Two lawsuits draw attention to clergy in Missouri accused of sexual misconduct

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri (KFVS) – A dozen Missouri priests and clergy are accused of sexual abuse in two new lawsuits filed this week in federal court.

The priests come from two dioceses: Jefferson City and Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Both lawsuits call for a jury trial, but no trial date has been set.

In one of the two lawsuits filed Sept. 13, seven priests and clergy from the Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau from the 1980s and 1990s are seeking $75 million in damages. The suit alleges that the diocese's leadership knowingly covered up allegations of abuse, resulting in prolonged suffering for victims.

The defendants are:

• Father Leonard Chambers
• Fr John Harth
• Ms. Reeker
• Father Thomas McCarthy
• Father Thomas Reidy
• Msgr. John Westheus
• Rev. Michael McDevitt

Three plaintiffs could not remember the name of their abuser. Another plaintiff said the abuse was committed by an unnamed youth pastor.

In a statement, the diocese explains its approach to investigating allegations and says it has a zero-tolerance policy. The diocese also says, “Any violation of this policy is grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination.”

Five people accused the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City of covering up their abuse. The lawsuit also seeks $75 million in damages.

The following men are accused in this lawsuit:

• Father Francis Gilgannon
• Mrs. Dave (last name not given)
• Father David Darr
• Father Gerald Howard, formerly Carmen Sita
• Father Thomas Duggan

In a statement, the diocese said none of the accused clergy currently work for the diocese and three of them are deceased. The Diocese of Jefferson City is currently investigating allegations against a deceased priest who had no previous allegations and is trying to determine who Dave is, as the complaint did not provide a full name.

David Clohessy of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests wrote the names of the surviving accused priests and clergy on the sidewalk in front of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where the alleged abuse took place.

“The simple truth is that there have always been and always will be child molesters who seek power over children and access to them. And the ministry is ideally suited to do this,” Clohessy said.

Clohessy knows the plight of the victims because he himself was once abused.

“It's not that I've lost my faith. I feel like it's been stolen from me,” Clohessy said.

Clohessy and SNAP complain that the dioceses are not disclosing what the accused clergy who are still alive are currently doing, whether they continue to work in another area of ​​the Catholic Church, continue to have any dealings with children, or what details of the investigations are available.

“It's important for church officials to share their knowledge about these men because this type of information really helps survivors feel validated and find some level of closure and comfort,” Clohessy said.

All rights reserved.