Alabama Catholic Diocese Priest Sexual Abuse List [Free Resource]

Clergy sexual abuse is far too common. Over 30 clergy members and priests have been accused of inappropriate sexual conduct in Mobile, Alabama, alone. More Catholic clergy are still being added to the list of accused priests in Alabama.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers helps protect church victims from inappropriate sexual misconduct. Our legal team is here for you every step of the way as you navigate reporting the abuse to seek the compensation you deserve for the physical and psychological consequences.

Last Name	First Name	Diocese	Status	Accusations (Summary)
Brown	Joseph	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	The archdiocese of Mobile named Brown publicly as accused of misconduct in 1965-1968. He was prohibited from ministry in the archdiocese.
Boucher	Laurence A.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Edmundites report abuse in FL in the 1960s. He died in 1972.
Bendillo	Nicholas Paul	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Convicted	Vick was a teacher at McGill-Toolen High School in Mobile, AL, from 1959-1998. He was charged with sexual misconduct in 2003 and sentenced to five years in prison.
Cullen	Thomas J.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Abuse alleged to have occurred in the 1950s. Retired in 1996.
Crow	Alex	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Crow was assigned to Corpus Christi Parish in Mobile, AL when placed under restrictions after fleeing to Italy with an 18-year-old woman on 7/24/2023. He told the Archdiocese he would never return to America, and allegedly groomed other young girls.
Dahmen	Vernon C.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Named as accused on the archdiocese’s list of credibly accused priests and deacons 12/6/2018. “Misconduct” noted to have occurred mid-1970s-early 1980s. Died 3/30/2001 in Chester, SC while on leave from the archdiocese.
Evans	Timothy Wayne	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Placed on leave in 2005 after allegations of sexual and substance abuse involving a teenage boy up to 6 years previously. Prohibited from ministry in the archdiocese.
Gill	Joseph Cecil	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Gill may have arrived in the archdiocese in 1945 from Ireland, and was accused of misconduct in the late 1960s. He died in 1996.
Grabowski	Robert L.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese of Mobile on its list 12/6/2018. He was laicized 3/21/1992 and his faculties were permanently removed in 6/1979.
Havens	James A.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	After a woman accused Havens of sexually abusing her at age 10, Havens was removed from St. Vincent de Paul church and placed on administrative leave.
Hardman	John E.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Hardman was named publicly as accused by the Archdiocese of Mobile on its list 12/6/2018. He died in 2007.
Keil	Anthony A.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Keil, a Josephite priest, worked in African-American churches in Houston and Tampa, and was assigned to a New Orleans parish in 1930-1931 and 1953-1955. He was first named publicly by the Mobile archdiocese as credibly accused on its list 12/6/2018.
Lang	Cordell J.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Reinstated	Monsignor Lang was accused of sexually abusing a male student at McGill-Toolen High School. He was found not guilty and was reinstated in 1996.
Lawlor	Edward J.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Named publicly as accused on the Mobile archdiocese’s list 12/6/2018. Misconduct occurred in 1972.
Leary	Edward A.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Named publicly as credibly accused in the Mobile archdiocese’s list 12/6/2018 for misconduct that occurred 1970-1972. Died 4/4/2000.
McGarry	Ralph	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Named publicly as accused on the Archdiocese of Mobile’s list 12/6/2018. ‘Misconduct’ noted to have occurred 1960-1961. No indication as to where. Assigned at some point in the archdiocese to the Catholic Boys Home. Deceased.
Nicholson	Patrick J. L.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Sued	Air Force Academy chaplain, accused of pressing a female freshman into an improper sexual ‘relationship’, was discharged from the Air Force in 2000. Another woman came forward in 2003 to allege abuse by Nicholson.
Nouwen	Robert L.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Convicted	Nouwen pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography (boys) and raped two children. He was sentenced to 70 months in prison and lifetime supervision after release.
Rutledge	John D.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Rutledge was named publicly as accused on the Mobile archdiocese’s list 12/6/2018. He was assigned to St Michael’s in Auburn, an African-American parish, and then to St Mary’s in Balboa, Panama, where he died in 1998.
Walton	John J.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Named publicly as accused by the archdiocese on its list 12/6/2018. ‘Misconduct’ noted to have occurred in the 1970s. Parish assignments in Bayou La Batre, Brewton, Andalusia, Mobile, Semmes. Also in the U.S. Army Reserve. Deceased.
Schrenger	Arthur C.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Schrenger was accused of abuse and placed on leave 2003. He appealed to Rome the archdiocese’s finding of abuse, but was never prosecuted.
Savoie	Johnny S.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	A man alleges that Savoie engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with him as a boy aged 16-18 in about 2005 at St. Lawrence church in Fairhope. The archdiocese investigated, but did not place Savoie on leave, and he will remain serving as pastor of St Pius X.
Sherlock	J. Alex	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Archbishop Lipscomb received three credible allegations against Sherlock between 2000 and 2003. Sherlock admitted having relations with at least three students at McGill-Toolen High school.
Ziter	Nelson B.	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Sued	A man alleged physical and sexual abuse by Ziter from 1974-1979 while Ziter was pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Selma. The suit was dismissed due to the statute of limitations.
Smith	Edward Eugene	Archdiocese of Mobile AL	Accused	Smith was reportedly on leave from the archdiocese 1985-2002, and was prohibited from ministry in the archdiocese. He was assigned to Hotel Dieu Hospital in New Orleans.
Stone	Mary (David)	Diocese of Birmingham AL	None	Arrested 10/09/13, charged with sexual abuse of minor. Found not guilty 5/16, granted custody of his son in 1/18.
Bordenca	Charles Joseph	Diocese of Birmingham AL	Accused	Fr. Joe Bordenca was accused of molestation of a 12-year-old boy in the 1960s and was removed from ministry in 2002.
Cooke	Kevin	Diocese of Birmingham AL	Accused	Removed in 2002 after he was accused of inappropriate contact with girl, age 14, more than 25 years previously. May have occurred when he was in seminary. Faculties withdrawn in 2003. On diocese’s list 12/14/18.
Cross	Charles V.	Diocese of Birmingham AL	Sued	Cross was removed from ministry in 2002 after allegations of molestation of at least 4 male teenagers. He died in 2010 and was referred to as “retired priest”.
Ventura	John J.	Diocese of Birmingham AL	Accused	Ordained for Diocese of Paterson NJ. Incardinated 1974 into Birmingham diocese. Removed in 1985 after allegations. On Birmingham diocese’s list 12/14/18.

About Clergy Sexual Abuse

Physical and sexual abuse in the church involves the inappropriate use of power to sexually abuse or exploit a member. Credibly accused priests damage the Catholic Church’s reputation while leaving lasting physiological and psychological damage on victims. Reporting clergy sexual abuse is crucial in seeking justice, bringing light to a serious problem, and preventing the same abuse or improper sexual relationship from affecting other clergy members.

Both criminal prosecution and civil actions are available in clergy sexual and substance abuse cases. Reporting child sex abuse to the local authorities helps bring criminal justice. An allegation deemed credible and proven guilty could lead to jail time and required enlistment of sex offender registries.

Legal Support for Survivors in Alabama

Legal support is available to victims of Alabama diocese sexual abuse. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has the expertise and empathy necessary for civil claims involving the clergy. Our legal team handles the investigation and reporting of the case. We will also build your case through evidence and witness reports to seek civil or private settlements. A civil suit against those accused of sexual abuse can help you and your family recover the funds you need for counseling and healing.

Laws and Regulations in Alabama

Strict Alabama laws can make seeking justice for clergy sexual abuse difficult. Children who make such claims can only seek compensation through a civil lawsuit until their 25th birthday. However, lawmakers are currently pushing to increase the statute of limitations on sexual assault cases involving children longer, but this hasn’t yet been successfully passed. SB 127 aims to improve the statute of limitations on alleged abuse to 36 years rather than six after the age of 25 years.

Currently, Alabama law requires the immediate reporting of a person accused of child pornography or abuse up to the age of 19 years. However, Alabama laws do permit clergy-penitent privileges, which can make reporting abuse in the Catholic Church more difficult. With the misconduct noted, officials can begin an official investigation into the alleged abuse.

Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Alabama

A clergy sexual abuse lawsuit allows victims to seek compensation for their damages. Filing a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit in Alabama includes the following steps:

1. Initial Consultation – After reporting sexual abuse to the federal authorities, the next step should be consulting a lawyer.
2. Case Evaluation – Your legal team will begin evaluating the details of your case and determine the best legal options.
3. Collect Evidence – In the United States, the legal system presumes a defendant innocent until proven guilty. In a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit, the plaintiff proves sexual abuse, which requires evidence. Evidence might include letters, emails, witness reports, church notes with the misconduct noted, or personal statements.
4. Consider Settlement – In cases of admitted abuse, the church is sometimes willing to offer a settlement. Of course, it’s important to evaluate your case and compare it against any settlement offers you might receive.
5. Prepare for Trial – If those accused of abuse are unwilling to admit guilt or offer a settlement offer, our legal team is prepared to take your case to trial.

Support Services for Survivors in Alabama

Support services are available to Alabama survivors:

• Crisis Center Birmingham – The Crisis Center of Birmingham offers sexual assault support. A 24-hour hotline is available at 205-323-7273.
• YMCA Central Alabama – Victims of domestic violence can seek support through the YMCA of Central Alabama at (205) 322-4878.
• Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) – The SNAP organization is available to those abused by priests.
• Thrive Alabama – Thrive Alabama offers mental health services to those victimized through abuse.

Reporting sexual misconduct to AL child protection officials helps protect children. Sexually abusing a victim of any age in a position of power has lasting psychological and physical consequences. Legal and emotional support are both necessary in the healing process for victims.

Notable Cases and Outcomes in Alabama

One of the most notable cases of abuse in the churches of Alabama includes the Southern Baptist Church. 33 former staff members and ministers were named on a list of those accused or convicted of sexual abuse. A Mobile archdiocese’s list also included additional Alabama clergy members who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse.

The Archdiocese reportedly investigated some of the clergy members, leading to the arrest of certain priests. However, witness statements claim that there were reports of abuse alleged many years before the archdiocese investigated. In some cases, there were reports of the district attorney’s office being notified, and in others, there were not.

These investigations into the Mobile archdiocese have led to many Alabama churches being in the news for sexual abuse and misconduct, including the Vincent de Paul Church in Mobile and the Holy Cross Parish. Allegations have also included the Roman Catholic Church and St. John’s Parish. Reports contained sexual abuse allegations, including parish assignments all the way back to the 1970s.

The statute of limitations makes it difficult to seek compensation for sexual abuse cases reported many years ago.

Our attorneys have reviewed public and private settlement data related to Alabama clergy abuse settlements. Depending on the circumstances pertaining to your case, these claims may be fairly valued in the $400,000 to $950,000 range. In cases of extreme conduct or if that case were to go before a jury, damages could exceed $1 million.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have a proven track record of helping victims seek justice and recover compensation following inappropriate behaviors in the church.

Our legal team offers a compassionate approach while staying committed to serving justice. We understand the importance of discretion and empathy during this time. Whichever Alabama church or clergy the misconduct occurred in, we have the experience you need to make changes and help you recover compensation for your damages.

Contact an Alabama Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today!

Contact us today at (888) 424-5757 for a free consultation. You can also reach our legal team using our online form.