Effinger, William J. - Jeff Anderson & Associates

178 Pages·2013·7.72 MB·English

Abuse/Church kept
transferring priest >
From page 1 signed Kffmgcr lo St. Pcier of
Alcantara, a parish in Fori
?ublie file obtained Monday Washington. Later in 1979, -he
he Journal, Those briefs moved to Holy Name in Sheboy
give a summary of what ihe de* gan.
positions contain.
Graham's report said that al
29 REPORTS OF ABUSE though he did not think Efllngcr
gtAhicev Fcep onarrrno d biihilnneegdm ilc ionatfttoi o plniem dooef.p thHhieilt e s crpcorcpicen rtodsfi awwdloiactpsoh hh pipolrrlii oamcbma,l reiihmglyhes t hiwnop marthesoes swe efnioxxtru truaierEl edf.of irn tpgheea-ri
Elliott's pTicf. "Someone of significant ecclt-
there vtcjt 29 sinsiical stature ought to chew
reports of sexu him out royally," Graham was
al abuse of quoted as saying.
children by
pricsis between lifTin^r tCItJfttd thai no'one
the time Arch> inmniurcd or supervised iii^. con Timeliness of complaints
fu'flhon \\tm- tact n-iil] children while at FfhlV
bcrt Wcakbrul Nit me Alllui.i£li Wertklnric]
nrrivct} in Mil talked to him about one of (he is left for jury to decide
waukee in Sexual abuse complaints, EfTm
t1r9n7tb7e ra n1d5 952*. 0- EjDWFfl tgyer, "w aacsc onrodti n^gc htoe wcoeudr t oruecto rrodysa. l
Lt is unclear how many oi' A jurv will have to determine court to determine whether the
those ceimnlmni? were fried by INFORMATION WITHHELD whether five adults who say they church properly supervised, f^f-
multiple victims accusing it sin- Weak)and, acenrdmg tn-fil- were sexually abused as children finger.
Hie rrical. lioU's brief, "dcJIheratcfy .and hy I-oi Iter William Ef linger acicd The state t'rlvello sunt,.c$>
huaalv '\ehn >ba' m poetl,u iccaynh ddir mjiutr rehdiacins sn decohvciefsrd csnoeo*n)-- plfiruoornmp o saeIbfhuoleuly tp *a*Es ftwTorii niltialeurn-'skd J romtihn>fei»orUsf rrmn'a«iti' TqCuroiiuvenetltlylyo Ch,eiirsnc ouruiutt gthJJ.u, djteM iPlwrianut kTee. pcnhrututa rtceh do ents eusrpametmrivndies imonaw lthewen tnhtse u.rif;ol-ji; tihjiu.e»
duued a program m edutJiLc Holy Name. In pretrial rnotitmi Mondiy prayer life, but s^itt it could eval
leather* and administrators of "Archbishop Weakland con lowyeti for wthtmt and the uate how well it priest vtas stJnJ?-
ihtfjr obNginirn h> repr>it JUS- cedes that this would have^bcen chuidi anjtinl Hint ri>urmenjni1 vised in his dany denlm^virith
prctcd ejuft of seiunl tthuse Of of grave concern to any patfish, o wnni.in who have sought dvil porishioncrs.
•! "!•.! 111 «• i =. !::•'!•.:.? and there was serious probability <Jjii»n|tr» Ibc the alirjcd abuw A number ul civil Jnwkui'Ls
According tn OIJou's briefs, that had Archbishop Weakfehd hricw or ihe wrong fulness of ihe have been brought regardifti-Ef-
urt'hdjot.L«an officials who trive made his disclosures, Effitigcr SB-IUII SL'II wlh ilte pneiti and finger, 60, who is now scrPih±a
testimony in dupf^ilEom said probably would have been limit that it caused them harm, hut 10-year prison sentence fot'^the
I hey nil UltLM:d flic compjami* ed or unable to function lit'the they did not act lirfure ilit stat second-degree sexual assault'of a
LhnL Eifingcr had sexually abu.s'td parish," Elliott says in his brief ute of limitations to tih- siitti 14-ycar-old Shebovgan boy in
children. mni[)!:unn eiplred. 1988. J ,
The court briefs grv* this f-atner Jamfi liess, a Ppcst Scott Roeder and Ncai 'P*t\-
summary o!" Effingcr** hisiory ^ho served with FfTinger'from The fLsur is a enielal one for tenbath nrc lw.* of Ihe prooic
and tifiw the archdiocese him* I9&t until i'JSJat^loJyNarwin those attempting to seek dam- who have filed di'll :.-.,,,:•
i.kd complnipit against the Shcboyyan, laid he wouhj not ages for asinc they esperien«d ngainsi Effinger, ihe Milwaukee
priest: have accepted fifflm^'s assign at children, often years in Ihe Archdioceie and their fMmjr
Effinger had a poor scholastic ment Imd he known of ihe s,extjal past. The Inohility of the state to parishes. Rocdtr. 37. nllegedl)
record in the seminary, finishing Abttcc compbrnK -«-« prosecuie those ucmsctl of MIL* was abused in the luwi'. 's( St
32nd of 34 students. His disci imuoiiduct and the. dtilicnlty of Mary's Ctthdit, Church in K»-
hp"hcaiailsmi tb nTc ihaphtr eweyoUr asdPrsodge n aectaannohnlderaidd triy av s lwee hiwna eassnai sstcwois cvneartelshes.ys* g m*"asf asroedilmronehwtd e ao oantnodsfe lgttliiiouijmaAmaIregkvpnsea lc .it aiBeiihuinilnsr cthtai ton rdpFet, fco itoIl h orreedigoones w,r uR -stNmeelildt«ci ir rrsfafoKi)mui ylie AWd-lja'tu*innev- 1 iscetniemdo e snO!oku niJc opnt h£rug U batrhclnlauiieotcvi ew tissdlht , e aedtrrton ua mttseeies a easeokunm efda, litiph mCaieosilr tmiiamcvtpreiiKionlelntaott*l - Snh(llhaoinlvesBTthbeitw toii yco. aag tFtsamr eicnesehh d nri cp:,nea lhpnnudads cri mnehagm,n lus3eb'o sSeim, fh oaoslrnimt^i rpe''.iCv rHrltiiinnfo -
who can ketp him busy.* Fnther Jnsrco_h Jam^kLf sn ruled that it is noi a violation of vello have filed their laM-suits
Weak Inn rt 1 c si i fi-r d in CGtm anrhtfitKeson omcial fram Jm1 the First Amendment protection under aliases ',
document* that Lll index's settii- ihifm^h 19S5, said it wa? iifJTtJc of free exercise of religion for a — Marie fto/iili'
nary rc<;o:d was so bad ihut he arthdiocfsc's policy lo irTl n f.ar-
hoped titndi- tffa of n priest's drut or AUOIHJI
dales hfcc i:r problem^.
finger would
not be or- Janicki testified that in 1^83
dni'ii.il H'rtJiiy he talked to Eflinger abouT'the
EfflllJ!^IrE problem, but made no inquiries
lo prevent abuse.
ft**! ii\;-ifli-
meiHwmaE SI. Janicki also testified that 'he
rMaiVs Oil bo- was "aware that Eflinger'^Upk
He rhtirch in boys to a cottage up north and
iCtJIi'rlllii. ll\ thai Weakland had been tpjd1 in
Itfol he br- uriting about the trip.
came chaplain WntKUM Around this lime, Effinger
for Scot! litift organ nations m Kc* was sent to Anthony Gillette; a
rtujltr CtKiniy. mid i« IVtift \tv Wausau psychologist, fcrevaiua-
was the director for ihe- county's tion. He reported to the arcJSdto-
Catholic Youth Cirpunirnihm. cese that Effingcr admiitedHhai
lt was unclear from Elliott's he had had sexual contact with a
brief exactly when (he first alle number iif youihs over (he yean,
ggaerti. oOnsn ew eoref imhea dael leaggeadin svt icEtfimfins-, SheAbfotyegr anS>c otitnt e IoRTo eEd(efirn, geTr'jst jjotlf*
who filed his lawsuit under an icged ^clims^ cantfi fonvBtd in
alias, said he went to ihe princi late Septtmbtrr Imi, the arylidi-
pal at St. Mary's elementary occw eomidercvl .'• LTn*linp' HUiit-
school to report thai he and his gvr to Llit Gutsi Hoiiie m f^^)'-
brothers and sisters were being MTcr, Mmn.H lor mpjiljrnl ircnt-
abused by the priest. ntent.
Ftither Thomas Venne. appih-
COUNSELING PHOVIDED er diocesan ofificial, said thai be
In 1979, a couple from Si. cause Effingcr had served ,^ol>
Francis de Sales parish in Lake Name for 12 years, parishioners
Geneva, where Effinger was next would simply be told that his
assigned, wrole Weakland and lerm had expired.
said their son had been abused "Venne testified thai had
on Easter Sunday. Weakland there been nr> rptfUl (rawtotfoB
I sent Effinger to a Milwaukee of Roedej'i c^inrUnint. Holy-
therapist, Leo Graham, for coun Name Parish would noi have
seling. been (old ihe true tewm ilie
Before receiving the reporl archdiocese removed Effinger,?'
. from Graham, Wcakland as- Elliou said in his briefs.
ADOM008478
JOURNAL 11/9/93
Officials believed priest abused
kids but kept quiet, records say
By MARIE ROHM lor sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy at Holy
31993 The Mggrauhwi Journal Name Catholic Charch in Sheboygan, the last par
ish where Effingcrserved,
Time after time, officials of the Milwaukee Cath He, ihe archdiocese and the parishes *her*
olic Archdiocese were made aware of "believable trfmgrr KCntd ;ITC also being stud in i.i-.-i] couri by
•it. - UILOM;. ' that Father William lEITingef had st\u- a number of men nnd ^'oiiwn ^vho cliim ihey wore
ally abustd LLhi1i5rcn and had a drinking pmhlfm vieiim^ed by ihe priest when ihey wwt children.
Hut the troubled mien WW moved quietly front La^tuiu broughT by five of ihow altered victim;
parish to parish wiiWn iinyone being warned of Are pending hemic Milwaukee Qniniy Clrtufi
the allegations or of xny h;.rm he might cause. JudilL* Frank f. Crivelto At the request of defense
IIHICCLI, if their bad bden no public: in of o Ijiwy-m, Orvdio has oakiftJ thill lesmmwy tjicn
tnmphimt filed b> ScoH ttoeJer, nt> unc yfflUld in pretrial depositions from several top 1u:al church
hove Itomeil the true reason for his ncJiwvul fmm [jfliciaLs not be made public.
his last parish, according to testimony quoted In However, briefs filed by Robert Elliott, a lawyer
court documents made public at a reporter's re representing the alleged victims, are part of the
quest.
Eflinger, 60 is serving a 10-year prison sentence Please see Abuse page t
L&v**)
ADOM008479
1JKEE JOURNAL
State
* Tuesday Ociobcr27,1992
Sheboygan priest in treatment
after allegation of sex abuse
By MARIE ROHDE staff. pa ns! tinners and others re and moved to Sheboygan.iwhcrc
Journal religion reporter garding the allegations made public two of his children attend11 Holy
by the alleged victim on W1SN-TV Name elementary school. He said
A Roman Catholic priest who (Channel 12). he did not report the incident until
was removed as pastor of a She- Sexual abuse of children by learning that Effinger was the par
. boygan parish because of allega Catholic priests and allegations that ish pastor. He said he feared other
tions thai he sexually abused a the church has not reacted appro children, including his own? could
youth 23 years ago was immediate* priately to such charges have he abused by the priest.
ly placed in a ireatmeni program, rocked ihe church in recent years. Channel 12 played a taped con
according to a Milwaukee Archdio \ number of civil and criminal versation the man allegedly had
cese spokesman. lawsuits have been filed in Milwau with the priest and one of'fts re
However, ihe spokesman conk! kee and uificr dioceses, porters also interviewed the priest.
not say why arch diocesan leaders Last mouth, Weakland told who did not deny the man's allega
allowed Father William J. Effinger pnests who gathered for a closed- tions.
to continue as pastor of Hffly door meeting that any priest who Channel 12 also broadcasr'com-
Name Catholic Church for several was accused of sexual misconduct ments from a young woman11 who
weeks aftenthey were aware of the would not receive a pastoral assign alleged thai Effinger fondled her
complaint and Effinger announced ment, Three priests who have been breasts and approached her. two
he was resigning for persona! rea accused of such conduct are cur younger brothers. Channel 12
sons. Effinger has been at the par rently assigned to routine clerical News Director Fred D'Am'brosi
ish for about 13 years. work. said the woman was a minor/at the
Archbishop Rembcrt Weakland Several years ago, Weakland time of the incident. ••A
said be personally would respond wrote thai he could not force a Police said no complaints had
to any inquiries from the media man to resign from the priesthood been filed against the priest.
regarding ilie situation. Weakland The man who accused Effinger Neither the man nor the young
first went to Holy Name Catholic said the sexual abuse happened 23 woman were named, and-their
Church in Shebuygan, where he years ago in Kenosha. The man, faces were electronically disguised
met with parish employes, school now in his 30s. has since married on camera.
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ADOM008522
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Wednesday,,0cipb^;)28,1992--Latest Edition M
Church's reaction tp '•' could continue, parish work, his jibrupt depurture. Prom the unwrit-. gcr made about 14 years ago. Weakland said h;H was .assured "J?
•decision "may have been a bad jer. atvhdtocsHin policy ofmating We;Hand said: year later thai" Effinjer could bS'
reports of sex abuse has ; judgment.calf." . "° 'V; tm!* ths most minimal public" rate-. : The farijily csrr.eto ice me but assigned to 'another-, parish Witis
Weakland said that if. he heard hicnts when a priest is accused of they didn't'want; to presi charges.- I. -ihe reassignrTicnL',Weaklard;Sata;;
evolved, archbishop says
cf a pnest abusing a'child todays he iny," misconduct, especially ;se»ual seru:.him [Effinger! for'psyih'oicgi- he required-Efflnjer tosuorntt'-fci^:
would call the police, [misconduct. Generally, priests" re cal evaluation and would'noi reas batiery ofpsychoiopcal lesisever/;
By VtAHIE ROHDE Weaiiand talked about the sign for "personal reasons," and sign him imti) a psythiairis! told two years '—' .1 move th^t wfJF '
til 992. ?l« mftaiJiM Journal _ problems of the pries!. Father Wil parishioners learn of events me he was wdi enough io handle beyond what: was generally recom
liam J. Effinger, who stepped down through news accounts. it." mended at the lime-by psycho!^-.
When Archbishop Rcroiert Sunday as pastor of Sheboygait's The lotah who said, he was . In those, days, Weakland said, cal authorities - ". ,<s'
Weakland learned of allegations Holy Name Catholic Church -after abused by Hffmger recently con sexual abuse of children was .not "That'may have been a" biitfi
thai a priest was sejaially abusing^ admitting to new charts that he tacted • the archdiocese and taken as seriously as it is today. judgment tall, tut 1 tnoLgrx ti-wat
young boy I-1 years ago, he fol xxuaUy abused another" boy; who WISX-TV (Channel 12). He save . .^Psychologis:s didn't.under doing more ihan was rving recrirn'ii
lowed the advice of psychologists" was 13. 23 years ago. He also dis •to the television station a tape re stand the implications.oi' sexual mended," Weakland .said SEwatJ
and In him continue pasioral work. cussed he* the ehureh had dealt cording of a. conversation in which' abuse cm children;" he said, "ft was" wiih the tests,! wa.sgetting'warned!
3m in 3 nmartably candid in with such accusal ions" in the past the priest acknowledged tile abuse • btltcicd thai childrenjiefetioiful abqut him recently' beoutse of bjjil
terview wiih The Jouaut on Tues and ho* American bishops, were pnd also said he had abused one- ly developed pyscho-seiLdally and excessive drinking Hijjdrintfjflgl
JlRCHBlSHOP REMBEfIT WEAKLAND day, Weakland acknowledged thai now wrestling with ihe problem. athcrchildycaraaso. ' •, i jjp thai ttic abase -would have no las>
questeiS'aiLd^ent caS. despite assurances !hat the priest WeakUnd's" candor was an i Of the accusation against Effin ingimpact ™ -• . ft^^-jtrt- weak land page 17.;" "y<j
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Catholic Church A\ji_u/. 3i,uSL/-Wi- Jojai/fi
Sheboygan priest on leavej
after claim of sex abuse •(
Effinger admits to and knew lhat Effingcr was it
priest, although he did not attend
incident that man says Eflingcr*s parish. , i
occurred 20 years ago INCIDENT DESCWB6D ,'
Effinger came lo the restaurant
By MARIE ROHDE where ihe alleged victim worked,
journal roigon tenoner had a beer and ihcn ollerect to give
the boy a ride home, the man said
Eaihcr William J. Effinger. pas in the Channel 12 interview. In
tor of Holy Nnme Catholic Church stead, he drove the boy 10 an area
in Sheboygan, has been placed on that is now ihe Bong Rceiration
administrative leave aficr a man Ccnier nnd performed oral sex on
complained itint (he priest abused the boy He ihcn draw the boy
him when he was a child more than home,
20 years ago while at another The incident never was reported
church. to anyone, (he man said. .
The man. who is nuw mamcd The mon, wearing a concealed
nnd has children attending Holy tape recorder, recently confronted
Name's elementary school, said he Effinger and Effinger acknowl
was abused by b'ffingcr in Kenosha edged ihe incident tiad occurred. In
when he was 13. He loki no one of icsponsc to Ihe man's nuestions, he
the incident until he learned that said there liad been one other
Effinger was at Holy Name. The yoath. wiih whom he had been
man said he was concerned thul sexuallj involved. [
cither children, including his own, Tlic man said he had been inter
could be molested by the priest. viewed by a psychologist seiu by
On FJiday. Eflinger was inter ihe archdiocese who ^determined
viewed by reporter Angie Morcschi lhat his complaint could be credi
of WISN-TV (Channel I2J, He ac ble The man then wits ink! ilw
knowledged in a report aired Sun prrcit would be reassigned wilhin a
day lhat he had sexual ermlaci witii month,
the alleged vieiim, Although police sources said
The aichdiocesc had no enm- there have been rumors lhal Effin
ntctil on the allegations bill eon. ger was being investigated by other
firmed lhat Effinger had been police jurisdictions Valeric Black,
pbLcd on administrative leave, a ihe school principal, said she and
move lhat look many in ihe parish others were unaware of the allega
by surprise, tions until viewing |he Channel 12
Archbishop Rcinberi Weakland, report Sunday night.
Chancellor Ralph Uross and others
were meeting Monday and a smic- Black said Effinger, who has
menl could be released later, ac been a! the parish for 13 years, is
cording lo Tather Leonard Van wcll-likcd and respected in the par- •
Vhiendercn, WcakJimd's secrelnry- ish Although Ihe r™st |laf( |llt|,
Effotts to reach Effingcr for contact with the students in the
comment Monday were unsuccess school, a group of counselors were
ful. scheduled lo come to ihe school
- In Ihe Channel 12 report Sun- Monday morning to work wiih the
"day night, the man said he decided students, she said."
to go public wilh the allegations Another priest. Father Peter
after he look them to ihe Milwau Bums, was convicted in April of
kee Calliolie Archdiocese and was second-degree sexual assault of a
told that the priest would be re 13-year-old boy, an incident that
moved wnhin a monih, according occurred in Ihe rectory of another
to 1 red D'Ambrosi, I lie W]SN .Sheboygan Catholic church, St. Pe
news director, ter Clave r.
D'Ambrosi said tiie Sunday seg Originally, he had been charged
ment, which ran about seven min- with three counts of second-degree
illcs, was the lust rtf a scries Oft the sexual assault, but lhat was reduced '
topic. to a single OOBIH as pan of a plea
The man. wimsc image was ut bargain. He'Was sentenced to nine
tered clcctronicaliy by Channel 12, months in jail and 10 years of
snid he was working its it biLs boy in probation. He now is working in
a Kenosha tcjUiUTanl when he met the Milwaukee Catholic archdioce- i
the priest. The man was a Catholic sail chancery--. /•'
ADOM008526
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ADOM008529
June 21, I960
The Rev. William J, Effinger
ihorewood, Wisconsin
Dear Father Effinger:
This letter is to inform you that you are herewith
appointed Assistant at St, Mary's Parish, Kenosha, effective
Thursday, July 7, i960. You will kindly report on that date to
the pastor, Father Raymond Leng.
Under separate cover you will receive a signed
copy of the Faculties of the Archdiocese.
May I again assure you that you are always most
welcome to discuss any of your problems with me,
With the warmest of personal regards and wishing
you God's choicest blessings in your priestly work, 1 am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Archbishop of Milwaukee
fr^ 0
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ADOM008548
January 30. 1961
The Rev« William J. Eflinger
Kenosha, Wisconsin
pear Father Effinger;
At the request of Father Verhalen, divisional
Spiritual Director for the area, and Father Knoernschild, the
Archdiocesan Scout Chaplain, I am asking you to serve aa
Scout Chaplain for Division 6 which embraces the Kenosha area.
Tour interest in the work prompts me to second the
choice of the above-mentioned priests and I wish you every
spiritual joy in your discharge o£ the attendant duties.
With warm personal regards, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend William £« Cousins
Archbishop of Milwaukee
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ADOM008549
August 28, 2,963
The Reverend William $gg$j%f»x
/
6t» Mary'8 Faxieh
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Dear Father Effingers
X hereby appoint you an Instructor of Religion at
St* Joseph's High School* Kenosha* for the coming scholastic
year*
Please report to Father L* A. oamleder, principal
of St. Joseph's Sigh School* as soon as possible»
With warm personal regards* 2 am
Sincerely yours in Christ*
Most fteverend William B» Cousins
Archbishop of Milwaukee
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ADOM008550
February 13, 1964
Tha Rev. William Kffinger
Kenosha» Wisconsin 53140
Dear Father Effinger*
At the recommendation of Father James Doheay and
because 1 am aware of your interest in Vocations* I &ro appointing
you as an Associate Dirsctor for our Program, lam confident
that your zeal and dedication will find modes of expression that
will be of great help in this very important field.
You are asked to attend a meeting to be held in the basement
hall of the Cathedral Rectory at ZlOG on the afternoon of Wednesday,
February 19th. At this time'your duties will be more clearly
defined.
Looking forward to the privilege of greeting you personally
at this meeting, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend William E, Cousins
Archbishop of Milwaukee
FY
ADOM008551