AUSTIN, Texas — The Catholic Diocese of Austin released a list of priests “credibly accused” of sexual abuse Jan. 31.
The list includes the names of 22 priests:
- Ricardo Aguilar, laicized, Diocese of Austin
- Paul M. Clogan, deceased, Diocese of Portland, Maine
- Daniel Joseph Delaney, deceased, Diocese of Austin
- Daniel Michael Drinan, laicized, Congregation of Missionaries, Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Milton Eggerling, deceased, Diocese of Oakland, previously of the Diocese of Sioux Falls
- Claude Faust, deceased, Diocese of Austin
- James Gallagher, deceased, Diocese of Austin
- Jim Castro (a/k/a Santiago) Garcia, priest for the Archdiocese of Kingston, Jamaica, Archdiocese of Kingston, Jamaica
- James H. Greenwell, deceased, Third Order Regular of St. Francis, previously of the Order of Friars Minor
- Chester Culver Hand, Jr., deceased, Diocese of Austin
- Conrad Kinder, deceased, Society of the Divine Word
- Michael Francis Krol, deceased, Diocese of Austin
- Gerald Muller, restricted, Congregation of Holy Cross (Religious Brother)
- C. Richard Nowery, deceased, Congregation of Holy Cross
- James R. O'Connor, laicized, Diocese of Austin
- Rafael Rendon Ozuna, laicized, Diocese of Austin (Deacon)
- Longinus Juventius Reyes, removed from ministry and retired, Diocese of Austin
- Victor G. Robles, removed from ministry and retired, Diocese of Austin, previously of the Society of Jesus
- Alberto Matta Tijerina, removed from ministry, Diocese of Austin, previously of the Diocese of San Angelo
- Vincent Waiches, deceased, Diocese of San Diego, previously of the Society of the Divine Word
- Adrianus Johannes Willemsen, deceased, Diocese of Austin, previously of the Congregation of the Mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Louis J. Wozniak, removed from ministry and retired, Diocese of Austin
“Credibly accused” is defined by the church as "not a finding that the alleged abuse actually occurred. Rather, it is a finding that there is reason to believe that the alleged abuse occurred.” The church goes on to say the “determination is a lesser standard than that required by our civil or criminal legal systems."
The release comes months after the Texas Conference of Catholic Bishops announced their decision to release the lists of “credibly accused” clergy from all 15 Catholic diocese in Texas.
Austin Bishop Joe Vasquez said at the time of that announcement that people should be able to feel comfortable at church.
“That's what brings about shame, embarrassment, hurt, suffering and pain from our people,” Bishop Vasquez said. “We are all brokenhearted over this whole thing. The sexual abuse of minors is a terrible thing. It's a sin, but it's a crime as well. And so, it hurts all of us.”
For decades, the Catholic Church has dealt with the priest sex abuse crisis as allegations have surfaced worldwide.
The church has paid out more than $3 billion to settle sexual abuse claims, according to an analysis of BishopAccountability.org, an online database that tracks the sex abuse crisis.
More than 6,800 U.S. Catholic priests have been credibly accused of sexual abuse, according to an analysis by BishiopAccountability.org of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop data, and there are at least 19,000 survivors of sexual abuse by U.S. Catholic priests.
At least 70 U.S. Catholic dioceses have released the names of credibly accused priests. Other dioceses include Boston; San Diego, California; Portland, Maine; Fort Worth, Texas; and Louisville, Kentucky.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.