Nearly 50 clerics in the Diocese of Burlington in Vermont (which covers the entire state) have been publicly accused of molesting kids. A surprisingly high percentage of them became known just five years ago when then-Bishop Christopher Coyne (who has since been promoted to head the Hartford Archdiocese) finally DID post a 'credibly accused' abusers list.
Among them are: Fr. Robert J. Baffa, Fr. James E. Beauregard, Fr. Paul M. Bresnehan, Fr. Donald A. Bruneau, Fr. James J. Campbell, Fr. Robert E. Devoy, Fr. John F. Eastman, Fr. James F. Foley, Fr. Edward C. Foster, William P. Gallagher, Fr. Edward J. Gelineau, Fr. John A. Guichard, Fr. John B. Kenney, Fr. John A. Lanoue, Fr. Walter D. Miller, Fr. Joseph Maxime Mooney, Fr. George O. Murtagh, Fr. Paul I. Plouffe, Fr. Raymond C. Provost, Fr. Daniel F. Roberts, Fr. Forrest W. Rouelle, Fr. Emile W. Savary, Fr. Ronald A. Soutiere, Fr. John A. Stankiewicz, Fr. Edward J. Stapleton, Fr. Richard E. Thompson, Fr. Charles A. Towne, Fr. Aime J. Trahan, Fr. Raymond D. Walsh and Fr. Donal D. Ward.
Some were sued in civil courts, including Fr. James J. McShane, Fr. George A. Paulin, Fr. Conrad Bessette, Fr. James Dunn, and Fr. Louis E. Gelineau, who worked for 27 years in Vermont before becoming the bishop of Providence Rhode Island diocese. In a 1997 lawsuit, Gelineau was accused of trying to fondle and then drown him at a now-notorious orphanage.
But today, we at Horowitz Law want to draw attention to two particularly egregious predator priests who worked in the Granite State. One is Fr. Michael K. Madden, whose faculties (or permission to work as a cleric in the diocese) were revoked in 1988. In 1989, he was criminally convicted for lewd conduct with a boy.
Fr. Madden was sentenced to probation for five years. But as many predators do, he violated his probation at least six times. Many sexually troubled priests can't honor appropriate personal boundaries, their pledges of celibacy, and even court-imposed rules designed to protect the public from them. Ultimately, Fr. Madden ended up serving just two years in prison. Authorities knew of other victims over a 20-year period. To be precise, "Police believed that Fr. Madden had molested dozens of boys at the St. Joseph's Orphanage and at five parishes where he served as a priest.," according to the Burlington Free Press. In 1994, Madden was sued, and his case went to trial. A jury ordered him to pay one of his victims $175,000. Nearly two decades later, he faced a second civil lawsuit.
We might know more about Fr. Madden's crimes if not for the disobedience of his boss, Bishop John Marshall. In 1990, prosecutors wanted to interview Marshall under oath at a deposition about evidence Marshall and the diocese had of other misconduct by Madden. Marshall, however, vehemently objected to the proposed deposition. He and his lawyers argued that the church was immune from state scrutiny. A judge ultimately ruled Marshall could provide the information requested under seal. Still, Marshall never did so because the case against Fr. Madden ended when he pled 'no contest' to two charges of lewd and lascivious conduct.
A Closer Look at Fr. Benjamin Wysolmerski
The other priest who merits a closer look is Fr. Benjamin D. Wysolmerski, who was accused of abusing at least two girls in the 1950s and 1970s. In 1997, at least one case against him was settled for an undisclosed sum. Like Fr. Madden, Fr. Wysolmerski is now deceased. Since he can no longer assault anyone, why do we at Horowitz Law consider him particularly egregious?
Because he, too, molested kids for decades. Over a career of roughly 40 years, he was transferred to eight parishes. Because "He did it while he was the teacher at the school teaching us catechism," one of his victims said in a court deposition. "He did it on back roads going to visit people who he was helping in the parish. He did it to me in the attic of my grandmother's home." She also said that Fr. Wysolmerski impregnated her and paid for an abortion. When she later wrote to then-Bishop Marshall, he replied: "My study has uncovered nothing so far to corroborate your story and some rather strong evidence, which would seem to exonerate the one against whom you have made your allegation."
But the priest had earlier shown her a letter that other women had sent the diocese complaining about the Fr. Wysolmerski. And because the victim and another woman he hurt, believe the cleric victimized as many as 25 girls. And because one woman alleged that he raped her in the 1960s when she was a student and again in the 1970s when she was married.
In short, it's hard to imagine a track record that's more 'egregious' than all this betrayal and harm, again, over at least three decades. Here's another reason we're highlighting these two abusers. Sadly, many of us have short memories. So often, priests who were caught assaulting youngsters long ago faded from public awareness. They are mentioned somewhat rarely in media accounts of predatory clergy, as many news outlets prefer to alert their viewers and readers to more recent crimes. That's understandable, of course, because some of the more-recently-outed offending priests are still alive and thus still pose a threat to youngsters, especially since few bishops house, monitor, and supervise their abusive clerics.
But no matter how long ago these two molested girls and boys, how long ago they were 'outed', or how long ago they passed away, the system that enabled them to abuse their power over those boys and girls remains firmly in place. That system has been hammered for years, thanks to the courage of victims, the media's attention, and law enforcement's actions. But it's still intact. And as long as it is, and as long as few real reforms happen in the church, we at Horowitz Law will help wounded adults find justice and keep hammering.
The attorneys at Horowitz Law have a long history of representing survivors of child sex abuse. If you or someone you know was abused by a priest in the Diocese of Burlington, please contact Horowitz Law today for a free consultation. We can help you understand your legal options and fight for the justice you deserve. The Burlington Diocese has filed for federal bankruptcy protection, and strict deadlines will soon be set by the bankruptcy court. Please contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or e-mail sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com for a free consultation to discuss your options today.