Kalamazoo Diocese releases list of those disqualified from working with kids
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — With the bishop anticipating the release of a state investigation into sexual abuse linked to the Catholic church, the Diocese of Kalamazoo on Thursday published a list of people who cannot work with children.
The people on the list have been deemed by the diocese to have been “credibly accused” — though not necessarily convicted in a court of law — of actions that disqualify them from working or volunteering with children at any parish, school, agency or institution within the Diocese of Kalamazoo.
“Individuals appear on this list because — again, I underscore, in the judgment of the Diocese of Kalamazoo — they have been credibly accused of actions that put children and youth at risk or, worse, that caused real and lasting harm,” Bishop Edward Lohse said at a Thursday morning news conference. “These actions disqualify and prohibit them from working or volunteering with children or youth.”
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According to the diocese, these actions include continued violation of a child-protection policy after warnings, failing as a mandated reporter to report allegations of abuse of minors, failing to act to prevent abuse that they knew to be happening, giving pornography to minors, the possession/use of child pornography, physical abuse of minors, or direct sexual abuse or sexual assault of minors.
Six living individuals whose actions occurred within the Kalamazoo diocese are named on the list. Three of them are clergy members who have been forbidden to function as priests: Richard Fritz, of Lakeport; Brian Stanley, of Coloma; and Leroy White, of Davison. The other three are Douglas Butler, of Battle Creek, who was a Cub Scout committee member; Joey Gallaway, of Battle Creek, who was a playground supervisor; and Nathan Lavoie, of Grand Rapids, who was a choir director.
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The list also includes five other individuals, both living and dead, who are accused of having committed disqualifying actions outside of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, as well as six individuals who are dead.
“With their inclusion, we are beginning a process whereby we as a diocese must not only look forward to preventing abuse in the future, but also look backward to take ownership of our past,” Lohse said. “Today’s list is a start in that direction.”
The list can be found at www.diokzoo.org/protect. It is part of the diocese’s effort to review and update all of its policies protecting children and youth.
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Previously, Lohse said, adults who work with youth have had to complete background checks and go through a safe environment program.
“However, we are always striving to remain vigilant and to do everything we can to create the safest possible environment for our children,” he said.
The bishop explained that the diocese is reviewing its policies for three main reasons: to protect children by creating safe environments, teach the community to recognize predatory behavior and “work toward eradicating all the forms of child abuse wherever we can.”
A final set of updated policies will be released this summer.
Lohse said he expects the Michigan Department of Attorney General to publish its report on the Diocese of Kalamazoo later this spring.
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“When that report is published, it will necessitate an even greater coming to terms with our past,” he said. “But I am convinced if we are to move forward into the future as a diocese, we must come to terms with our past.”
Lohse said the process of creating a list began in 2018 but was put on hold.
“I apologize that it has taken us so long,” he said. “In many ways, this perhaps should have been done a lot sooner. I came in July and it has been a priority of mine since I came.”
The bishop came to Kalamazoo from the Diocese of Erie in Pennsylvania.
“My experience in Pennsylvania told me we have to move ahead with this,” he said.
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Lohse said he acknowledged the pain and suffering of all survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
“I’ve met with numerous survivors of childhood sexual abuse. I have heard their stories. We can never forget that behind these stories, there are real people who have experienced deep hurt,” he said. “I sincerely apologize for any way in which we as the Diocese of Kalamazoo contributed to that suffering.”
The bishop said he is committed to meeting with “anyone who suffered abuse at the hands of someone employed or volunteering in the name of the church.”
“I was absolutely thrilled that this Bishop had decided to do that,” said Ann Phillip Browning, a victim of one of the people listed. “However, it was also very emotionally triggering for me. It triggered not only memories of my abuse, but all my feelings and emotions wrapped up in the Catholic Church, and the accountability of the Catholic Church.”
Melanie Sakoda, survivor’s support director for Survivor’s Network of Those Abused by Priests Survivors said she thinks the list could be even better if it included photos or a bit more information.
“That’s really helpful for people because a lot of times (for) children, you know, it’s Father Jim or Father Bob. You know? They don’t have a last name,” said Melanie Sakoda, survivor’s support director for Survivors Network of Those Abused By Priests Survivors. “Not only, whether they were accused of sex abuse and that’s why they were removed, or whether it was failing to follow the guidelines with working with children, or physical abuse, or whatever it is. It would be nice to know that.”
The Diocese of Grand Rapids is now the only Catholic diocese in Michigan that has not published a full list of clergy members who have faced credible allegations. In a statement to News 8 Thursday, the diocese asserted that it does release information when new credible allegations arise.
“The Diocese of Grand Rapids continues to make known to the public and the media when an individual is removed from ministry due to a credible abuse allegation,” the statement said. “We continue to cooperate fully with the Department of the Attorney General in its investigation. Our comprehensive safe environment policies and procedures have been in place since 2002 and continue to be rigorously enforced within the diocese.”
A spokesperson for the Michigan Attorney General’s Office sent a statement to News 8 Thursday evening.
“The Attorney General’s investigation into clergy abuse at the seven Catholic Dioceses of Michigan remains ongoing, and we continue to issue diocese-specific reports on our findings.
“Today’s announced policy review and reform intentions are positive developments and brings the Diocese of Kalamazoo in-line with other dioceses publicly naming their abusive clergy. We commend Bishop Lohse for his leadership and thank him for his efforts to keep his community safe from the living suspected offenders. It is our hope that abuse victims of both the living and deceased suspected offenders feel their trauma is seen and acknowledged by today’s release and that it may bring them some measure of peace and healing to see their abuser publicly named for what they knew them to be.”
To report abuse by any member of the clergy to the state attorney general, you can call 844.324.3374. The state also has resources for all victims of sexual abuse at 855.864.2374.
The diocese encourages survivors of childhood sexual abuse to call the Catholic Charities’s 24-hour crisis hotline at 800.873.8336. It also offers a free 10-week program called the Trauma Recovery Program.
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