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Letter, Lists From Archdiocese of Mobile
Letter, Lists From Archdiocese of Mobile
An image often used for the Church is that the Church is the dawn. That is an apt image. The
dawn testifies that the night is over and that light has conquered the darkness. At the same time,
the dawn is not quite the fullness of the light which is to come. Dawn has a mixture of both light
and darkness. So is the Church. The Church is light since it proclaims that the head of the
Church, the Lord Jesus, has overcome the darkness. However, the Church is made up of sinners
and we sinners often fail to be the people God calls us to be. We cause darkness even as we
proclaim the Light. It is important that when we sin we admit to our sinfulness.
The most vulnerable members of the Church, the children, have been grievously hurt by clergy
and religious, the very people who should have been trusted to help and not to injure. In addition,
the Church has at times failed to act as it should have to immediately protect children and to
promptly remove those who have preyed upon them. To all the people of the Church, and
especially to the victims of child sexual abuse by clergy and religious, I ask for your forgiveness.
From the depths of my heart, I ask your forgiveness.
After considerable prayer and consultation, I have decided to publish the names of all clergy and
religious who have served in the Archdiocese of Mobile since 1950 who have credible
accusations of sexual misconduct with minors against them. This decision was not made lightly.
It is my prayer that this will not re-traumatize anyone but will assist in the healing for which
victims desperately long. I also pray that it will help all the people of the Church, and of the
broader community, to know that the Archdiocese of Mobile is not allowing anyone to minister
in our archdiocese who has credible accusations of sexual misconduct with minors.
Two lists are published with this letter: List One is the list of clergy of the Archdiocese of
Mobile who have been credibly accused of sexual misconduct with minors. List Two is the list of
members of Religious Orders who have served in the Archdiocese of Mobile, both clergy and
non-clergy, who have been credibly accused of sexual misconduct with minors.
It has been a challenge to compile these lists. Each personnel file has been examined. Since 2003
there has been a written policy regarding complaints of sexual abuse of minors: there is an office
for the protection of minors and adults which receives complaints, accusations are reported to
civil authority, and a review board composed mostly of lay people not employed by the
archdiocese reviews the cases and makes recommendations. Before 2003, however, there were a
variety of ways in which accusations were received and investigated and this has presented
challenges in compiling these lists.
These lists have been shared with the Office of the State Attorney General and with the Office of
the District Attorney of Mobile County. But, more importantly, it is being shared with you, the
people of our archdiocese. Some of you may be surprised to see on these lists the name of a
priest who served in your parish and whom you knew well. I pray that God will give you peace
of mind and heart.
I wish to assure you that the Archdiocese of Mobile is committed to following the Charter for the
Protection of Children and Young People which the US bishops enacted in 2002. In doing so
may I draw your attention to two things. As you will notice, almost all these acts of misconduct
were many years ago. That is in no way to excuse the devastating harm of child abuse. The
injury that sexual abuse of a minor inflicts lasts for many years. At the same time, the fact that
these horrible acts of misconduct are many years ago, reflects the commitment of the Church to
protect young people from abuse while they are involved in Church ministries.
The other fact is that, even though one abuser is far too many, these accusations of abuse involve
approximately 2% of the 457 archdiocesan priests who have served in the archdiocese since
1950. (The decades-old records do not make it possible to accurately determine the number of
religious order clerics and non-clerics who have served in the Archdiocese since 1950. I presume
the percentage would be similar.) I wish to take this opportunity to thank you, our good and
faithful clergy and religious who serve in the Archdiocese of Mobile. Thank you for your
ministry. You bring the love of God to many and many to the love of God. I ask all the people of
our Church to pray for and support you.
After considerable effort, these lists are as complete as possible. However, if anyone wishes to
report a cleric or religious not included in these lists, please contact the Office for the Protection
of Minors and Adults, 251-434-1559.
In closing, allow me to again apologize for the devastating harm done by clerics and religious
who have abused the little ones. I ask the forgiveness of all victims of abuse as I entrust you to
the love and mercy of the Lord. I deeply believe the Lord is with us. After all, we are His
Church. Despite our failings, sins, and unfaithfulness, He remains faithful to us and leads us,
individually and as a Church, to new life. May His healing love be with all of us
SPECIAL NOTE:
Cordell Lang (DECEASED) was removed from ministry based upon accusations submitted to
the Archdiocese of Mobile. A civil court jury, however, found in his favor.
Archdiocesan Deacon
Robert L. Nouwen PROHIBITED FROM MINISTRY IN ARCHDIOCESE
Convicted of possession of child pornography
Date of Misconduct: 2012
Pastoral Assignments:
St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Mobile
List Two - Priests and men who are not priests (brothers) who belong to
religious orders and are not clergy of the Archdiocese of Mobile but have
served in this archdiocese.
Brothers
(Members of Religious Orders Who Are Not Priests)
Nicholas Vic Bendillo DECEASED
Date of Misconduct: 1964-1989
Pastoral Assignments:
McGill Institute, Mobile
McGill-Toolen High School, Mobile