Several former Michigan priests and non-clergy members have been blacklisted from working with children or youth as the result of an investigation by one of the state’s Catholic Dioceses.
The Diocese of Kalamazoo announced it’s “undertaking a thorough review and updating of all its policies protecting children and youth,” starting with the publication of a list of individuals disqualified from working with kids.
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“These major updates and continued review of our diocesan policies are with three primary goals in mind,” said Bishop Lohse, “First, to protect the children and youth entrusted to us by creating safe environment in our churches, schools and apostolates; second, to work to educate our faithful and those in our community to recognize predatory and other behavior that puts children at risk; and third, to work toward eradicating all forms of child abuse.”
This list includes both clergy and non-clergy alike and covers more than sexual abuse. The Diocese notes that the accusations are credible in their judgement, but may not be in the court of law. Some of the individuals on the list are deceased.
The Diocese laid out “disqualifying and prohibiting” actions, which include:
- continued violations of a child-protection policy after warnings,
- failing as a mandated reporter to report allegations of abuse of minors,
- failing to act to prevent abuse that they knew to be happening,
- furnishing pornography to minors,
- the possession/use of child pornography,
- physical abuse of minors,
- direct sexual abuse or sexual assault of minors.
For an individual to be included on the list, the relevant allegation(s) must be established to be credible by at least one of the following, according to the Diocese:
(1) secular legal proceedings,
(2) canon law proceedings,
(3) self-admission by the individual,
(4) evidence that meets the “clear and convincing” standard (defined as highly probable or reasonably certain).
Living members on the banned list
The individuals on this list are believed to be alive and living in the locations noted. They are listed with their last known status or employment:
Douglas Alan Butler – Battle Creek, Michigan
Former Cub Scout Committee Member
Fr. Richard Fritz – Lakeport, Michigan
Forbidden to function as a priest.
Joey Gallaway – Battle Creek, Michigan
Former playground supervisor
Nathan John Lavoie – Grand Rapids, Michigan
Former choir director
Fr. Brian Stanley – Coloma, Michigan
Forbidden to function as a priest.
Fr. Leroy White – Davison, Michigan
Forbidden to function as a priest.
Deceased members on the ban list:
In recognition of the fact that the effects of disqualifying and prohibiting actions remain even after the offender has died, the Diocese of Kalamazoo lists the following individuals who, if still alive, would have been included on the list given above.
Father Dennis Boylan
Was forbidden to function as a priest.
Date of Death: January 20, 2018
Father Bernard L. Horst, S.M.
Was restricted in his ministry as a priest.
Date of Death: February 15, 2001
John Charles Pierce
Former Janitor
Date of Death: January 22, 2001
David Redmond
Former Sacristan
Date of Death: November 24, 2012
Calvert Shenk
Former Music Teacher and Choir Director
Date of Death: July 9, 2005
Msgr. Jacob Vellian
Was forbidden to function as a priest in the Diocese of Kalamazoo.
Date of Death: December 22, 2022
Those banned for actions elsewhere
Msgr. Leonard Bogdan
On the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Credibly Accused List, the Diocese of Phoenix’s Credibly Accused List, and the Bishops’ Accountability Credibly Accused List
Forbidden to function as a priest.
Living in the Diocese of Phoenix
Fr. Thomas DeVita
On the Bishops’ Accountability Credibly Accused List
Forbidden to function as a priest.
Died: December 13, 2013
Fr. Stanley Staniszewski
On the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Credibly Accused List, the Diocese of Gary’s Credibly Accused List, and the Bishops’ Accountability Credibly Accused List
Died: April 2, 2016
Former Fr. Michael Weston
On the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Credibly Accused List
Resigned from active ministry in 1993; Laicized in 2009
Location unknown
Fr. Bogdan Werra
On the Diocese of La Crosse’s Credibly Accused List and Bishops’ Accountability Credibly Accused List
Died: September 9, 2017