| Last Name |
First Name |
Diocese |
Notes |
| Aiken |
Roy Francis |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 7/4/06. |
| Bench |
John F. |
Charleston, SC |
Ordained for the Pittsburgh diocese. Relocated to Charleston diocese in 1980. Resigned from Holy Cross Parish in Pickens at request of Bishop in 12/93 after accusations that he had molested a girl. In 2000 he asked to be reinstated and transferred to FL. Child’s parents were consulted and strenuously objected. Bishop then denied request. Died 6/6/09 in FL. On diocese’s list 3/29/19. |
| Berberich |
Peter |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 3/20/97. |
| Burn |
William |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 5/29/09. |
| Castano-Mejia |
Juan Carlos |
Charleston, SC |
Priest of The Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Ipiales, Colombia. Arrived in U.S. in 1999; investigated before being granted visiting priest status. Arrested and indicted 4/02 on charges that he abused a 4-year-old girl in 2000. She told her brother who told another relative. Incident was not reported to diocese until 2002. In 4/03, he admitted fondling the child and was sentenced to 2 years in jail, 2 years probation, and required to pay restitution. There may have been similar allegations in South America. On Charleston diocese’s list 3/29/19. Deported after release from prison. |
| Collerett |
Roger |
Charleston, SC |
Priest of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) – Canada. On Charleston diocese’s list 3/29/19. Believed to have returned to Canada. |
| Condon |
Eugene L. |
Charleston, SC |
Indicted 7/96 re 1970s abuse of minor. Resigned immediately after Diocese learned of charges and allowed “early retirement” without privileges. Ordered not to be alone with minors. Police also found child porn in his possession. In 4/98 he received 5 years probation for committing lewd acts with boys in 1970s. Arrested again in 1/06 on similar charges. Retired 2006. Charges dropped 2/09 because victim’s extensive legal, mental and sobriety issues did not allow him to testify. Died 5/24/14. Buried 05/28/14. On diocese’s list 3/29/19. |
| DuMouchel |
Raymond |
Charleston, SC |
Retired in 1999. In 11/02, Charleston police charged the 78-year-old with sexually molesting two girls while working at city churches and a local hospital in the1950s. Third accuser came forward 2/03. Charges dropped in 2005 because of his dementia and inability to contribute to own defense. Died 9/10/06. On diocese’s list 3/29/19. |
| Evatt |
Thomas A. |
Charleston, SC |
Placed on leave 5/02 after a man accused Evatt of performing a lewd act on him at age 9 during overnight stay at rectory in 1977. The alleged victim did not tell his father until 1991 and did not inform police or Diocese until 2002. Evatt said the 1977 incident was a “singular horrible event” that never happened again. Trial pending 7/03 when Evatt was found dead in his home 7/18/03. Death ruled accidental, due to massive blood loss when Evatt cut his leg on piece of furniture. Alcohol abuse contributed to death.On diocese’s list 3/29/19. |
| Goodwin |
Justin L. |
Charleston, SC |
Arrested 1994 on charges of abusing 4 boys in the late 1970s. Released on personal recognizance. In 1995 he entered an Alford plea (did not admit to wrongdoing but felt evidence would result in conviction) and was sentenced to 10 years prison, suspended upon service of 5 years probation. Died 12/25/95. Plaintiffs settled for $200K total but were denied permission to participate in 2007 settlement. |
| Hopwood |
Frederick J. |
Charleston, SC |
Accused of abusing multiple people. Resigned 12/93 after accusations became public. Criminal charges filed 1994. Pled guilty. Sentenced to 3 years probation, treatment and 250 hours public service. Hopwood’s roommate at seminary (and later) was Cardinal Bernardin. Ordained by Bishop Russell of Charleston who made him Chancellor immediately after ordination. Died 4/30/17. On diocese’s list 3/29/19. |
| Hubacz |
Leon Joseph |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the Charleston diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 6/28/99. |
| Kennedy |
Ernest Eugene |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 6/9/17. |
| Lee |
Walter Pringle |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 4/81. |
| McElroy |
James |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Abuse allegedly occurred in the 1940s. Died 7/5/71. |
| McLean |
Frederick |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 8/26/10. |
| Moynihan |
George Frederick |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 8/30/04. |
| Murphy |
Daniel Francis |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 7/21/80. |
| Murphy |
Joseph J. |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 8/24/98. |
| Owens-Howard |
J. (James) Robert |
Charleston, SC |
Former Bishop England High School teacher Retired. Arrested on charges related to fondling an 8-year-old boy in a pool. Convicted 2/93. Apparently sentenced to 5 years prison. Released 4/98. Absent on sick leave per 1993 & 1998 Catholic Directories. Not indexed in 2002 directory. Registered sex offender in SC as of 6/10. Conviction information found on that website. On diocese’s list 3/29/19. Died 12/01/15. |
| Palatore Belfiore |
Cesare |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the Charleston diocese on its list 3/29/19. Visiting priest from the Diocese of San Jose in Costa Rica. Believed to have returned to Costa Rica. |
| Plikunas |
Anthony |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 11/28/73. |
| Richardson |
William |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Noted to have left the Catholic priesthood in 6/83. |
| Ryfinski |
Gerald J. |
Charleston, SC |
Arrested 6/01 after computer repair man found child pornography on his computer. Pled guilty in 3/02 to one count of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Received a five year suspended sentence with three years probation. Laicized 4/07.On SC Sex Offender Registry as of 1/3/10. On diocese’s list 3/29/19. |
| Seitz |
Paul F. |
Charleston, SC |
Removed 11/94 after allegations that he was involved in sexual misconduct with a minor 30 years prior. Denied allegations. Allowed to return to work prior to 2002. Assigned to a smaller parish and ordered not to be alone with children. Per 6/02 article, Seitz resigned “for health reasons.” On diocese’s list 3/29/19. Noted to have retired 6/1/02 and to be “under restrictions.” |
| Sharples |
James |
Charleston, SC |
Priest of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Rock Hill, SC. Died 11/28/74. Named publicly as accused by the Charleston diocese on its list 3/29/19. |
| Sheedy |
Charles |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 7/6/89. |
| Sheedy |
Lawrence |
Charleston, SC |
1 man filed civil suit in 2004 naming Sheedy as his abuser. Man said abuse occured at a Catholic orphanage in 1967-1968 until Mother Superior found out. Sheedy transferred to Arizona and later died. Suit settled 6/06 at mediation. Man and others accusing priest Nyhan turned around and immediately filed another suit against church for loss of consortium. |
| Simonin |
John |
Charleston, SC |
Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 7/15/10. |
| Smith |
Gabriel “Gabe” |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Retired from active ministry 12/31/18. Allegation noted to have occurred eight years prior to ordination and “did not involve touching the minor.” Returned to ministry in 3/04 after the Vatican determined that he was not a risk to minors. |
| Suggs |
Frederick H. |
Charleston, SC |
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 8/26/98. |
| Tawes |
Creston J. |
Charleston, SC |
Named as accused by the diocese on its list 3/29/19. Died 8/4/80. |
| Vaverek |
Hayden |
Charleston, SC |
Privileges removed 3/13 after allegations of sexual misconduct involving a minor more than 15 years prior when he was pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Greenwood SC. In 1/11, with permission of Bishop, he began working for Catholic Near East Welfare Assoc., a papal agency based in NY City. Apparently in Rome when allegations were made public. As of 4/23/13 accuser waived further criminal investigation, saying church punishment enough. Diocese was continuing investigation. Laicized 5/16. In 2017 created a nonprofit for supporting priests “at a vocational crossroads, ” Pax Bonum. |
| Washington |
Freddy |
Charleston, SC |
Pastor of St. Mark the Evangeist parish in Harlem in the NY archdiocese when arrested 6/17 for sexual abuse in 1982-84 of two boys, ages 10 and 11-14, at St. Patrick’s church in Charleston. Washington was a lay person and volunteer at the time. The boys were in training to be altar servers. Abuse said to have included fondling and oral copulation. Charleston diocese learned of allegations 2/16 and contacted Rockville Centre diocese. Charleston diocese reported to Charleston police in 9/16. Former pastor of two Chicago parishes, and listed on Xavier Univ. in New Orleans website in 6/17 as associate prof. of pastoral theology. |
