CHARLESTON — CHARLESTON — The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston released the names of clergy who were credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors.
Also released was a list of accused priests from other regions or Dioceses who have served within the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, but for which no claims have been filed in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
There are 18 names on the list, which also includes where each priest served and when, as well as their current status. Three priests pastored parishes in Monongalia County.
Carl E. Bauer Jr., was at St. Mary in Star City from 1985-2002 and St. Ursula in Pursglove from 1985-‘94, and is now deceased. Patrick Anthony Condron, was at St. Theresa in downtown Morgantown from 1992-1994. He was suspended in 2006. Stanley Tuchalski was at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Westover from 1993-‘98, St. Ursula in Pursglove from 1994-‘98, and was suspended in 2002.
“We hope the release of this list will be one of many steps taken to restore trust with parishioners and the broader community in West Virginia,” stated Archbishop William E. Lori, apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
“We hope people see the release of this list as a sign of good faith that the diocese is committed to transparency, accountability and to providing a safe environment for children and adults.”
The period goes to 1950 because that’s as far back as the diocese has records.
Close to 800 priests worked for the diocese over the period under review, officials said. None of the individuals who were listed are currently in active ministry, officials have said.
More than 2,000 files were reviewed, containing tens of thousands of documents.
Bryan Minor, delegate of Administrative Affairs for the diocese, was directed to oversee the process of reviewing files in preparation for the disclosure.
Minor has said the diocese began talking internally about the investigation and releasing the names almost six months ago.
The announcement that the names would be released came after the abrupt resignation of Rev. Michael J. Bransfield, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
Bransfield’s resignation this fall was accompanied by an order by the archbishop of Baltimore to investigate allegations that Bransfield sexually harassed adults.
The diocese encourages anyone who may be the victim of abuse by any member of the Church to contact civil authorities or the Office of Safe Environment at 304-233-0880.
“As we continue to pray for all victims of sexual abuse, let us also recommit ourselves to do everything we can to ensure the protection of all who are entrusted to our care,” Lori stated Thursday.
The List
Carl E. Bauer Jr. was at St. Mary in Star City from 1985-2002 and St. Ursula in Pursglove from 1985-‘95. He also served in Parkersburg and Wheeling. He was accused in 2004 of inappropriate touching of a minor in 1969 or 1970. He retired in 2002 and died in 2015.
Patrick Anthony Condron was at St. Theresa in downtown Morgantown from 1992-1994. He also served in Moundsville, Parkersburg, Vienna, Bethany College, West Liberty State College, Wheeling, Catholic University. He was accused in 1995 of abuse of a minor from 1983-1987. He was put on restrictions in 2005 and suspended in 2006.
Stanley Tuchalski was at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Westover from 1993-‘98, St. Ursula in Pursglove from 1994-‘98, and St. Peter in Fairmont from 1998-2000. He also served in Weirton and Catholic Univesity. He was accused in 2000 of inappropriate touching in 1998. He was suspended in 2002.
Eugene R. Bowski served in Franklin from 1980-‘82. He was accused of abuse in 1982 abuse of a minor in 1982 and accused in 2014 of abuse of minors in the Diocese of Gallup, N.M., on unknown dates. His faculties were withdrawn in New Mexico in 2014.
Lawrence D. Brown served in Weirton, Wheeling, Salem, West Union, St. Albans and Parkersburg from 1970-1985. He was accused in 2002 or 2003 of abuse of a minor in Weirton in 1972, and accused in 2018 of the same in 1982 or 1983 in Wheeling. His faculties were revoked in 1985 and he died in 1993.
William Carr served in Princeton, Clarksburg, Parkersburg, St. Clara and Bluefield from 1941-‘71. He was accused in 2002 of abuse of a minor between 1950 and 1956. He retired in 1971 and died in 1984.
James Joseph Chetock served in Parkersburg, Weirton, Charles Town, Fort Ashby, Ridgeley and Vienna from 1993-2005. He was accused in 2018 of abuse of a minor in 1978-‘79. He was suspended and voluntarily left ministry in 2005.
Victor Frobas served in St. Albans, Wheeling, Huntington, Fairmont, Wellsburg, Huttonsville, Moundsville, Weirton and Farmington from 1959-‘83. He was accused multiple times of abusing minors in every church he served. He was suspended and his faculties revoked in 1987. According to a 1987 article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, he was indicted in 1987, pleaded guilty and received probation. He died in 1993.
Rogers Hannan was a brother — not a priest — in Welch and War from 2001-2012. He was accused of solicitation of a minor in 2012. He was convicted and sentenced to 2-10 years in jail.
Patrick J. MacSweeney served in Follansbee, Chaleston, Weston and Shinnston from 1955-‘63. He was accused in 2006 and 2010 of abusing minors in the early 1960s. He died in 1967.
Charles E. McCallister served in Fairmont, Clarksburg, Wheeling and Washington, D.C., from 1971-2003. He was accused in 2007 of abusing a minor between 2002-2006. He was suspended and died in 2007, during the investigation.
Felix Owino served in Wheeling and Weirton from 2008-2010. He was accused in 2010 of inappropriate touching of an adult and abuse of a minor (in Virginia) for incidents in 2010. He was removed from ministry in 2010, pleaded guilty to the Virginia charge and was deported back to Africa.
David Pichette served in Center Point from 1979-‘88. He was accused in 2003 of abusing a minor in 1981. He left the diocese in 1988.
Robert Rooney served in Wheeling, White Sulphur Springs, Ronceverte, Huntington, Chester, Beckley, Military Ordinariate, Coalton, War and Camden from 1954-‘77. He was accused in 1962 and 2010 of abusing minors (in West Virginia and New Jersey) for incidents in 1962 and 1964-‘67. He died in 1994.
Francis Roscetti served in Ridgeley from 1967-‘72. He was accused in 2015 of abusing a minor from 1967-‘72. He died in 1991.
Richard Schaefer served in Huntington, Fairmont, Point Pleasant, Wheeling, Rowlesburg, Dunbar, Sistersville, Paden City and Middlebourne from 1962-1986. He was accused in 1986, 1995, 2001, 2002 and 2008 for abusing minors from 1967 to the late 1970s. He was suspended in 1986 and died in 1998.
Paul Schwarten served in Weston, Ronceverte, White Sulphur Springs, Fairmont, Moundsville, Sistersville, St. Marys and Logan from 1943-1987. He was accused of abusing a minor in 1951. He was arrested in 1960 for inappropriate touching of a minor in Nebraska and served 18 months in prison. He was accused in 1981 of abusing a minor in West Virginia in the mid-1970s. He retired in 1987 and died in 1995.
Charles Tague served in Wheeling from 1964-‘85. He was accused in 1986 of abusing a minor from 1979-‘85. He left the diocese in 1985 and died in 2003.
