Safeguarding

Safeguarding Ministry

Report Sexual Abuse by Church Persons Below:

Phone

Victim Assistance Coordinator:
(509) 353-0442 

Vicar for Priests:
(509) 466-0220 

If you are unsure of how best to do this, contact any of the people listed above.

Letter

Addressed to any of the following: 

  • Bishop Thomas Daly

  • Diocesan Vicar General 

  • Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator

Mark your letter "Personal and Confidential"

Catholic Diocese of Spokane
P.O. Box 1453
Spokane, WA 99210-1453

Online

Please fill out the confidential form linked below:

Online Reporting Form

Another option: You may request that your counselor or attorney contact us.

Our Commitment

If you are a victim of sexual abuse, our first obligation is to provide you and your family a safe and compassionate place to report abuse and receive pastoral care and counseling support.  We echo Pope Francis' words to survivors: "Words cannot fully express our sorrow for the abuse you suffered, and I am profoundly sorry that your innocence was violated by those you trusted."

Your contact is very important to us. We know that it takes great courage for a person who has experienced abuse by a Church Person to reach out to that same church to report abuse and seek help.  We encourage you to contact us directly at (509) 353-0442.

    • Rev Luke Tomson, Rector, Bishop White Seminary

    • Rev. Pat Kerst, Vicar for Priests

    • Deacon Brian Ernst, Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, practicing attorney

    • Angela Early, MHP, Counselor in trauma-informed care; Review Board Vice Chair

    • Katie Rieckers, retired Director of Catholic Schools

    • Judi Carl, retired Spokane Police Department Detective

    • John Sheveland, Ph.D., Gonzaga University Professor of Religious Education, research, publishing and teaching in theology and safeguarding; Review Board Chair; two-term member of USCCB National Review Board

    • Victoria Loveland Executive Director of Safeguarding Ministry - Staff Representative

  • Liturgical Resources

    Way of the Cross for Survivors

    Rosary Guide for Healing and Protection English | Spanish
    "Promise to Protect" Prayer Card Bilingual

    St. George Counseling Services

    Resources from Survivor-Led Organizations

    Spirit Fire

    Spirit Fire is a survivor-led organization founded by two survivors, Teresa Pitt Green and Luis Torres, in order to share their stories and provide avenues of healing for other victim/survivors of clergy abuse.

    The Maria Goretti Network

    Maria Goretti Network is another survivor-led organization committed to healing and reconciliation for victim/survivors of abuse.

    Awake Milwaukee

    awakemilwaukee.org - Awakening our community to the full reality of sex abuse in our Church and provide resources by listening, learning and leading

    Advocacy and Resistance

    Be the Change you Wish to See - More Info

    Zoom Support Group for Family, Relatives and Friends of Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse

    USCCB CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH RESOURCE BOOKLET

  • ADMITTED, PROVEN OR CREDIBLY ACCUSED CLERGY

    NON-MONETARY UNDERTAKINGS OF THE SPOKANE CATHOLIC DIOCESE
    UNDER THE SECOND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

    Pursuant to Article 26 of the Second Plan of Reorganization, the Catholic Diocese of Spokane will post on its website the names of all known Spokane Diocesan clergy, religious order clergy not incardinated in the Catholic Diocese of Spokane who nevertheless were functioning as clergy in and for the Spokane Diocese, and other religious order clergy and religious that served within the Catholic Diocese of Spokane who are admitted, proven or credibly accused perpetrators of sexual abuse. For any perpetrator of abuse who was a Spokane Diocesan clergy and is deceased, the name of that perpetrator will be posted in accordance with the policy of the Review Board of the Spokane Diocese which provides for publication of the name of the deceased perpetrator against whom a credible allegation of sexual abuse has been made only if that posting is requested by a victim of that perpetrator.

    Spokane Diocesan Clergy

    Reinard Beaver*
    Garry Boulden*
    Theodore Bradley* (deceased - 2023)
    Joseph Knecht (deceased -1956)
    Otto Koltzenberg* (deceased - 2023)
    Arthur Mertens* (deceased - 2011)
    Patrick O’Donnell*
    James O’Malley* (deceased - 2007)
    Bernard “Benno” Oosterman* (deceased - 2011)
    Joseph Pineau (deceased - 1982)
    Theophilus Pypers (deceased - 1957)
    Daniel Wetzler*

    *Indicates diocesan clergy who have also been removed from ministry pursuant to the provisions of The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which was approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in June 2002. 

    Jesuit Clergy/Religious

    John Coughlin (deceased – 1965?)
    Dominic Doyle (deceased - 2005)
    Michael Kosak (seminarian – dismissed)
    John Leary (deceased - 1993)
    John McDonald (deceased - 1985)
    Fenton Melia (deceased - 2008)
    John Morse (deceased - 2015) 
    John O’Brien (deceased - 1989)
    Peter O'Grady (deceased – 1993)
    William Ryan (deceased - 1967)
    Michael Toulouse (deceased - 1976)
    Benjamin Trautman (deceased - 1999)

    Franciscan Clergy/Religious

    Berard Connelly (deceased - 1999)
    Louis Ladenburger

    Benedictine Clergy/Religious

    Gerald Dezurick (deceased – 1986)

    Marianist Clergy/Religious

    Augustine Ludwig (deceased - 2007)

    Outside the Diocese/Clergy & Religious

    Joseph Sondergeld (deceased - 1969) (Diocese of Yakima)
    Clarence Vavra (Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis)

    Links to Neighboring Dioceses' Lists of Admitted, Proven or Credibly Accused Clergy 

Mandatory Reporting for Child Abuse & Neglect

Your Duty to Report

CPS Abuse Reporting Forms

All clergy, employees, and volunteers who suspect that a child, youth or vulnerable adult is a victim of abuse or neglect must report the suspected abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agency AND to Child Protective Services (children and youth) or Adult Protective Services (vulnerable adults). Complete the form below before calling the appropriate agency.

CPS Abuse Reporting Form (Español)
CPS Abuse Reporting Form (English)

Protecting Our Children Trifold

Other Helpful Contacts

Helpful Links

Current Audit Letter
Report a Bishop
Education, Prevention & Abuse Reporting

Safeguarding Education and Compliance

Our Commitment

The Catholic Diocese is committed to safeguarding all children, youth, and adults in our care by cultivating a culture of awareness and vigilance. We can never rest from our work to protect those entrusted to our care.  Each year our children and youth participate in Circle of Grace education through which parents, teachers, catechists, and youth ministers give our children and young people the tools they need to protect themselves from those who might harm them and report to a safe adult.  All Church Persons (bishops, clergy, employees, seminarians, and volunteers) participate in safeguarding education and awareness and pass a criminal background check.

Catholic Mutual Safeguarding Education

Contact Us

  • Victoria Loveland

    Safeguarding Ministry

    (509) 358-7338

  • Fabienne Heacox

    Director of Safeguarding Education and Compliance

    (509) 358-7319