiere Ronald	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Resigned as pastor of St. Ann’s in 4/02, placed on administrative leave in 6/02. Faculties revoked 11/2/04.
Savary	Emile W.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Died 6/8/66. Diocese notes allegation of abuse first received in 1996.
Paulin	George A.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Settled	Suspended and faculties revoked 5/25/2002. Sued, reported to the Burlington Diocese in 1987, resigned as pastor 1/1/2003, found playing organ for two other churches, settled with second plaintiff in 4/2007 for $135K.
	Claire	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Accused of abuse of a girl at St. Joseph’s Orphanage 1958-64. Deceased. Judge dismissed lawsuit in 1998, stating that the institution cannot be held responsible for acts without evidence that they knew.
Provost	Raymond C.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. It notes that Provost retired for health reasons 11/28/75, continued some parish work until about 1995. Died 8/13/98. Allegation received in 2005.
Roberts	Daniel F.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	A woman told a news outlet that Roberts sexually assaulted her at age 10 in 1949, at St. Anthony’s in White River Junction. Roberts was transferred, and worked in a number of parishes and schools.
Rouelle	Forrest W.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Rouelle’s name is mentioned in the 8/08 trial against Burlington Diocese and Fr. Edward Paquette.
Soutiere	Ronald A.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	The diocese named him publicly as credibly accused on its list 8/22/19, and revoked his faculties on 11/2/04.
Stapleton	Edward J.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the Edmundite order on its list 8/7/19. Allegation received in 2004 of abuse in VT in 1974. Stapleton died 7/14/83, age 63.
Stankiewicz	John A.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Accusations of abuse were quietly made public by the Edmundites on their website. The order paid for the victims’ counseling.
Towne	Charles A.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Retired 1972. Died 2/15/82.
Thompson	Richard E.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Suspended 8/1/84. Died 9/23/06 in South Yarmouth, MA.
Trahan	Aime J.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the Edmundite order on its list 8/7/19. Allegation received in 2004 of abuse of a minor in VT in the 1950s. Trahan died 8/14/84.
Walsh	Raymond D.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 8/22/19. Retired 6/98. Died 6/24/19.
Ward	Donal D.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Accused	Ward was placed on leave after being identified as active priest with past accusations of abuse of minor. He resigned from parish but denied grooming and said the youth had been sexually active for several years before the relationship.
Willis	Alfred	Diocese of Burlington VT	Settled	Willis was accused of molestation by parishioners in 1978, transferred twice more, placed on leave 1980, sent to Paracletes in NM for treatment, laicized 1985, and sued in 2003. He settled one case in 2004 for $170K.
Wysolmerski	Benjamin D.	Diocese of Burlington VT	Settled	Accused of abuse of at least two girls, one of whom settled for an undisclosed sum in 1997. Resigned 6/15/93, faculties revoked 6/17/93, died 10/11/94.

About Clergy Sexual Abuse

Clergy sexual exploitation is the violation of the sacred trust by clergy members through sexual harassment of the congregants. Addressing this abuse requires a multifaceted approach, including legal action, local law enforcement, and changes within the Diocese of Burlington to prevent future abuse. We at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are dedicated to supporting survivors, from filing a complaint to advocating for our clients in court.

Legal Support for Survivors in Vermont

Backed with 25 years of experience in the legal system, Rosenfeld Injury lawyers work tirelessly to offer compassionate guidance and advocate for our client’s rights. We provide the following:

Free Consultations

Our consultations are free and confidential because we realize how hard it is for clients to talk about such sensitive and traumatic experiences.

Legal Representation

With detailed inquiries and witness testimonies, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers passionately represent you in court and handle all legal documents.

Compassionate Approach

Our empathic approach towards sexual abuse survivors is just one step towards healing as we offer resources and local connections with therapists and support groups.

Laws and Regulations in Vermont

Recent legislative changes have allowed congregants to pursue justice through a trial system, holding the church accountable. A few essential laws are as follows:

Statutes of Limitations

The latest legislative amendments in Vermont have eliminated the statute of limitation, thus enabling survivors to file a case of child sex abuse even decades after it happened.

Mandatory Reporting Laws

All healthcare workers, school teachers, social workers, and clergy members are mandated reporters in Vermont. Any clergy member who has witnessed child abuse or has any reason to believe a credible allegation should report it to the concerned authorities.

Recent Legislative Changes for Sexual Abuse Allegations

Recent legislative changes like H.330 eliminate the time limit for reporting sexual offenses. Vermont introduced the concept of a ‘lookback window,’ allowing survivors to bring up neglected and expired cases in courts.

Filing a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against Vermont’s Catholic Church

While it may seem daunting, filing a lawsuit with Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will take the burden off your shoulders. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to initiate a clergy sexual offense lawsuit in Vermont:

1. Inquiries and Consultation: As soon as the client reaches out to us, our team holds a detailed meeting to discuss the viability of your claims and the best legal strategies tailored to your case.
2. Case Evaluation: We then conduct meticulous investigations to gather as much evidence as possible.
3. Filing A Complaint: Once the case is prepared, a formal complaint is written to the court of Vermont, outlining the details of the abuse, the perpetrator, and additional information.
4. Pre-Trials: As the lawsuit is initiated, the specific clergy member involved is notified and must respond within the due time for pre-trials.
5. Settlements: Our skilled negotiators work diligently to secure fair compensation for the emotional and physical damages you have endured.
6. Trials: If the negotiations outside court fail, the case proceeds to a trial. Our lawyers advocate for you with witnesses, evidence, and concrete arguments.
7. Verdict: Based on the arguments of both sides, the jury delivers a verdict outlining compensations for the survivor.

Support Resources for Survivors in Vermont

Vermont has fostered a supportive community for the healing of the survivors. If you or a loved one has faced clergy sexual and physical abuse, these organizations can be of help to you.

Counselling Services

The Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services and Hope Works in Burlington provides crisis counseling and long-term therapy for survivors of sexual violence.

Support Groups

Support groups like HOPE Works, Catholic Whistleblowers, Faith Trust Institute, Finally Speak Out Now, and The Healing Group offer a safe space for sharing experiences with similar survivors.

Crisis Hotlines

The Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence operates a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-489-7273. The nationwide helpline (RAINN) at 1-800-656-4673 provides confidential support to victims of sex abuse.

Sexual Abuse Cases and Outcomes Against the Roman Catholic Diocese

Under the supervision of Bishop Christopher Coyne, The Vermont Diocese released the names of 40 priests with credible sexual misconduct allegations with a minor since 1950. Files and complaints against priests were reviewed and double-checked before releasing the final report listing the name, date, and abuse details of all priests directly or indirectly involved in child sexual abuse.

Of the 40 priests who are accused of abuse, some were criminally charged, while others faced civil lawsuits. Several resolved their clergy abuse cases without going to court. Since 2004, the Roman Catholic Diocese has paid over 20 million dollars as compensation to the sexually assaulted survivors of clerical abuse. A few of these cases are:

• In April 2004, the Diocese of Burlington settled a case for $170,000 involving a former student who Rev. Alfred Willis at St. Ann Catholic Church molested.
• In October 2009, a jury awarded $2.2 million to a former altar boy who claimed Rev. Edward Paquette sexually abused him at least 20 times at Christ the King Church.
• In May 2010, the Catholic Diocese of Burlington agreed to a $20 million settlement to resolve 26 lawsuits of credibly accused priests abusing children.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers?

Choosing Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers means partnering with a team with over 25 years of experience handling sensitive cases. Vermont’s groundbreaking law eliminates the statute of limitation, so we encourage survivors to file criminal charges against their abusers no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, every individual is treated with utmost respect. Adhering to the highest ethical standards, our team of lawyers possesses extensive knowledge and expertise about legal precedents. Our strong connections and proven track record help us win cases and achieve favorable results for our clients.

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