THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF TUCSON • NEWS RELEASE JUNE 21, 2002 The Most Rev. Manuel D. Moreno, Bishop of Tucson, and the Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas, Coadjutor Bishop of Tucson, returning from the recent U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting in Dallas, are implementing the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Bishops of the U.S. overwhelmingly approved the Charter during their June 13-15 Dallas meeting. The Charter is the definitive response of the U.S. Bishops to concern over the issue of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. Specifically, the Tucson Diocese Bishops immediately are focusing implementation on two articles of the Charter. Article One of the Charter states, “Dioceses will reach out to victims/survivors and their families and demonstrate a sincere commitment to their spiritual and emotional well-being.” Article Seven of the Charter states, “Dioceses will deal as openly as possible with members of the community. This is especially so with regard to assisting and supporting parish communities directly affected by ministerial misconduct involving minors.” As first steps, the Bishops have announced two actions today – the release of the names of 15 priests against whom allegations of child abuse have been made; and creation of a victim’s assistance protocol through which counseling resources will be offered at no expense to any victim/survivor who has experienced abuse by any employee or volunteer of the Diocese. Most of the allegations against the 15 priests relate to their service in the Diocese more than 20 years ago. The oldest act of alleged abuse dates to the late 1950s. The most recent act of alleged abuse dates to 1999. The 15 priests represent 1.25% of the estimated 1,200 priests who have served in the Diocese of Tucson since the late 1950s. The priests named have surfaced either by direct allegations made to the Diocese, reports provided to the Diocese by civil authorities and other dioceses and from a recent review of all priests’ personnel files. All of the names have been provided to civil authorities. Now and in the future, the Diocese will make known to civil authorities any allegation of child abuse made against any employee or volunteer of the Church, including priests and deacons. The Diocese also will make known the name of the alleged abuser to parish communities directly affected by ministerial misconduct involving minors. With the release of the names, the Bishops also are reaching out to parishioners, urging anyone who has experienced sexual abuse as a child from a priest, deacon, employee or volunteer to report the abuse to local authorities. In addition, the Bishops are offering counseling resources and services at no expense to any victim/survivor. The Bishops also have expressed the willingness to meet with any victim/survivor. With the cooperation of Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona and its member agency Catholic Social Services of Tucson, the Diocese has established a victim’s assistance protocol which includes an offer of counseling resources at no expense to any victim/survivor. The Bishops have told all pastors of the Diocese’s 71 parishes to communicate to parishioners a letter which includes the names of the priests, the parishes to which they were assigned and the years of the assignment. The letter also includes the toll free telephone number and Tucson area telephone number through which persons can access victim’s assistance. The 15 priests being named, who were assigned or who served at various times at 35 parishes, include: • five who are deceased; • nine (four of whom are retired) who are living and who have been suspended from ministry and not allowed to celebrate Mass publicly, to wear clerical garb, or to present themselves publicly as priests; • one who is believed to have left the priesthood. The Diocese does not intend to seek removal from the clerical state of those priests who already have retired. The Diocese has begun the process to remove Rev. Michael Teta from the clerical state and will be considering soon the preparation of petitions to the Vatican for the removal from the clerical state of other priests. The Bishops note in their letter that not all of the allegations against the priests who are named involved criminal conduct which resulted in prosecution. Some allegations involved misconduct with a minor that, while not prosecuted as child abuse, was not in keeping with the call of a priest to be a person of trust. Also included with this release is the information the Bishops are providing to parishioners about each of the priests, a sample of the letter to parishioners, and the protocol for victim’s assistance. The information being provided to parishioners about the 15 priests also is being provided to the county attorneys in each of the nine counties included in the territory of the Diocese (La Paz, Yuma, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Cochise, Gila, Pima, Graham and Greenlee) and to the Maricopa County Attorney. The Diocese’s 71 parishes, dozens of missions and 15 parochial schools serve a Catholic population estimated at more than 300,000. ## Here is the information being provided to parishioners about the 15 priests against whom allegations of child abuse have been made. Rev. William Byrne Rev. Byrne, a priest of the Diocese of Tucson, died in 1991. The Diocese learned of allegations of child abuse against Rev. Byrne from lawsuits filed from 1999 through 2001. Prior to his death and to the lawsuits filed after his death, the Diocese was not aware of any allegation of child abuse against Rev. Byrne. Rev. Byrne’s assignments were: Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Tucson (1952); Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Miami (1952-1953); Immaculate Conception Parish, Douglas (1953-1956); St. Ambrose Parish, Tucson (1956); Regina Cleri Seminary, Tucson (1956-1962); St. Henry Parish, Buckeye and Gila Bend area, Mission Trailer Apostolate (1962-1964); St. Jerome Parish, Phoenix (1964-1967); Christ the King Parish, Mesa (1967); Sacred Heart Parish, Clifton (1967-1971); St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Yuma (1971-1975); Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, Tucson (1975-1981); Vocations, Diocese of Tucson (1981-1985); St. Ambrose Parish, Tucson (1985-1991). Rev. Patrick Callanan Rev. Callanan was a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. He died in 1975. In June of 2002, the Diocese received an allegation of child abuse against Rev. Callanan. Rev. Callanan’s assignments were: Holy Angels Parish, Globe (1952-1957); Sacred Heart Parish, Nogales (1957-1961); St. Theresa Parish, Patagonia (1961-1963); Sts. Simon and Jude Parish, Phoenix (1963-1964). Rev. Carlos Cocio Rev. Cocio is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. Rev. Cocio was suspended from ministry in 1993 after allegations of sexual misconduct with an adult. In 1993, following that suspension, the Diocese was notified by a parent, on the recommendation of her child’s counselor, of an allegation of child abuse against Rev. Cocio. With this notice, the Diocese learned that the allegation had been reported to the Pima County Sheriff in 1989, generating a report which was reviewed by the Diocese. The Diocese learned in its review of the report that the Pima County Attorney had elected not to prosecute. The Diocese is not aware of any other allegation of child abuse against Rev. Cocio. Rev. Cocio is 46-years-old. Rev. Cocio’s assignments were: St. Luke Parish, Douglas (1983-1988); Our Lady of Fatima, Tucson (1988-1992); St. James Parish, Coolidge (1992-1993). Rev. Robert Gluch Rev. Gluch was a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. He died in 1993. The Diocese is aware of allegations of child abuse against Rev. Gluch. Rev. Gluch’s assignments were: St. Gregory Parish, Phoenix (1964-1968); Blessed Sacrament Parish, Miami (1968-1972); St. Joseph Parish, Tucson (1972-1975); Sacred Heart Parish, Clifton (1975-1976); St. Andrew Parish, Sierra Vista (1976-1981); St. Patrick Parish, Bisbee (1981-1983); St. Odilia Parish, Tucson (1984-1993). Msgr. John Oliver Msgr. Oliver is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson who retired in 2000. Msgr. Oliver was suspended from ministry in May of 2002 . An allegation of child abuse against Msgr. Oliver was reported to law enforcement in Pima County in 1967. After pleading guilty he completed probation. The Diocese is not aware of any other allegation of child abuse against Msgr. Oliver. Msgr. Oliver is 76-years-old. His assignments were: Queen of Peace Parish, Mesa (1952-1954); St. Augustine Cathedral, Tucson (1954-1956); St. Luke Parish, Douglas (1956); All Saints Parish, Tucson (1958-1960); St. Augustine Cathedral (1960-1967); St. Philip Parish, Payson (1968-69); Immaculate Conception Parish, Yuma (1969-1981); Sacred Heart Parish, Nogales (1987-1995); St. Theresa Parish, Patagonia (1981-1987); St. Jude Parish, Pearce-Sunsites (1995-2000). Rev. Lucien Munier de la Pierre Rev. de La Pierre was a priest of a diocese in Canada. He is thought to have died in the 1980s. The Diocese learned of allegations of child abuse against Rev. de La Pierre from lawsuits filed from 1998 through 2001. Rev. de la Pierre first came to the Diocese of Tucson in 1974. He was granted faculties to perform ministry in 1974 and was never formally assigned to a parish. However, his service in 1974 and 1975 included: St. Joseph Parish in Hayden, St. Joseph Parish in Wellton and Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Tucson. Rev. Thomas Purcell Rev. Purcell was a priest of the Society of Mary (Marianists) who came to Arizona in 1982 seeking the opportunity to minister. The Diocese has been informed that Rev. Purcell is no longer in active ministry. The Diocese is not aware of any ministry Rev. Purcell may have performed after 1984. Rev. Purcell is 61-years-old. The Diocese was informed in June of 2002 of an allegation of child abuse against Rev. Purcell. Rev. Purcell was assigned at: St. Odilia Parish, Tucson (1982-1983). He was in residence at Sacred Heart Parish in Nogales in 1983-1984. Msgr. Walter Rosensweig Msgr. Rosensweig is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. He was suspended in 1996 after an allegation of child abuse. He retired last year. The Diocese is not aware of any other allegation of child abuse against Msgr. Rosensweig. Msgr. Rosensweig is 76-years-old. Msgr. Rosensweig’s assignments were: Sacred Heart Parish, Nogales (1953); St. Augustine Cathedral, Tucson (1953-1962); St. Patrick Parish, Bisbee (1962-1965); St. Monica, Tucson (1965-1966); St. Augustine Cathedral (1967-1969); St. Rose of Lima Parish, Safford (1969-1972); Sacred Heart, Nogales (Tubac, Amado, Rio Rico) (1972-1996). Rev. Charles Rourke Rev. Rourke was a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. Rev. Rourke was suspended from ministry in 1984 for alcohol related medical reasons. He died in 1993. After his death in 1993, the Diocese became aware of allegations of child abuse against Rev. Rourke. Rev. Rourke’s assignments were: St. Augustine Cathedral, Tucson (1958); Immaculate Conception Parish, Douglas (1958-1960); Queen of Peace Parish, Mesa (1960-1961); St. Joseph Parish, Tucson (1961-1962); All Saints Parish, Tucson (1962-1965); Newman Center, Tucson (1966-1968); St. Monica Parish, Tucson (1968-1969); Leave of Absence and Archdiocese of Santa Fe (1969-1973); Sacred Heart Parish, Nogales (1973-1975); Leave of Absence (1975-1981); St. Andrew Parish, Sierra Vista (1981-1984). Rev. Clemens Schlueter Rev. Schlueter is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson who retired in 1990. Rev. Schlueter was suspended from ministry in 1997 after the Diocese was informed of an allegation of child abuse related to his assignments in the 1960s. Rev. Schlueter came to the Diocese of Tucson in 1961 as a priest of the Diocese of Steubenville. He became a priest of the Diocese of Tucson in 1978. Rev. Schlueter is 70-years-old. Rev. Schlueter’s assignments were: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Scottsdale (1961-1963) St. Daniel Parish, Scottsdale (1963-1965) Arizona State Prison Chaplain, Florence (1965-1969) Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Scottsdale (1970-1975) Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Tucson (1976-1977) Sacred Heart Parish, Parker (1977-1982) Arizona Correctional Training Center Chaplain, Tucson (1982-1985) St. Helen Mission, Oracle (1986-1990) Rev. Steven Stencil Rev. Stencil is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. Rev. Stencil was suspended from ministry in 2001 after violating diocesan policy forbidding priests from being in the company of minors overnight. In February of 2002, the Diocese received an allegation of child abuse against Rev. Stencil. The allegation remains under investigation. The Diocese is not aware of any other allegation of child abuse against Rev. Stencil. Rev. Stencil is 50-years-old. Rev. Stencil’s assignments were: Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Miami (1981-1984); Sacred Heart Parish, Clifton (1984-1986); Vocations, Diocese of Tucson (1986-1989); St. Anthony Parish, Casa Grande (1989-1999); St. Mark the Evangelist Parish, Tucson (1999-2001). Rev. Daniel Taylor Rev. Taylor is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. Rev. Taylor was suspended in 1999 after the Diocese was made aware by the Diocese of Erie of allegations of child abuse against Rev. Taylor related to his service in that diocese. Rev. Taylor came to the Diocese of Tucson in 1981 and again in 1984 as a priest of the Diocese of Erie. He became a priest of the Diocese of Tucson in 1992. The Diocese is not aware of any allegation of child abuse against Rev. Taylor related to his service in the Diocese of Tucson. Rev. Taylor is 55-years-old. Rev. Taylor’s assignments were: St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Tucson (1981); St. Francis Parish, Superior (1984-1985); St. Rose of Lima Parish, Safford (1985); Sacred Heart Parish, Parker (1985-1988); Assumption Parish, Florence (1988-1991); Holy Angels Parish, Globe (1991-1996); St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Yuma (1996-1999). Rev. Michael Teta Rev. Teta is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. Rev. Teta was suspended from priestly ministry in 1991 after allegations of sexual misconduct with an adult. Rev. Teta came to the Diocese of Tucson in 1978 as a priest of the Diocese of Trenton. He became a priest of the Diocese of Tucson in 1982. The Diocese learned of allegations of child abuse against Rev. Teta from lawsuits filed from 1999 through 2002. The alleged acts of child abuse by Rev. Teta related to his assignment at Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Tucson. Prior to the lawsuits, the Diocese was not aware of any allegation of child abuse against Rev. Teta. Rev. Teta is 54-years-old. Rev. Teta’s assignments were: Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, Tucson (1978-1980); St. Rose of Lima Parish, Safford (1980-1982); St. Francis Parish, Superior (1986-1988). Rev. Robert Thomas Rev. Thomas is a priest of the Diocese of Toledo who retired in 1995. Rev. Thomas was suspended from ministry in May of 2002 after the Diocese of Toledo confirmed to the Diocese of Tucson that he had pled guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Rev. Thomas came to the Diocese of Tucson in 1986 and was granted faculties to perform ministry. The Diocese is not aware of any allegation of child abuse against Rev. Thomas related to his service in the Diocese of Tucson. Rev. Thomas is 70-years-old. Rev. Thomas’ assignments were: Our Lady of the Valley, Green Valley (1986-1987); Our Mother of Sorrows, Tucson (1987-1995). He also served at Santa Catalina Mission from 1995 through May of 2002. Msgr. Robert Trupia Msgr. Trupia is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson. Msgr. Trupia was suspended in 1992 after an allegation of child abuse. The Diocese learned of additional allegations of child abuse against Msgr. Trupia from lawsuits that were filed from 1997 through 2001. Msgr. Trupia is 54-years-old Msgr. Trupia’s assignments were: St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Yuma (1973-1976); Tribunal, Diocese of Tucson (1976-1992). (While assigned to the Tribunal, Msgr. Trupia also provided ministry at various times at parishes in Tucson, including St. Thomas the Apostle, Our Mother of Sorrows and St. Francis de Sales.) LETTER TO PARISHIONERS June 21, 2002 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus: We have all been saddened and disheartened by the continued revelations of sexual abuse of minors by priests in our Diocese and around the country. In our Diocese, all those priests who have been accused, of whom we are aware, are either deceased; retired and suspended and not allowed to perform any priestly ministry and represent themselves as priests; or suspended and not allowed to perform any priestly ministry and represent themselves as priests. In keeping with the spirit of the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” that we agreed to in Dallas, the Diocese of Tucson wishes to take some immediate action to release the names of those priests about whom there is an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor and, most importantly, to reach out to any person who is a victim/survivor of such abuse. While none of the priests of the Diocese of Tucson accused of sexual abuse of a minor served in your parish, if you or any member of your family has experienced abuse by any priest, deacon, employee, or volunteer of the Diocese of Tucson, we urge you to do the following: CALL (MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M.) 623-0344 FROM WITHIN THE TUCSON AREA OR 1-800-234-0344 FROM OUTSIDE THE TUCSON AREA. THESE NUMBERS ARE FOR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES. YOU WILL HEAR A MESSAGE THAT WILL DIRECT YOU. YOU WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH A VICTIM’S ASSISTANCE PERSON WHO WILL BE PREPARED TO HEAR YOUR CONCERN AND RESPOND TO YOUR SITUATION. When the Victim’s Assistance Person speaks with you, they will hear your concern, invite you to contact the local authorities, inform you that the Diocese will contact the Pima County Attorney’s Office, and offer you counseling resources at no expense to you. In addition, the Victim’s Assistance Person will invite you to meet with the Bishop or his delegate in order that the Diocese might express deep regrets and ask your forgiveness. Restoring your trust is our most important concern. We hope in this way to address the wrongs of the past. As we look to the future, we await the recommendations of our Review Committee, directed by Dr. Jose Santiago. They are identifying ways to strengthen our diocesan policies to see to it that people throughout the Diocese are better educated about the tragedy of sexual abuse of children by adults and are well prepared to respond promptly and effectively to any allegation. These have been painful times for all of us. We pray that the Lord will draw some good from this. We believe the Lord is calling all in the Church to turn again to Him. People want and expect holy priests, who live what they preach. The great majority of our priests are doing just that. People also want and expect bishops who are true shepherds, who give proper oversight to the protection of children and young people. We look to the Lord to guide us. Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Rev. Manuel D. Moreno, Bishop of Tucson Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas, Coadjutor Bishop of Tucson