COMPLIANCE AND AUDITS
Since the release of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People by the USCCB
in 2002, the Diocese of Reno has been audited by an outside agency to determine our
adherence to national policies. In each audit so far, the diocese has been found to be in
compliance.
Find out more information about the USCCB Audit and Reporting Process
Diocesan Audit Compliance Letters
Full Transparency List of Diocese of Reno Credibly Accused
For information on how to report abuse, click here
To request information about Safe Environment training, please reach out to
safeenvironment@catholicreno.org
For the past sixteen years, in compliance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, we have had in place protocols for reporting abuse to law enforcement, background checks for anyone working with youth, ongoing training in awareness and prevention of abuse, and policies to ensure appropriate interaction between youth and adults in all our programs. In the wake of recent national reports of the sexual abuse of minors by clergy, on August 18, 2018, I informed Catholics in northern Nevada that I wanted a review of our commitment as a diocese to safeguard all minors. I asked the Diocesan Review Board, comprised of lay women and men, to conduct this review. Since then the members of the board have diligently undertaken this task. In addition to an examination of current policies and procedures, I also asked them to review the clergy files because I decided, as a measure of transparency and accountability, to make public the names of clergy and religious who have been credibly accused of sexually abusing minors.
As a result of this review, the Diocesan Review Board recommended the following list of names of priests and religious who have been credibly accused. The determination of a “credible” accusation was based on such factors as corroborating evidence or criminal prosecution or admission of guilt by the accused. The process of determining credibility was not a formal legal process. In publishing this list, it is our hope that it may bring some healing to those who have been abused. We can read the names of the perpetrators, but what is not seen in print are those men and women who have suffered the harm inflicted and the pain they have carried through their lives. That clergy inflicted such grave injury on minors fills me with shame and sorrow. In the name of the Diocese of Reno I offer my profound apology to them and to their families.
The clergy files examined extend back over eighty years from the inception of the Diocese of Reno. The following list includes names of clergy and religious who served in the twelve counties that currently comprise the diocese: Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe. In the first three categories, the priests and religious were accused of committing sexual abuse of minors in the state of Nevada. Those listed are:
1. diocesan priests who formally belonged to the Diocese of Reno, i.e., permanently dedicated to its service (the technical term is “incardinated”):
Edmund Boyle (deceased)
Eugene Braun (removed from ministry)
Robert Despars (deceased)
William Duff (deceased)
Florence Flahive (deceased)
Harold Vieages (deceased);
Carmelo Baltazar (deceased)
Timothy Ryan (deceased);
3. religious order priests who worked in the Diocese of Reno:
David Brusky SDS (deceased)
Stuart Campbell OP (deceased);
4. A diocesan priest who was ordained for service in another diocese and then transferred to and was incardinated in the Diocese of Reno. Many years after his incardination in Nevada, his diocese of origin (the Archdiocese of Louisville) found credible allegations of sexual abuse committed by him when he was part of the Archdiocese of Louisville and has posted his name on its list of credibly accused:
Robert Bowling (deceased).
Most of the priests on the list are deceased and for some of them, an accusation of sexual abuse was made after their deaths. Nevertheless, the Diocesan Review Board found evidence to conclude the accusation was credible.
Recently, allegations have been investigated regarding Philip Napolitano FSR, a member of the Brothers of the Holy Rosary here in Reno. These allegations concerned incidents that took place at St. Christopher’s School in Las Vegas between the years 1964-1974. An Administrative Tribunal of the Diocese of Reno, impaneled to conduct a canonical investigation of allegations against Brother Philip Napolitano, concluded that he had sexually abused a minor when he was teaching at St. Christopher’s School, North Las Vegas between 167-1974. In consequence, Philip Napolitano is ordered to live the remainder of his life in prayer and penance, will no longer represent himself as a religious brother, will no longer wear religious garb, and will have no ministry whatsoever in the Roman Catholic Church. Given June 17, 2020.
The Diocesan Review Board will continue to evaluate all information as it is received and thus the list of names may be updated or expanded in the future.
Anyone who has been sexually abused by a member of the clergy, a church employee or volunteer is encouraged to contact civil authorities and/or the Victims’ Assistance Coordinator: Marilyn Janka at 775-753-9542 or the Diocesan Victim’s Assistance Hotline at 1-844-669-8911).
Attached to this letter is the list of the assignments of each of the priests named above.
May God strengthen our resolve as a church to protect children from abuse and to uphold the dignity of every human being.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Randolph R. Calvo
Bishop of Reno
2019 Members of the Diocesan Review Board:
Ms. Rota Rosaschi, MPA, LSW (Chair)
Mrs. JoAnn Baird, MFT
Mr. Frank Flaherty, Esq., Attorney & Counselor at Law<
Mrs. Margaret Graham, Coordinator of Marriage, Annulments and Funerals, Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Member of the Diocesan Seminary Board
Mr. Stacey Hill, Retired Law Enforcement
Mrs. Annabelle Kozel
Hon. Joanne C. Parrilli (Retired)
Ms. Linda Remington
Mrs. Marna Zachry
Rev. Joseph Abraham, JCL
Mrs. Karen Barreras, M.Ed., Superintendent Diocesan Schools
Rev. Robert Chorey, Chancellor, Diocese of Reno
FAQ
Who is on the list?
The following list includes names of priests and religious who served in the 12 counties that currently comprise the Diocese of Reno: Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe. The Diocesan Review Board determined that these men have been credibly accused. None of them are still in ministry. In the first three categories, the clergy and religious were accused of committing sexual abuse of minors in the state of Nevada. Those men listed include:
- diocesan priests incardinated in (formally belonging to) the Diocese of Reno and permanently dedicated to its service;
- diocesan priests incardinated in another diocese who worked on a temporary basis in the Diocese of Reno; and
- religious order priests who worked in the Diocese of Reno.
Also included is:
- a diocesan priest who was ordained for service in another diocese and then transferred to and was incardinated in the Diocese of Reno. Many years after his incardination in Nevada, his diocese of origin (the Archdiocese of Louisville) found credible allegations of sexual abuse committed by him when he was part of the Archdiocese of Louisville and has posted his name on its list of credibly accused.
There are 12 names on the list. Of those, 11 are deceased and the one remaining was removed from ministry in 1974. Some of the accusations of sexual abuse were made after the accused died, but the Diocesan Review Board found evidence to conclude the accusation was credible.
Detailed information on clergy and religious assignments and their dates of service in the Diocese of Reno can be found here. The Review Board will continue to evaluate all information as it is received and this list of names may be updated or expanded at a future date.
The process began with a review of clergy files dating back over 80 years. This review was conducted independently by the Diocesan Review Board, which is primarily comprised of lay men and women with a variety of expertise and experience in areas such as law enforcement, social work, mental health, the practice of law and education. The intent of the file review was to identify clergy who worked in the Diocese of Reno who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor. Determination of credible accusation was based on the presence of one or more of the following factors:
corroborating evidence;
criminal prosecution; or
admission of guilt by the accused.
The Diocesan Review Board:
- Selected members to conduct the initial review of clergy files. These Review Board members evaluated clergy files and identified those needing further review because there might have been potential for sexual abuse of minors. Those files were brought to the full board for examination.
- Developed criteria for credibly accused to be used throughout the review process. Determination of credible accusation was based on the presence of one or more of the following factors:
• corroborating evidence;
• criminal prosecution; or
• admission of guilt by the accused. - Conducted a thorough review of each clergy file that had been flagged for potential abuse of a minor. The committee determined whether the case met the established criteria for credible accusation based on the material available. Those meeting any one of the three criteria were included on the list.
Decisions were made based on review of the available information.
No. All but one are deceased and the one who is living was removed from ministry 45 years ago. Moreover, today, if an allegation is made, the accused is reported to civil authorities as mandated by law, and per our policies which have been in place since 2003, is immediately placed on administrative leave.
This list includes those clergy and religious who served in the 12 counties that currently comprise the Diocese of Reno: Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor in Nevada as determined by the Diocese of Reno. Credibility was based on corroborating evidence, criminal prosecution or admission of guilt. If none of the criteria for credible accusation was met, the person’s name was not included on this list.
It also includes one priest who was ordained for service in another diocese and then transferred to and was incardinated in the Diocese of Reno. Many years after his incardination in Nevada, and a few months before he died, his diocese of origin found credible allegations of sexual abuse committed by him when he was part of the Archdiocese of Louisville and has posted his name on its list of credibly accused. Because he was incardinated in the Diocese of Reno, we chose to include him on our list.
In addition, there are religious and clergy not incardinated in the Diocese of Reno, but who formerly served in the Diocese of Reno, whose names have been placed on lists composed by other dioceses or by religious orders, based on conduct that occurred outside our diocese. They are not included on our list because the Review Board did not have access to the underlying information about the allegations and was unable to investigate those claims. However, the Review Board did examine those clergy files to verify the absence of claims in the Diocese of Reno. None of those persons is in ministry in our Diocese or would be allowed to minister in our diocese.
Why did the Diocese of Reno publish these names?
In 2018 and in the wake of recent national reports of sexual abuse of minors by clergy, Bishop Calvo asked the Diocesan Review Board to examine diocesan policies and procedures established to safeguard young people. In addition, he also asked them to review clergy files to identify cases of credible sexual abuse of minors by clergy in order to publish those names as a matter of transparency and accountability. All of this was done for the safety of our youth and to bring healing to the men and women who were abused.
What exactly is the Diocesan Review Board?
In accordance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the Diocesan Review Board is primarily comprised of lay men and women with a variety of expertise and experience in areas such as law enforcement, social work, mental health, the practice of law, and education. They advise the bishop on matters involving allegations of abuse of minors and vulnerable adults.
The diocese encourages all victims of clergy abuse to report the abuse to civil authorities and to call one of the Diocese of Reno’s Victims’ Assistance Coordinators or the Victims Assistance Hotline. The diocese has provided counseling to those victims desiring it. In some cases, the diocese has also paid settlement claims.
Since 1998, the diocese had paid $1,385,100. Settlements were paid through insurance and from unrestricted general operating funds of the diocese.
No. Funds raised for the Catholic Services Appeal and for the Capital Campaign are restricted in use and can only be used for the purposes identified by those campaigns. Donations made to individual parishes remain in those parishes. Additionally, the Catholic Community Foundation is a separate charitable foundation and those funds may not be used to pay settlement claims.
What is the diocese doing to protect minors from abuse now?
The Diocese of Reno has been in compliance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People for the past 16 years. This Safe Environment Program works to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are protected from harm. Clergy, religious, employees and volunteers in the Diocese of Reno working in a ministry that puts them in contact with children are required to complete the mandatory Safe Environment training. They also undergo a criminal background check. This program is in place in every parish, mission and school in our diocese. Nearly 10,000 people in this diocese have been trained to recognize the signs of abuse and how to report those suspicions to law enforcement since the diocese implemented the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2003. This program mandates that suspected abuse is reported to authorities according to law.
Anyone who has been sexually abused by clergy, a church employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Reno is encouraged to contact civil authorities and the appropriate Victims’ Assistance Coordinator or the Diocesan Office of Safe Environment.
Victim’s Assistance Coordinators are:
- LMFT: 1-844-669-8911
First, civil authorities are notified. Nevada Revised Statutes demand that any suspicion of child abuse must be reported within 24 hours to civil authorities for investigation. If the clergy member, lay employee or volunteer is currently in ministry, he or she is placed on administrative leave. The Diocesan Review Board conducts a review of the matter and advises the bishop on recommended action. Civil authorities conduct their own, independent investigation. If the allegation is found to be credible, then the process established in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People is initiated and could result in sanctions such as the dismissal from the clerical state for clergy or termination of employment/volunteer status for laity.
How does the diocese evaluate the mental and spiritual health of men seeking vocations?
Prior to their full acceptance, candidates to the seminary or permanent diaconate must undergo a complete physical and psychological evaluation. After this initial process, the candidate may formally apply for admission. Prior to admission, the diocesan Seminary Board or Diaconate Formation Board, whichever is appropriate, fully assesses the candidate’s maturity, life experience, character and interpersonal skills as well as any other personal issues that may need to be addressed.
Candidates undergo a thorough background check and are required to complete the mandatory Safe Environment training as well as ongoing education on best practices to ensure the protection of minors. They are also educated on the mandatory reporting requirements in the case of suspected abuse.
Priests of the Diocese of Reno credibly accused of sexual misconduct with a minor
Robert Anderson
Served in the Diocese 1942-1978
Status: Deceased in 1978
List of assignments
Edmund Boyle
Served in Diocese 1943-1986
Status: Deceased 1974
List of assignments
Eugene Braun
Served in the Diocese 1957-1974
Status: Removed from ministry
List of assignments
Robert Despars
Served in the Diocese 1952-1979
Status: Deceased in 1983
List of assignments
William Duff
Served in the Diocese 1963-1993
Status: Deceased 2005
List of assignments
Harold Vieages
Served in the Diocese 1964-1991
Status: Deceased in 2004
List of assignments
Florence Flahive
Served in the Diocese 1940-1958
Status: Deceased in 1958
List of Assignments
Those who belonged to a Religious Community and served within the Diocese of Reno
David Brusky SDS
Served in the Diocese 1973-1975
Status: Deceased in 2014
List of assignments
Stuart Campbell OP
Served in the Diocese 1959-1976
Status: Deceased 1988
List of assignments
Those under the authority of another diocese but served within the Diocese of Reno
Carmelo Baltazar
(Diocese of Malolos Bulacan)
Served in the Diocese 1980
Status: Deceased
List of assignments
Timothy Ryan
(Diocese of Juneau)
Served in the Diocese 1951
Status: Deceased 1960
List of Assignments
Those clergy under the authority of the Diocese of Reno but were accused elsewhere prior to their moving to the Diocese
Robert Bowling (Archdiocese of Louisville)
Served in the Diocese 1969-2002
Status: Deceased 2003
List of assignments
Recently, allegations have been investigated regarding Philip Napolitano FSR, a member of the Brothers of the Holy Rosary here in Reno. These allegations concerned incidents that took place at St. Christopher’s School in Las Vegas between the years 1964-1974. An Administrative Tribunal of the Diocese of Reno, impaneled to conduct a canonical investigation of allegations against Brother Philip Napolitano, concluded that he had sexually abused a minor when he was teaching at St. Christopher’s School, North Las Vegas between 167-1974. In consequence, Philip Napolitano is ordered to live the remainder of his life in prayer and penance, will no longer represent himself as a religious brother, will no longer wear religious garb, and will have no ministry whatsoever in the Roman Catholic Church. Given June 17, 2020.
List of Assignments
Robert Anderson
Sacred Heart (Ely)—–1942- 1944
St. Joan of Arc (Las Vegas)—– 1944
St. Andrews (Boulder City)—–1944-1947
Catholic Welfare (Ely)—–1947
St. Michaels (McGill)—–1947-1948
Bishop Manogue Catholic High School—–1948
Cathedral (Reno)—–1949
St. Albert the Great (Reno)—– 1950-1952
Immaculate Conception (Sparks)—–1952-1952
St. Patricks (Fallon)—–1953
Cathedral (Reno)—–1953-1961
St. Christopher (N. Las Vegas)—–1962-1963
St. Peter the Apostle ( Henderson)—–1963-1969
Our Lady of Tahoe (Zephyr Cove)—–1969-1978
Cathedral (Reno)—–1978
Edmund Boyle
Cathedral (Reno)—–1943
St. Therese of the Little Flower (Reno)—–1947
St. Michael’s (McGill)—–1948
Sacred Heart( Ely)——1949
Cathedral (Reno)—–1950
St. Patricks (Fallon)—–1951
Cathedral (Reno)—–1951
Diocese of Salt Lake City—–1952-1955
Leave of Absence—–1955-1958
St. Joseph’s( Elko)—–1958-1961
Incardinated in Archdiocese of Seattle—–1961
St. Mary’s Hospital (Reno)—–1966
Eugene Braun
Our Lady of the Snows( Reno)—–1957
Our Lady of Perpetual Help ( Hawthorne)—–1957
St. Christopher’s (Las Vegas)—–1957
St. Joan of Arc (Las Vegas)—–1958
St. Teresa of Avila (Carson City)—–1958
St. Therese of the Little Flower (Reno)—–1959
St. Josephs (Elko)—–1960
Our Lady of the Snows(Reno)—-1961
St. John Vianney (Las Vegas)—–1963
St. John Bosco (Battle Mountain)—-1964
Leave of Absence—–1965
St. Francis de Sales(Las Vegas)—-1970
removed from ministry—–1974
Robert Despars
Cathedral (Reno)—–1952-1953
St. Albert the Great (Reno)—–1953-1954
Our Lady of Perpetual Help(Hawthorne)—–1954
Bishop Manogue Catholic High School–1954-1962
Cathedral (Reno)—–1962
Holy Family (Yerington)—–1962-1967
St. Christopher (Las Vegas)—–1968-1970
St. Therese of the Little Flower (Reno) 1970-1975
St. Bridget’s (Las Vegas)—–1975-1979
William Duff
St. Albert the Great (Reno)—–1963-1964
St. Peter the Apostle (Henderson)—–1964-1965
Immaculate Conception (Sparks)—–1965-1965
St. Joseph (Elko)—–1965-1968
Our Lady of Las Vegas (Las Vegas)—–1968-1968
Our Lady of the Snows(Reno)—–1968-1970
St. Thomas Aquinas (Wells)—–1970-1973
Sick Leave—–1973
Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Hawthorne)—–1973-1974
Cathedral (Reno)—–1974-1976
Sick Leave—–1976
St. Therese of the LIttle Flower (Reno)—–1976-1977
St. Albert the Great (Reno)—–1977-1978
St. Francis de Sales (Las Vegas)—–1978-1982
St. John Bosco (Battle Mountain)—–1982-1988
St. Francis de Sales (Las Vegas)—–1988-1993
Retired—–1993
Florence Flahive
Cathedral (Reno)—1940
St. Joan of Arc (Las Vegas)—1940-1941
Our Lady of the Snows (Reno)—1942-1943
St. Josephs (Elko)–1943-1944
St. Michaels (McGill)–1944-1947
St. Brendans (Eureka)–1947-1948
St. Andrews (Boulder City)–1949-1950
Sacred Heart (Ely)–1951
Holy Family(Yerington)–1952-1958
Harold Vieages
St. Albert the Great (Reno)—–1964-1966
Our Lady of Las Vegas (Las Vegas)—–1966-1968
St. Teresa of Avila (Carson City)—–1968-1971
St. John the Baptist (Lovelock)—–1971-1988
Holy Family (Yerington)—–1988-1991
Retired—–1991
David Brusky SDS
Our Lady of the Snows (Reno)—-1973-1973
St. Teresa of Avila (Carson City)—–1974
St. Albert the Great (Reno)—–1974-1975
Stuart Campbell OP
Cathedral (Reno)—–1959-1960
St. Albert the Great (Reno)—–1960-1961
St. Thomas Aquinas (Wells)—–1960-1963
St. John Bosco (Battle Mountain)—–1963-1964
St. Teresa of Avila (Carson City)—–1964-1965
Our Lady of Las Vegas (Las Vegas)—–1966-1970
Our Lady of the Snows (Reno)—–1970-1971
St. Robert Bellarmine (Fernley)—–1971-1973
St. Patricks (Tonopah)—–1973
St. Mary’s (Virginia City)—–1974
Retired—–1976
Carmelo Baltazar
Washoe Medical (Reno)—–1980
Timothy Ryan
St. Brendans (Eureka)—1953-1954
Holy Child (Caliente) —1955-1959
Robert Bowling
Our Lady of Las Vegas (Las Vegas)—–1969-1971
St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral (Reno)—–1971-1974
St. Therese of the Little Flower (Reno)—–1974-2002
The Diocese of Reno is committed to the safety of our children and vulnerable adults.
We are in full compliance with the Dallas Charter and remain diligent in maintaining this compliance.
Through the “Protecting God’s Children” program we train all adults who are employed as well as those who volunteer within our parishes and agencies who have contact with children. This training helps all to be more aware of how to protect children and vulnerable adults, and also the possible warning signs of abuse and neglect.
As well, each year all children within our Religious Education programs and within our schools are provided the opportunity to participate in Personal Safety.
Together, all of us working together, can help to create safe environments in our parish, schools, facilities and even beyond.