In late September 2018, in response to the request of clergy abuse victims and their families, Bishop Joseph M. Siegel announced that the Diocese of Evansville would collect and release the names of priests who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. The Diocese’s hope is that the listing of these priests will help in the process of healing for those who have been affected by clergysexual abuse and help to keep minors safe.
Along with compiling the names that have been published in The Message in previous years, the Diocese contracted a private investigator (Mark C. Mabrey & Associates, Inc. of Evansville) to review records dating to its founding in 1944. The record review began in early October and ended in mid-December2018. In August 2018, the auditors that oversee diocesan compliance with the guidelines of the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People recommended the record review.
The following list of clergy is based on the review of records and the recommendations of current and previous Diocesan Review Board members. The current Review Board consists of six lay persons and one priest. Current and past members of the Board hold or have held positions in mental health counseling, clinical psychology, the practice of law, the medical field, and law enforcement, including specialty in areas of child physical and sexual abuse.
A credible claim is one for which, following a review of information, the Review Board determined as believable and plausible, and the Bishop accepted as credible; or the priest admitted to or acknowledged.
Finally, every allegation of child abuse must be reported to Child Protective Services, an agency of Indiana state government. Local law enforcement may also be contacted. In the event of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor (a person under 18) by any diocesan personnel, report the allegation to authorities, and inform the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the diocese (Toll-free: 866-200-3004; Local: 812-490-9565). Sexual abuse of a person who habitually has only the imperfect use of reason is to be considered equivalent to a minor.
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These diocesan priests have allegations determined to be credible of at least one act of sexual abuse of a minor or person who habitually has only the imperfect use of reason, which the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People considers equivalent to a minor: Michael Allen, John Breidenbach, Joseph Clauss, James Clements, Wilfred Englert, Mark Kurzendoerfer, Arthur Mergen, Othmar Schroeder, Richard Wildeman. A credible claim is one for which, following a review of available information, the Review Board determined as believable and plausible, and the Bishop accepted as credible; or the priest admitted to or acknowledged. Here are additional details:
Michael Allen
Year of birth: 1944
Date of priestly ordination: June 5, 1971
Number of credible allegations: 1; Admitted
Action taken: Not in public ministry, July 2002
Places Served:
Associate Pastor, Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Haubstadt, June 29, 1971
Summer Ministry Program Director, December 6, 1972
Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Princeton, June 14, 1974
Associate Pastor, St. John the Baptist Church, Vincennes, August 21, 1975
Teacher, Rivet High School, Vincennes, August 21, 1975
Administrator, St. Patrick, Corning, January 13, 1976
Administrator, All Saints, Cannelburg, January 13, 1976
Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, August 1, 1979
Associate Pastor, St. Simon Church, Washington, July 29, 1980
Pastor, St. Mary Church, Washington, August 10, 1981
Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, August 3, 1982
Military service, Assigned outside the diocese, September 21, 1984
Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, June 5, 1995
Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Evansville, March 3, 1999
Pastor, St. Theresa Church, Evansville, March 3, 1999
Pastor, St. Celestine Church, Celestine, June 27, 2001
Not in public ministry, July 2002
Date posted as part of this list: February 22, 2019
John Breidenbach
Year of birth: 1959
Date of priestly ordination: August 21, 1987
Number of credible allegations: 1; This diocesan priest admitted and self-disclosed sexual abuse of minors that occurred prior to his ordination as a deacon.
Action taken: Not in public ministry, March 14, 2014
Places served:
Associate Pastor, St. John the Baptist Church, Vincennes, September 4, 1987
Associate Pastor, Holy Family Church, Jasper, June 27, 1990
Diocesan Vocation Team, February 26, 1992
Associate Pastor, Resurrection Church, Evansville, September 23, 1992
Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Evansville, August 11, 1993
Pastor, Corpus Christi Church, Evansville, November 10, 1993
Sacramental Minister, Holy Trinity Church, Evansville, November 11, 1998
Associate Pastor, Holy Rosary Church, Evansville, August 18, 1999 with residence at Villa Maria on Lincoln Avenue next to Memorial High School
Associate Pastor, St. John Church, Newburgh, June 18, 2003
Pastor, Precious Blood Church, Jasper, June 9, 2004
Sacramental Minister, St. Mary Church, Ireland, January 27, 2010
Sacramental Minister, Resurrection Church, Evansville, May 28, 2010
Sacramental Minister, St. Theresa Church, Evansville, September 8, 2010
Not in public ministry, March 14, 2014
Date posted as part of this list: February 22, 2019
Joseph Clauss
Year of birth: 1930
Date of priestly ordination: May 26, 1956
Number of credible allegations: 10; Admitted to at least one allegation
Action taken: Removed from public ministry, July 6, 1992; deceased October 11, 2003
Places Served:
Associate Pastor, St. Mary Church, Washington, June 8, 1956
Associate Pastor, Holy Spirit Church, Evansville, August 18, 1959
Teacher, Memorial High School, Evansville, August 18, 1959
Residence at St. Joseph Church, Vanderburgh County, August 21, 1964
Residence at St. Boniface Church, Evansville, August 13, 1965
Residence at Good Shepherd Church, Evansville, February 19, 1966
Pastor, St. Patrick Church, Corning, August 18, 1966
Superintendent, St. John High School, Loogootee, August 25, 1967
Pastor, St. Mary – Barr Township; also St. Michael Mission, August 25, 1967
Superintendent, Washington Catholic High School, June 6, 1969
Administrator, St. Patrick, Corning, June 27, 1969
Pastor, Resurrection Church, Evansville, June 3, 1975
Pastor, St. Peter Church, Montgomery; also St. Patrick and St. Michael Missions, November 3, 1986
Administrative Leave, December 29, 1990
Removed from public ministry, July 6, 1992
Deceased October 11, 2003
Date posted as part of this list: February 22, 2019
James Clements
Year of birth: 1928
Date of priestly ordination: June 12, 1954
Number of credible allegations: 1; Admitted
Action taken: Dispensed from the clerical state, April 18, 1977; deceased, December 21, 1996
Places served:
Associate Pastor, St. Wendel Church, St. Wendel, August 20, 1954
Associate Pastor, Sacred Heart Church, Vincennes, July 29, 1955
Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Evansville, August 18, 1959
Associate Pastor, St. Mary Church, Washington, August 17, 1962
Pastor, Blessed Sacrament Church, Oakland City, May 29, 1964
Associate Pastor, Good Shepherd Church, July 13, 1972
Medical leave, April 18, 1974
Dispensed from the clerical state, April 18, 1977
Deceased, December 21, 1996
Date posted as part of this list: February 22, 2019
Wilfred Englert
Year of birth: 1952
Date of priestly ordination: May 9, 1986
Number of credible allegations: 1; Admitted
Action taken: Removed from public ministry, July 26, 2005; convicted of sexual battery, October 3, 2006; served prison sentence; released from incarceration, January 15, 2008; dispensed from the clerical state, October 1, 2009
Places Served:
Associate Pastor, St. John the Baptist, Vincennes, June 20, 1986
Associate Pastor, Holy Family Church, Jasper, July 14, 1987
Associate Pastor, St. John Church, Newburgh, June 27, 1990
Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Evansville, November 10, 1993
Associate Pastor, Holy Rosary Church, Evansville, November 1, 1999
Associate Pastor, St. Agnes Church, Evansville, April 6, 2000
Pastor, St. Raphael Church, June 21, 2000
Administrator, St. Celestine Church, August 28, 2002
Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, January 28, 2004
Removed from public ministry, July 26, 2005
Convicted of sexual battery, October 3, 2006; served prison sentence; released from incarceration, January 15, 2008
Dispensed from the clerical state, October 1, 2009
Date posted as part of this list: February 22, 2019
Mark Kurzendoerfer
Year of birth: 1955
Date of priestly ordination: May 8, 1981
Number of credible allegations: 4; Admitted to two allegations
Action taken: Removed from public ministry, July 2, 2002; dispensed from the clerical state, November 1, 2009
Places Served:
Administrator, St. Mary Church, Sullivan, June 1, 1981
Associate Pastor, St. Simon Church, Washington, July 1, 1981
Teacher, Washington Catholic, Washington, July 1, 1981
Residence, Faculty House on Lincoln Ave., Evansville, June 11, 1984
__________Teacher, Mater Dei High School, Evansville, June 11, 1984
Administrator, Holy Angels Church, New Harmony, July 1, 1986
Diocesan Vocation Board, December 10, 1989
Diocesan Vocation Team, February 26, 1992
Sacramental Minister, St. Thomas Church, Vincennes, October 1, 1995
Associate Pastor, Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Haubstadt, and assisting at St. Joseph, Princeton,Blessed Sacrament, Oakland City, July 16, 1999
Removed from public ministry, July 2, 2002
Dispensed from the clerical state , November 1, 2009
Date posted as part of this list: February 22, 2019
Arthur Mergen
Year of birth: 1941
Date of priestly ordination: June 4, 1976
Number of credible allegations: 2
Action taken: In 1988, left the Diocese of Evansville without the Bishop’s permission; deceased,December 14, 1994
Places served:
Associate Pastor, Sacred Heart Church, Vincennes, June 24, 1976
Associate Pastor, St. John the Baptist Church, Vincennes, July 1, 1977
Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, July 1, 1981
Pastor, St. Peter Church, Montgomery; Administrator, St. Michael’s, Daviess County, September
1, 1981
Administrator, St. Patrick, Corning, July 1, 1984
Pastor, Holy Cross Church, Fort Branch, July 1, 1986
Pastor, St. Mary Church, Washington, June 16, 1988; Relieved of duties on August 17, 1988 andtook up residence at St. Francis Xavier, Vincennes
In 1988, left the Diocese of Evansville without the Bishop’s permission
Deceased December 14, 1994
Date posted as part of this list: February 22, 2019
Othmar Schroeder
Year of birth: 1914
Date of priestly ordination: June 7, 1938 for the Diocese of Indianapolis
Number of credible allegations: 18
Action taken: Priest deceased on February 16, 1988, before abuse was reported
Places served:
Associate Pastor, St. Lawrence Church, Lawrenceburg , September 3, 1938
Associate Pastor, St. Clement Church, Boonville, June 12, 1940
Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, June 18, 1942
Incardinated into the Diocese of Evansville upon its establishment, 1944
Ministry to Boy Scouts, 1940s-1960s
Pastor, Holy Family Church, Jasper, May 29, 1947
Committee on Discipline, Magister Noster School, Evansville, August 23, 1965
Pastor, Sacred Heart Church, Schnellville, June 17, 1975
Deceased February 16, 1988
Date posted as part of this list: February 22, 2019
Richard Wildeman
Year of birth: 1951
Date of priestly ordination: May 13, 1977
Number of credible allegations: 1; Admitted
Action taken: Left active ministry, May 28, 2002; dispensed from the clerical state, August 17, 2007
Places served:
Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, June 15, 1977
Associate Pastor, St. John Church, Newburgh, September 1, 1977
Associate Pastor, St. Matthew Church, Mt. Vernon, July 6, 1979
Chaplain, Boy Scouts, August 22, 1979
Residence, Faculty House on Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, June 1, 1980
Diocesan Director, Youth Ministry, June 1, 1980
Weekend assistance, Corpus Christi Church, Evansville, June 1, 1980
Weekend assistance, St. Clement Church, Boonville, August 10, 1981
Associate Pastor, Holy Family Church, Jasper, August 3, 1982
Pastor, St. Mary Church, Sullivan, June 1, 1987
Administrator, St. Joan of Arc Church, Jasonville, June 1, 1987
Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Vanderburgh County, July 10, 1991
Granted permission for ministry in Haiti, June 1, 2000
Left active ministry, May 28, 2002
Dispensed from the clerical state , August 17, 2007
Date posted as part of this list: February 22, 2019
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This diocesan priest pled guilty to receiving child pornography: Jean Vogler. Here are additional details:
Jean Vogler
Year of birth: 1945
Date of priestly ordination: February 28, 1970
Action taken: This priest was charged and convicted in 1996 in the U.S. District Court for Southern Indiana of Receiving Child Pornography and sentenced to 366 days in federal prison. The priest was reinstated to active ministry in 1999 and retired on September 2, 2011. Not in public ministry, February 19, 2019
Places served:
Associate Pastor, St. Theresa Church, Evansville, August 22, 1970
Associate Pastor, Christ the King Church, Evansville, August 1, 1972
Teacher, Reitz Memorial High School, Evansville, September 1, 1975
Weekend Assistance, St. James Church, Haubstadt, September 1, 1975
Pastor, Holy Redeemer Church, Evansville, July 15, 1980
__________Pastor, St. Mary Church, Sullivan, July 18, 1986
Administrator, St. Joan of Arc Church, Jasonville, July 18, 1986
Pastor, St. Boniface Church, Evansville, June 1, 1987
Pastor, Holy Rosary Church, Evansville, June 27, 1990
Residence at Villa Maria on Lincoln Avenue next to Memorial High School, 1998
Appointed as chaplain of St. Mary’s Medical Center, Evansville, June 3, 1998 (appointment withdrawn before it became effective)
Associate Pastor, Holy Trinity Church, Evansville, April 28, 1999
Residence at Villa Maria on Lincoln Avenue next to Memorial High School, September 2004
Sacramental Minister, St. Joseph Church, Evansville, September 5, 2007
Retired September 2, 2011
Not in public ministry, February 19, 2019
Date posted as part of this list: February 22, 2019
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These religious order priests that performed ministry in the Diocese of Evansville have allegations determined to be credible of at least one act of sexual abuse of a minor that occurred when the priests were serving in the Diocese of Evansville: Warren Heitz, O.S.B., Robert Woerdeman, O.S.B. Here are additional details:
Warren Heitz, O.S. B.
Year of birth: 1940
Date of priestly ordination: May 1, 1966
Religious order: Benedictine monk, O.S.B.
Number of credible allegations: 2. One allegation first reported to St. Meinrad Archabbey; allegations determined credible by the St. Meinrad Archabbey Review Board
Action taken: St. Meinrad Archabbey has informed the diocese that this priest was removed from public ministry in 2002
Places served in the Diocese of Evansville:
Associate Pastor, St. Mary Church, Huntingburg, January 10, 1973
Associate Pastor, St. Benedict Church, Evansville, August 23, 1977
Administrator, St. John Chrysostom Church, New Boston, July 8, 1987
St. Meinrad Archabbey has informed the diocese that this priest was removed from publicministry in 2002
Date posted as part of this list: February 22, 2019
Robert Woerdeman, O.S.B.
Year of birth: 1928
Date of priestly ordination: May 3, 1954
Religious order: Benedictine monk, O.S.B.
Number of credible allegations: 1. Allegation first reported to St. Meinrad Archabbey; determined credible by the St. Meinrad Archabbey Review Board
Action taken: St. Meinrad Archabbey has informed the diocese that this priest was dispensed from his vows and laicized in 1975 and died in 2005
Places served in the Diocese of Evansville:
St. Benedict Church, Evansville, August 1960
St. Meinrad Archabbey has informed the diocese that this priest was dispensed from his vows and laicized in 1975 and died in 2005
Date posted as part of this list: February 22, 2019
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